WalkerPigeon friend of PlacidoPigeon ~ sick?

[4zpigeons]

I've now been in contact via email with Renee's friend... (thank you) and have found Sulmet via the web.
Walker appears much the same, just hanging out... enjoying the day.
~ 4zp.

[4zpigeons]

An Update: Walker has moved from the tent to the suite (approx.28h,28w,58l) and appears much happier. ~ The pot has also made the move. Too Walker and PlacidoP can see one another... Which they seem to enjoy.
In recent days I've been able to observe Walker for longer periods = I'm now thinking Walkers 'illness' is more of a flight issue - I see one wing droop a bit more than the other. Something I probably missed when I first met Walker. Walker is starting to stretch, lift and move both wings / something I haven't seen until recent days.
On Walkers more 'personal' health - Eating, drinking and personal doings look better than the earlier days.
Until...
~ 4zp.

[4zpigeons]

An update: I feel horrible and embarrased about this... As Walker earned his name for walking about the yard I missed his foot... he has a limp.
I apologize for not knowing what to call these areas - even after looking at the skeletal drawings = currently lost.
I believe when I first handled Walker I did a poor job and missed this.
Yesterday I handled Walker to find his left wing springs back and the right is slow. The right wing also droops a bit more than the left. There also appears to be more of a bump on the right wing side. If the photo shows anything the feathers are slightly lifted on the one side. When resting both wings appear to fall out more than I've seen on other resting pigeons. Again I may have missed this because Walker was always resting in the pigeonpot...
Sorry about the covered head - Walker expressed strong flapping when seeing open sky... = both wings are mobile. The right is simply weaker.
For the little left foot and ankle: The ankle appears swollen and the bottom (like a cats pad) appears swollen. Hopefully the photos show this. I did attempt photos of the bottom of the foot / tried cropping etc - but they just weren't clear. ~ I also did a closer view of the wing and again unclear.
Walker is no longer hanging in his pot / prefers the ground. I'm thinking its too high and difficult. I added stepping stones / but no interest. I've added some softness to his suite / however Walker prefers the ground and to prop up against the wall. Stays close to the food / water... Still quite trusting - even after my neglect... recent probing and suite cleaning.
Hopefully I'll have better news next time. As always if you have any advice for Walkers benefit I'd love to hear.
Thank you.
~ 4zp.

[4zpigeons]

An Update: Today again I washed Walkers foot (feet)... The one is still swollen and Walker still limps. However, eating and drinking and looks more alert than when we first met. Unfortunately the foot appears to be quite uncomfortable. I've put linens under to soften the floor which seems to help. Is there anything more that I should do?
Thank you.
~ 4zp.

[TAWhatley]

Is Walker still (or ever was) on Sulmet? You probably need a different antibiotic for that foot problem .. the foot soaks are good, but probably not enough to resolve things.

Terry

[Pidgey]

I've been in and out too much lately (my lights are on but nobody's home) and so missed this. Okay, you want to get Walker on some Baytril (Enrofloxacin; the veterinary version of Ciprofloxacin, which is used in us and is just as good if you can get it) for starters. You'd have to either get it from a vet or from a very few pigeon supply houses like here:

http://vitakingproducts.com/storefronta.htm

Click on the Antibiotics and scroll down to the drugs that say "Enroxil" or "Enrofloxan". The 10% liquid is by far the best buy but you don't need anywhere near that much. It's either that or one of us is going to have to send you some quickly. Can you get some from a vet?

Pidgey

[gingerpoo]

as far as his wing, being an old break there is nothing that can be done. but it makes it all the more important for him to have both feet to stand on, otherwise he may develop bumble foot and other foot related problems.

[4zpigeons]

Thank you... After having my 'local' sulmet search / avian vet search I chose to order the 10% enrofloxan liquid... Not that I want to have a use for it ~ but I do have feathered friends that may need it in the future. I also see sulmet at this site.
Thank you for the link... and help ~ always appreciated!
~ 4zp.

[4zpigeons]

Update: zAntibiotics arrived a few days ago. It was very exciting around here / and they threw in a sample of red grit... Much cheering from the infirmary and zsecretgarden.
Walker has been taking the antibiotic ~ A few days ago Walker was perched on top of a brick and today he was jumping down and out of my way and walking quickly to the otherside of the cage < as opposed to staying on perch. After closing the door, Walker quickly walked back to the brick and hopped up with the assistance of a flap or two.
AND the swelling has noticeably gone down. Very exciting!
~ 4zp.

[Pidgey]

Oh, that's wonderful! We need all the happy endings we can get around here.

Pidgey

[4zpigeons]

So very true! I'll keep you posted.
~4zp.

[4zpigeons]

Update...:
Walker is still here and the foot / ankle looks good. Eating and getting around. Appears healthier than past days... But not healthy enough to fly. Still limps a fair bit.
Walker has a friend ~ IndiGO. IndiGO showed up one day in a rain storm. Waiting for me by the back door. I brought IndiGO in from the storm for the day and evening and tried letting s/he go the following day. IndiGO wouldn't go / wouldn't fly... another walking pigeon.
I since turned Walkers suite into a duplex and there they co-existed until IndiGO remodeled and joined Walker. I've since remodled and they have 'lofts' of there own. They continue to share the space and seem to be fine. On occassion I give IndiGO the option to leave... and won't. Too when I try to catch s/he there is a lot of grunting... and this bird gets so far out of my reach.
Interesting... We'll see. I'm remodeling the garage, insulating etc ~ creating a safe dry space for the cooler months should any to all decide to stay for awhile longer.
~ 4zp.

[Pidgey]

Sometimes, they're left with inflammatory damage from an infection that can take months to heal or fix. I've treated birds with Paratyphoid or other illness boils that the physical joints had enlarged. I've got one bird that's taken over a year to "remodel" the joint to something approaching its former self so these things happen. You probably ought to run IndiGO through an antibiotic course, too.

Pidgey

[4zpigeons]

IndiGO actually showed up around the time the antibiotics arrived = receiving the antibiotic. An interesting bird. Really stays in one place. Clearly eats and moves about, however returns to the same spot (= poops pile up = easy clean up / should I be permitted). Too, I understand that this might be normal ~ I've just never seen it before... and yes poops appear normal.
Antibiotic: I followed the directions for the days noted on the bottle. I shouldn't be repeating this for any extended period / right? They are eating, drinking etc.. Swelling is gone.
Winter home: I've been working in the garage ~ adding insulation and filling holes with concrete... Still shopping for a good 'heat source'... etc. No matter making space for those that should need a winter home. ~ Owly was comfortable last winter... I just want to spruce all up and create a better space should I have more than one resident this winter...
~ 4zp.

[Pidgey]

You're likely to have a very nasty winter, too. Birds who have been badly sick often have especial troubles in winter and often need supplemental heat. I've got one or two that I have to watch closely and will often bring in during the colder stints.

Pidgey