Kamakazi Pigeon

[arnieismybaby]

Hi all,

Ages since I've been here - although I do still look out for the little ones - as Tania would probably tell you. About 6 weeks or so I rushed in a sick pigeon to the Wildcare Centre where Tania works - sadly the pigeon lost his life.

So to my next patient - I'm off sick today and have been watching the birds in my garden struggling with the atrocious wind and rain. One pigeon kept catching my eye. He seems to be walking/running okay, even seems okay when he is flying, but his landing is simply terrible. He seems to always end up falling onto his side. He also seems not to be completely aware of danger. Whilst the other pigeons take flight when they sense danger, this one continues eating oblivious.

I've finally managed to catch him, and put him in a cage with some food, a towel to lean again and some water.

My question is - in all respects the bird looks well - eyes even look fine - what can be causing the lopsided landing and so called unawareness of danger.

And should I keep him over night or do you think its safe to release him?

Thanks as ever for any useful info.

Michelle

p.s. Charging my camera to try and take a picture of him.

[Feefo]

Hi Michelle,

He could have PMV, in which case he shouldn't be released. He should go to Pigeon Recovery as London Wildcare euthanase PMV sufferers. Maybe you could work with canaryjayne on this one?

Cynthia

[arnieismybaby]

Hi Cynthia,

Thanks for getting back. I had already spoken to Tania and had intended to maybe meet up with her tomorrow if the pigeon was no better.

From watching him, have also come to the conclusion he has PMV. His head is now twitching and he is having a lot of probs picking up the food - merely hitting his beak on the cup. Because I'm not 100% myself - suffering with a stomach virus - and my little Arnie is having respiratory probs again, not sure if he can catch this PMV thing. I decided to try and find the veterinary surgery that the local RSPCA take the injured wildlife too. Have found it, spoken to them, and they have assured me that if the pigeon is in the early stages of PMV and their surgeon believes the bird will recover, then they will treat it and not put the bird to sleep. Despite my huge dislike of using the RSPCA, I have to put my faith in the veterinary surgery and hope that they treat the little one. At least I know where the vets is - just 15 mins or so down the road from me by car - so I can later on telephone and check up on him.

Here are a few pics









It such a shame because he is a beautiful bird and his eyes do seem reasonably alert.

Will keep you updated if and when I receive any news.

Michelle

[John_D]

Hi Michelle

One problem with PMV birds is how a vet might define 'recover'. It is simply not possible for a vet - or anyone else - to make any judgement on how well such a pigeon will recover. There is actually no treatment a vet can provide for PMV, and it it just has to run its course with supportive care. A vet who knows anything about PMV should know that. It is also a notifiable disease of pigeons (though that's mainly because if racing pigeons get it, it could be spread to other lofts) so if a vet is aware of this, particularly one associated with the RSPCA.....well, your guess is as good as mine.

If this one is in a different room to Arnie and you wash hands after handling this one, should not be any problem. I would be willing to come get the pigeon, but cannot do until Saturday, having had three of them here for several weeks, and now taken them to our aviary.

John

[arnieismybaby]

Hi John,

Thanks for offering to collect him.

Actually the RSPCA guy has just been. He loves wildlife and actually helped and donated £2000 to build a wildlife rescue center at the vets I was talking about. I actually didn't know this, which is good news because now I know I have somewhere close to drop off sick/injured pigeons.

The RSPCA guy also tries to rehabilitate sick birds too. He has taken my pigeon but it unable to take it to the vets because they are now closed, so he is going to take the pigeon home with him and start the course of medication/care to try and get the pigeon well again. He is off work until Wednesday and if he thinks he is not doing much good, he will drop the pigeon off at the vets.

I'm hopeful that I've done the best for him - he is a little underweight and in the last few hours has turned more to water - which I have ensured he has had access to but without drowning in it!

I am hoping that they will keep me advised - still my little pigeon has a friend - he has a red pigeon in his van - also underweight with suspected PMV - would be good if both birds recovered fully.

Unfortunately trying to keep Arnie out of the room has been a nightmare - I think I should rename him Hodini (sp?) - he managed to get into the room on 3 occasions - no matter how bloomin careful I've been. Arghhh now I'm paranoid and will probably spend the night worrying about him now.

Michelle

[maryjane]

Michelle, it's great to hear from you! I'm glad you popped in. I hope your little pijie does well.

[John_D]

Hi Michelle,

It's unlikely that just getting into the room would cause a problem for Arnie. There would be a risk if two birds were kept in the same room for a period, but even then it would not necessarily follow that the virus would be picked up by the other bird.

