foot fell off what to do now with stump

[Trees Gray]

Hi Dave,

Can you supply us with a picture of the stump so others here can make suggestions?

[LondonPigeon]

I nearly vomited when I saw the picture

I dont understand why it happened to the pigeon either

I hope this is only a rare case of what can happen to pigeon pets, becuase I wouldn't be able handle things like this

I fell really sick

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by LondonPigeon

I dont understand why it happened to the pigeon either

I hope this is only a rare case of what can happen to pigeon pets, becuase I wouldn't be able handle things like this

Hi LondonPigeon,

This particular pigeon is a feral pigeon that Dave rescued when he noticed how badly injured the feet were. Unfortunately string entanglement (can be hair, string, fishing line) is fairly common in feral pigeons. They are also subject to attacks by predators (be they birds, animals, or humans) and often suffer horrific injuries from these attacks. They also can fly into windows, walls, power lines, and do significant damage. Then there are all the nasty diseases that they can get.

All in all, life for a feral pigeon can be pretty rough at times, and I'm always so happy when someone takes the time and makes the effort to help a needy bird or animal.

Terry

[LondonPigeon]

Originally Posted by TAWhatley

Hi LondonPigeon,

This particular pigeon is a feral pigeon that Dave rescued when he noticed how badly injured the feet were. Unfortunately string entanglement (can be hair, string, fishing line) is fairly common in feral pigeons. They are also subject to attacks by predators (be they birds, animals, or humans) and often suffer horrific injuries from these attacks. They also can fly into windows, walls, power lines, and do significant damage. Then there are all the nasty diseases that they can get.

All in all, life for a feral pigeon can be pretty rough at times, and I'm always so happy when someone takes the time and makes the effort to help a needy bird or animal.

Terry

oh ok

I didnt mean to offend anyone when I said I felt sick, but thats how I felt when I saw the image

I hope the pigeon is ok

[Pidgey]

Oh, not to worry, LondonPigeon, you didn't offend anyone. It certainly affects me when I see stuff like that, too, but I'm battle-hardened, as many here are. We just recoil from the initial shock and get down to the "what can we do" part much faster.

Pidgey

[cyro51]

Hi London Pigeon,

John and I transported a pigeon across the country to Helen/Nooti (one of our moderators).

As soon as she examined it the foot fell off and blood started to spurt everywhere. Like you I felt sick and had to leave the room. The pigeon survived (eventually both feet were lost), and Helen told me waht she had done to save his life. When I was faced with the same situation I was able to cope. That is the way it goes....you feel nauseous when someone else deals with it, but when a life is in your hands your focus changes and you are able to cope.

Cynthia

[pdpbison]

Hi LondonPigeon,


These things are often hard on me also...my 'body' and emotions recoil or cringe or I get weak knees.

Too, this image shows dramatically, why many of us do in fact watch closely for signs of string, thread, hair, or fine fibres from untwisted synthetis yarns or other, which occur on the feet of Pigeons, likely from their having gatherd such when building Nests for their Babys, and then tromped around on it after.

I catch them when I can from my 'own' feral flock here...

Thankfully, the vast majority of instances I have encountered are not yet critical, or, at times, there is the loss of a Toe possibly.

I do not believe there are any materials in Nature which could get them into these kinds of troubles...but the advent of casually disposed of synthetic lines, threads, sometimes longish human hair, or odd very fine fire threads of I know not what provenance that is very stong and even much smaller than human hair in diameter...once tangled in their Feet, can just keep tightening and tightening somehow...in it's winds and tangles...


Phil
Las Vegas

[TAWhatley]

Hi LondonPigeon .. nobody was at all offended at what you felt when you saw that awful picture of the foot. I was merely trying to point out that such injuries are not uncommon. I, too, have had birds come in where I wasn't really sure if I was going to toss my cookies or not or perhaps even faint .. but, as Pidgey, Phil, and Cynthia have posted, you quickly get yourself back together and do what you can for the bird or animal.

Terry

[daveerin]

Hello to all following the progess of pij. At 5:30 pm she is resting, she got water and food and I have slathered on more antibiotic and covered her stump with a gauze tube fashioned over the barrel of an inkpen, and taped around with papertape and it makes quite a good bandage. I slipped it over the stump on top of the a/b and it looks as though it will hold for a while, and keep the end clean and provide a bumping buffer juist in case she touches down.. Couldn't tape it to her leg as her skin is very sensitive--just touching brings on spasms. I gave her antibiotic in her water and also fed her some with eyedroppper. She is quite calm for a wild pigeon. She's a bit cramped in the small box but it keeps her from moving around too much. Tomorrow the bigger box. She had sunshine and fresh air this morning. More tomorrow, thanks to all of you for your caring suggestions and comments.
dave

[pdpbison]

Hi Dave,


Sounds very good...

And 'warmth' of course for them...(sorry, I forget if that had been mentioned? But if it had not, you know, an Electric Heating pad, set up so she can be on it or off of it...set to 'medium' maybe if your clime is a cooler one, with a soft towell over it, and even a rumpled small towell for an inviting lay-cusion, on top of that...)

The Sunshine and Freash Air are excellent...

Their appetite is good?

Phil
el ve

[LondonPigeon]

I'm glad the pigeon is alive and calm

becuase much worse could have happened.

[daveerin]

Hello,
pij has made it through another night, her "fever" seems to be gone this morning (her body was quite hot to the touch for awhile), she had food and water and is resting. I think from this point on, it will be her own system doing what it can to help her recover. She stood on her "good" foot for a bit this morning so it is working. Thanks to all for your posts and hepful information. This is an example where people all over the world can help via their connection to the net. THis is when the technology shines. A world of helpful experience at my fingertips and I an greatful and pij will survive because of what I got from all of you.
many thanks for sharing and caring. I'll post a release note when she's ready .
dave

[pdpbison]

Hi Dave,


Very glad to here of their feeling better..!

Thank you for helping tis Pigeon with your good work!

Phil
Las Vegas

[daveerin]

Hello everybody,
Pij was doing very well and started wingslapping me when I changed the water so I decided the day was today since she was feeling her oats. I returned to where I got her, put her on the lawn when she couldn't believe she was free to go, stretched her wings after 7 days of cramped quarters, and flew up to the garage roof. She was welcomed back by her mate who flew down from his perch on the utility pole, did a dance and circled several times and then headed for the chow. It took perhaps 1/2 hour for her to get her bearings, exercise her wings a bit and off she went, her mate in tow. It is definitely a happy ending for her. She has one good functioning leg and foot that is soft, halix is folded under but the toes work, her stump is clean and looks like it will scab over, she had no fever that I could feel, and she flew steadily. I couldn't more for her than that.
Thanks again to all for your very helpful advice .
dave

[mr squeaks]

Love those happy endings!