Pigeon fell on fire!

[pigeonperson]

Duckgirl,
If you think his feet are burned, then rub a small amount of antibiotic ointment into them to prevent a skin infection. Try to keep the ointment off of his feathers. If you have any Silverdene cream, that would be the best to use because that is used for burns.
You still have to pluck the tail feathers not only that they all grow back at the same time but for you to be able to see if he has any burns on the skin in that area.

[cyro51]

If you have any Silverdene cream, that would be the best to use because that is used for burns.

I don't think we have that in the UK, nor do we have Dawn. I think I remember that our equivalent of Dawn is Fairy Liquid. Siverdene is (apparently) SSD in the UK, but Germolene would probably have the same effect. When I accidentally burn my fingers( which is often) I use Germolene Antiseptic First Aid Wash, it has a local anaesthetic in it which really reduces the pain.

Cynthia

[pigeonpoo]

One of my pigeons fell down the chimney and was covered in soot. I bathed him in Fairy Liquid in warm water as I was worried that he'd preen and ingest the soot which is probably toxic. If he hasn't any burns on his body then don't be afraid to give him a good rub to remove the soot, take care not to wet his ears or head though. Dry him as much as possible by blotting in towels and then leave him somewhere warm to dry. If he has burned feet, then a hairdrier or a heating pad would, I imagine be painful for him. Sudafed is good for burns if you have that in.

[Birdbabe]

just wondering.hows that pidgie doing?

[DuckGirl]

Ok, i went to the London for the weekend for an important meeting so he was left in the care of my mum! He was generally ok then today i went in and took him out of the run and put him on the floor or the inside duck enclosure so he couls stretch his legs/wings and i noticed he didnt want to put any weight on his right foot, which i think looks swollen too compared to his left. And the feathers on his breast bone have gone. Not entirely sure where, but all you can see is red/pink skin. He is still drinking, and eating a small amount but i dont think he is putting any weight on or getting any better. Am getting really worried now

[sabina]

Duckgirl,

Firstly, you need to supplement this bird's nutrition by hand-feeding, either puppy chow or formula. That is very important in order for the pij to maintain some strength and be able to heal.

Secondly, it seems like the burn wound may be infected, possibly spreading from the foot to the breast area. Does the breast area seem swollen and hot? Systemic antibiotics would be the best, if you could get some cephalexin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, or ciprofloxacin. Is it possible to get any antibiotics? The ones I named are available for people.

Is it possible to get the bird to a vet?

Sabina

[sabina]

Also--

Have you/your mom been applying any topical antibiotic (ointment) to the foot?

Can you say anything else about how the feathers may have fallen off? Do any other birds/animals have access to where the pigeon is being kept? Did you find the feathers which had fallen? How big of an area is missing feathers? Can you post any pictures?

Hope things are going a little better there!

Sabina

[DuckGirl]

Where can you buy that stuff from? Remember i am from the UK so we dont have some of the stuff you guys have. I might just take him to the vets, they are probably more qualified than me. Let them find out whats wrong then i know how to properly look after him.

I'll try and get some photos. He hasnt lost that many feathers on his chest, but it is obvious that he has. And his foot is quite a lot bigger than the other one. And where there are meant to be feathers at the top of his leg, there arent that many left. He is also looking really scragly now. Like a human when they have greasy hair.

Ill try and get some photos and post them. He is eating and drinking. I just think his foot might be causing him the most problem. Should i keep him inside? Or is it ok for him to go outside every now and then?

[Pidgey]

He probably doesn't feel like going outside. When they're hurt and sick, they just prefer safety and after a few days, they often get the idea that it's safer in the house even with humans that they don't know or understand. Sometimes they even bond with people.

Anyhow, getting pigeons treated in the UK is often kinda' tough and a vet might even prefer to put the bird down as to treat it properly and give it a chance--it's always hard to tell what you're going to get. Looks like Cynthia (cyro51) has already posted some information on stuff to use for burns--have you looked into getting that product?

Pidgey

[TheSnipes]

I would keep that bird quiet. If his foot is inflamed / swollen there is likely infection and he needs to be kept quiet so he can use his strength fighting off infection. especially if he is not getting any antibiotics to help. It is possibly quite painful. I hope you do find a vet that will treat him.

[pdpbison]

Hi Duckgirl,



I htink they sell 'Over the Counter' Topical Antibiotic Ointments at 'Chemists' ( Pharmacys ) over there...here, 'Neosporin' is a favored Brand, but other similar products exist, usually costing about what a Sandwhich would in a Cafe.


Anyway, Burns are peculiar sorts of injurys and prone to infection...so, in my view anyway, it would be good to gently massage in some 'Neosporin' or the likes, onto his Feet...and to do that ohhhhhh, once-a-day anyway for the next week or so.

And, as others have mentioned, keep him comfortable, in a quiet place, keep him warm, drape his Cage even with a sheet or something on three sides, and keep him provided with nice Seeds and Water, and no 'outside' for the time being.

He's going to need a couple weeks anyway of rest and recovery and as little stress as possible.


Good luck..!


Phil
l v

[Larry_Cologne]

Hello Duckgirl and Phil, and others,

I wanted to buy the German equivalent of Bacitracin antibiotic ointment (which I had used in the U.S. years ago) over the counter at a local pharmacy (Apotheke, in German, for apothecary). The only thing the pharmacist would sell me was an iodine-based ointment. Said I needed a prescription from doc or vet, otherwise. I had wanted it on hand for string-foot-tangled pigeons.

When I took pigeon Rosie with the broken left wing, on October 29th, to the Taubenklinik Essen (pigeon clinic, for racing and show pigeons), I informed him that I had made a mess on the feathers with the greasy iodine ointment. He said he would have used a spray.

Upon reading your post, Phil, it occurred to me that I failed to ask him what spray he used, and where I could get it. So, I will try to find out what he recommends for feathery areas, and what's best on areas without feathers such as feet.

This is an interesting, easy to read link on antibiotic ointments. I was researching a bit to find out what was available in Britain, and if there is concern about bacterial resistance or increasing resistance to topical ointments.

http://www.answers.com/topic/antibio...cal?cat=health

Larry