Sounds like he has a good a chance as any with this chap. With my three, it was more a matter of ensuring they got sufficient nourishment, and built up some weight and strength than anything else, so it was feeding 'em and giving them vitamins that helped. The virus is out of the system after six weeks from symptoms appearing, but they can be (frequently are) left with the neurological problems which can take weeks or months to go (if ever).

Take care of yerself

John

[arnieismybaby]

Originally Posted by maryjane

Michelle, it's great to hear from you! I'm glad you popped in. I hope your little pijie does well.

Hi Maryjane - isn't it terrible that I'm always so busy to visit the numerous forums I'm on until I have an emergency Still it always good to know that the most trusted pigeon experts are here Hello to you and trust you are keeping well. I'm keeping all crossed that my pij pulls through.

Michelle

[arnieismybaby]

Originally Posted by John_D

Hi Michelle,

It's unlikely that just getting into the room would cause a problem for Arnie. There would be a risk if two birds were kept in the same room for a period, but even then it would not necessarily follow that the virus would be picked up by the other bird.

Sounds like he has a good a chance as any with this chap. With my three, it was more a matter of ensuring they got sufficient nourishment, and built up some weight and strength than anything else, so it was feeding 'em and giving them vitamins that helped. The virus is out of the system after six weeks from symptoms appearing, but they can be (frequently are) left with the neurological problems which can take weeks or months to go (if ever).

Take care of yerself

John

I've just realised you live in West Sussex - actually good to know that - my mother lives in East Sussex so if I really have a major pigeon crisis and you are able to take the bird - I can then persuade my mum to drive down to me and pick the bird up and drop it off. She won't take much persuading, shes as stupid as I am when it comes to animals.

Glad your three birds are now on the road to recovery - it amazes me the wonderful work people like you do. I'm sure if I didn't have Arnie (and I wasn't so paranoid ) my house would be full of the little guys I rescue.

Thank you for putting my mind at ease concerning Arnie - I've had quite a week one way or the other - what with losing my closest friend of 25 years - and to lose Arnie would just about finish me off I think!

Thanks again for your help - and hoping that the RSPCA guy remembers to keep me advised. Take care.

Michelle

[kittypaws]

Originally Posted by cyro51

Hi Michelle,

He could have PMV, in which case he shouldn't be released. He should go to Pigeon Recovery as London Wildcare euthanase PMV sufferers. Maybe you could work with canaryjayne on this one?

Cynthia

I would like to stress that euthansing pigeons is not a decision that London Wildcare takes lightly. Over half of our patients in the autumn and winter are pigeons, with foxes and squirrels trailing next. We do, in every case assess the patient and decide on the best course of treatment with the quality of life of the animal/ bird being paramount.

When I first joined London Wildcare in early 2007, we had over 15 birds with PMV, mostly pigeons and these birds were force fed three times a day to keep them alive for a period of approximately 13 weeks with none of them recovering from this awful virus. Force feeding can be quite traumatic for adult birds and if the birds were showing no signs of recovery then the decison was made on the quality of life they would have. Statistics held by the Centre on all PMV pigeons admitted over the years showed only 2% actually making a good recovery so....... the decison to euthanase suspected PMV pigeons ( all suspect cases are kept for a minimum of 48 hours if not more in case it is something else causing the problem) is a very difficult one but is considered if it is in the bird's best interest re their quality of life.

Of course if Pigeon Recovery have the resources to care for PMV pigeons then that is fine, but I find the statement a little blunt about the euthanisation of PMV pigeons at London Wildcare as there is a lot of assessment and experience that goes into that very difficult decison.

If you could see the flock that London Wildcare has on the roof ( mostly ex patients) you will see that there are approximately 200 healthy looking birds that are fed 3 times a day which have the added bonus of being on site should they fall ill with anything. That is another reason that PMV sufferers are humanely put to sleep as they are a risk to the very healthy flock that we have in situ plus all in patients even though strict isolation and cleanliness is followed with suspect cases.

Tania xx

[arnieismybaby]

Hi Tania!

Was going to text you later to let you know that I had called in the RSPCA to take him. I'm not feeling so good and at the moment pretty sure I will not be going to work tomorrow - and I really wasn't sure how this PMV would affect Arnie so wanted to ensure that the pigeon was taken care off today. I know you had already said that the chances were if it was PMV then he would be put to sleep. I think I had resigned myself to this - but if there is a small chance this little one can live - maybe it will finally bring a smile to my miserable old mug. I'm sure there is another pigeon just waiting in the wings (excuse the pun).

Hope you are feeling a little better than when we chatted earlier.

Michelle