Need referral for injured pigeon in So. Calif.

[mamalala]

Hi--I'm a new member so plz forgive any klutzy mistakes I make in posting. Warning: this is sorta long.

I rescued a pigeon from some cats (I take care of them, but no they're not mine--long story) and took it to vet. It was unable to fly and had a small hole in neck (bite wound?) plus a small branch was stuck in its body. The vet gave it antibiotics and kept it for about 10 days I think.

Now I have it in landlady's garage because it still won't fly. Keeping it is problematic--house owner (landlady) won't let me put light on in garage, altho I sneak it on for a few hours sometimes. I can't take it outside becz landlady has a lot of cats.

Vet looked at it again and x-rays showed that one side of its neck was swollen, gave me meds--prednisone--to give it for 3 weeks. He seemed to think its neck might be broken but was unsure??!

I'm worried that neither of us knows what we're doing. Pigeon looks okay except that a coupla times he tried to jump out of my hands and fell like a stone (short distance) onto bottom of cage. Yep, that hurt my heart to see that. Am afraid to put it out to fly too early.

Okay, here's other problem. Am recovering from health problems and it affects my ability to tolerate stress+ my thinking is er 99% okay. Have also racked up big credit card bills taking care of cats (yeah they're predators but I love them too) + now pigeon--yikes.

Any recommendations for someone who can look at bird in L.A. area or better yet, take over its care? I know I'm another one in a long line.

Thank you

[Trees Gray]

Hello and thank you for rescuing this pigeon.

Terry Whatley would be the person to contact, as she could take the bird. She is a bird rehabber and moderator on this forum.

You can e-mail her, or PM her. Just click on her name, and you will have the option.

You can also check the link for her contact info:

http://www.pigeon-life.net/prd.htm

[mamalala]

Thank you so much!! - lala

[TAWhatley]

Hi Mamalala .. give me a call 949-584-6696. I'll be happy to take over care of the bird if you can get it to me. I'm in South Orange County in Lake Forest. Thank you so much for assisting this needy pigeon.

The swelling in the neck is probably canker (trichomoniasis), and the prednisone won't do anything to cure that. This could be something else, but canker is very likely.

Terry

[mamalala]

Every time I look at this listing I wind up in tears. Amazing to find so many good people. Reaction I've been getting is to "let nature take its course" and that it would've been better to let the cats eat it (they would've torn the poor thing apart).

Talk about faith restored.... I WILL call - L

[TAWhatley]

We've talked on the phone, and the current plan is for this bird to be coming my way on Monday.

Terry

[andinla]

pretty sure I am heading your way on Sunday I could take the pigeon to you I am going to be celebrating easter in Mission Viejo. Let me know if that would help you out.

Andi

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by andinla

pretty sure I am heading your way on Sunday I could take the pigeon to you I am going to be celebrating easter in Mission Viejo. Let me know if that would help you out.

Andi

Thanks, Andi! I can't figure from my cell phone info what Lala's phone # is ... way too many calls today to know for sure which one she is in that area code. If she sees your post and wants you to bring the bird, that would be great. Lala .. let us know .. Andi is over in the South Bay area, and you would need to get the bird to her. If that would be easier for you, go for it! If not, we'll just go with our original plan for you to bring the bird on Monday.

Terry

[andinla]

If you would like me to transport the pigeon to Terry please call my cell before 10:00 AM Sunday morning I am heading south right by Terry so I could deliver it sooner. I am worried if it has canker it needs meds. I live in El Segundo next to LAX near the beach call my cell 310-612-4826 if you need me to take the bird...thank you

Andi

[mamalala]

Thank you, Andinla! Sorry I had to hurry up--was setting up Easter for kids + had to finish cat shelter... so I didn't look at msgs until today. Thanks for the offer, though.

[TAWhatley]

Lucky, Lala's little teenaged pigeon, arrived a bit ago and is really checking out the new surroundings .. a very curious and observant youngster.

Thank you, Lala, for rescuing Lucky, caring for him/her, and making the long trip down to me.

Terry

[Reti]

Wonderful!!!!
Another great teamwork. You guys are great.

Reti

[mamalala]

Am curious about what Lucky had & relieved that it can finally relax. Wonder what he/she will turn out to have? Terry pointed out that some of its neck movements weren't normal, and at one point it did turn its head completely around to look at me. I had never seen that before.

Interesting that it turned out to be a youngster; I had noticed that it seemed to have grown while I had it (about 4 weeks). Could be that it was just filling out, though.

Terry, am wondering 1) if I should pass on the name of this forum to the vet, in case he comes across this situation again 2) I work for the Times and your efforts & background sound like a good story. Did you have a hand in designing this web site? It's very well done; I'm in charge of a teeny one at work myself.

I WILL send you a contribution to help w/expenses (just have to wait for my check!!) : ) : ) Am happy there are people like u in the world.

- Celia

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by mamalala

Am curious about what Lucky had & relieved that it can finally relax. Wonder what he/she will turn out to have? Terry pointed out that some of its neck movements weren't normal, and at one point it did turn its head completely around to look at me. I had never seen that before.

The head and neck twisting have pretty much subsided. I was concerned at first that it might be signs of PMV or paratyphoid. Neither seems to be the case at this point, but I will be keeping a close eye on Lucky just to be sure.

Interesting that it turned out to be a youngster; I had noticed that it seemed to have grown while I had it (about 4 weeks). Could be that it was just filling out, though.

Lucky is definitely a teenager in pigeon terms and should grow even a bit more.

Terry, am wondering 1) if I should pass on the name of this forum to the vet, in case he comes across this situation again 2) I work for the Times and your efforts & background sound like a good story. Did you have a hand in designing this web site? It's very well done; I'm in charge of a teeny one at work myself.

1) You are certainly welcome to pass on the link to the Pigeon-Talk forum if you care to. Some vets would appreciate this and others would take offense.

2) I have had a lot of stories done about my rescue and rehab work over the years, so maybe the Times would like to do a story about the Pigeon-Talk discussion board and the varied interests of our members here and the many different breeds of pigeons that are discussed here.

3) The site design and organization are the work of the site owner and the site administrator. That would be Bigbird (Carl Sr.) and Googull (Carl Jr.). I just "work" here

I WILL send you a contribution to help w/expenses (just have to wait for my check!!) : ) : ) Am happy there are people like u in the world.

Donations are always welcome but certainly not required or expected.

I finally did get a picture of Lucky posted .. it is in this group: http://www.rims.net/2007Apr11

Terry