Jack moves in

[KIPPY]

Jack had canker at one time and the beak is the result of it. Cindy may have a picture of it. I have pictures but they are in my old computer and I have not transferred them yet.

[elvis_911]

OH .. i never knew they had that effect i've seen a pij with a canker and it looked fine after it was treated i guess its how long its had it for. How does a bird get this? Do pigeons produce diseases that harm humans? Everyone says that.

[cyro51]

Those are beautiful and heartwarming pictures Kim. They look so happy.

Cynthia

[AZWhitefeather]

Jack had canker at one time and the beak is the result of it. Cindy may have a picture of it
Yes, I do Kim. I will post it.

Although the canker affected his eye, throat & mouth, to the point of not being able to close it, his beak appears to be properly aligned. Unfortunately, the effects of the canker seems to have left Jack with a 'scissor' beak.

I think it's important to note that it was recommended, without any misgiving or discussion, that Jack be taken to the vet & have his eye removed ( ) if he was to have any quality of life.

"The canker destroyed the eyelid. There is nothing of any value left there. Additionally, when there is a trauma to the body, an eye can often develop a cataract. Assuming that this is what is developing, the bird is going blind in one eye.
The only hope this bird has is for a vet to remove the eye and close what is left of the eyelid. If not, the remaining tissue will be constantly irritated, cause infection and pain. Use the terramycin ointment but don't give any systemic antibiotics. Unless you take the bird to a vet for surgery, there will be constant infection so how long can you keep a bird on antibiotics?"

While it's advantageous to take heed of all suggetions, advice, etc., that is offered here, it's equally as important to weigh the pro & cons of each situation.
Although the recommendation to take Jack to the vet & request his eye be removed was declined, his quality of life continues to be wonderful.

Cindy

Oops! forgot the picture

[elvis_911]

What do you do when a pigeon has a canker?

[AZWhitefeather]

Originally Posted by elvis_911

What do you do when a pigeon has a canker?

Hi Elvis,
There are a few medications that can be given.
Based on the feral pigeons I have treated, I have had positive results in giving 1 Spartrix a day for three days.
I do, however, continue to keep the pij isolated after the third dose.
When they begin to eat, drink & 'poop' normally & I see no evidence of lingering canker, I then make the decision whether it's time to release them back to their friends.

Others may have a different approach and/or ideas on how they address canker.

Cindy

[cyro51]

Hi Elvis,

Fortunately it is rare for canker to do as much damage as it did to Jack, although I also have a pigeon that was left with a scissor beak as a result. I found him as a squab and he is otherwise a happy, healthy pigeon now.

When I find a pigeon with severe canker I treat with Spartrix for three days and with metrodiazole for ten days, they overlap during the first three days. They are usually completely clear of canker by the 14th day.

If the pigeon can't eat at all because the esophagus is blocked with canker I inject with Hartmann's fluids (I am in the UK and can't remember what these fluids are called in the US). If there is there is the tiniest way through from the mouth the the esophagus then I feed with liquid food such as Kaytee Exact, putting one drop at a time in the bowl of the beak. It takes ages but it is worth the trouble.

It is possible to tube feed a pigeon with canker and I have done it successfully. However, we don't know what nodules will have formed in the esophagus and crop or what damage the gentlest tube will do. Once I was tube feeding a pigeon when it suddenly started to struggle violently. The result was that the tube dislodged a canker nodule which caused a bleed in the esophagus and the pigeon died. That dissuaded me from tube feeding unless there was already a life or death situation.

BTW, humans don't catch canker from pigeons! Nor do other mammals.

Cynthia

[AZWhitefeather]

If the pigeon can't eat at all because the esophagus is blocked with canker I inject with Hartmann's fluids (I am in the UK and can't remember what these fluids are called in the US).
Lactated Ringers is used in the US, which is the equivalent to Hartmann's.

Cindy

[cyro51]

Thanks Cindy!

Cynthia

[KIPPY]

Thanks for posting the picture Cindy and again Thank you for the help. I remember now having a queezy stomache with Jack at the beginning. I ran Jack over to Cindys for the meds.