Blood in Stool?

[pige-oto]

I found a young pigeon today, with a few yellow down feathers still poking out. But not many. I found him in my alley today with a cat about 12 inches away. It looked like I got there just in time since he didn't seem to be injured- he was walking fine and was lively but wary of me, able to flap his wings but no underfeathers so no flight. However, he most likely fell from the nest. The only thing he has taken so far today is water from a dropper, and he seemed very excited about it, peeping and fluffing his wings a bit. He started to recognize that my approach meant something good for him and became comfortable around me. I had to leave for a few hours and upon my return i found a few bits of liquidy waste that seemed to have some red in them. Is this blood? What does it suggest? I was thinking about taking him to an avian vet, but thought I would ask first.
Also, I have been feeding him total (the cereal) mashed up in water but he doesn't seem to like it all that much, but favors the water for now. I was going to pick up some bird formula since he seems to be favoring the liquid stage. I've gotten alot of good advice from reading the posts on this site and it has helped the bird and I grow more comfortable. I hope the red is not serious.

[fred128]

Most of the time, we all work in darkness on the internet because we don't actually have the bird in our hands so it's really rough and irresponsible to make a diagnosis and recommend treatment. All that can be done is to offer some possibilities and that is all they are, possibilities.
The first thing that comes to mind is that this may be a salmonella infection. Birds infected with this can sometimes show blood in the droppings. For this, the only treatment is with an antibiotic that hits this illness. There is a parasite that can also cause some blood in the droppings and that is Coccidiosis. Bloody droppings don't always happen but somethimes they do.
The third is injury. The baby did fall from a nest and could have suffered some kind of injury that is causing internal bleeding.
Since I have medicines for these birds, I would have given the bird one pill called Appertex that would cover the chance that this is Coccidiosis. To cover the chance that this is Paratyphoid (salmonella) I would have started an antibiotic that hits most of the strains. The drug is called Enrofloxacin (Baytril). the problem with Baytril in babies is that it temporarily stops the bone plates from growing but sometimes there is no choice. Then I would have taken the bird to a vet in order to try to determine if this is internal injury. Sometimes an injection of a cortico-steroid can stop internal bleeding.
In the meantime, the bird has to be taught how to drink. Put his beak into a cup of water for a second and if he drinks, you will know. If not, put the beak back into the water for a second or a third time until he starts to drink.
Since you don't know how to tube feed, buy some Purina Puppy Chow, throw the pieces into water for a couple of seconds, open the mouth and feed piece by piece. We don't know how small the bird is so to play it safe, give 15 pieces at most. If the mouth is too small to take one complete piece of the Chow, cut the pieces in half and give 30 halves. Feed every twelve hours. One of the advantages of Puppy Chow is that it goes down wet so the bird will be getting water in addition to the nutrition the food offers.
Don't feed seed to quickly. The bird may not be able to digest it because of its young age. Also, he may throw it up if there is infection or injury to the digestive system. Seed is heavy. Throw away any sunflower seeds still in the shell. They tend to obstruct in a baby bird.
This is not an easy situation. Very few are so you may lose this bird but thanks very much for giving it your best shot. If the bird lives, it will be because of your compassion and the work you will be willing to put into him.
If you do get a diagnosis for the bird, please let us know.

[Trees Gray]

Thank you for helping this young bird.

Make sure the bird is warm and in a dry, draft free area, free of traffic. Heating pad on low setting for 20 minutes under a towel where he can sit will help.

It is crucial to get some soaked puppy chow and breaking it up in small pieces, and feeding it to him, if you can't get the baby bird formula.

I think at this point it would be wise to seek out an avian vet who is "pigeon friendly" or rehabber to deal with the issue of the blood in the stool.

Treesa

[pige-oto]

Thanks very much for all of your help. The bird was active and cheerful this morning, pruning himself and doing the friendly shaking of the wings at his feeding times. Concerned about the blood in the stool I took him to a local wildlife rescue. They assure me that he will be released in the same location in which he was found. I feel much better that experienced folk are taking care of this young'n.

[Trees Gray]

Thank you for taking action to get this youngster to a pigeon friendly rehab.Did they tell you what the blood in the stool might be?

Treesa

[pige-oto]

No, they didn't make an indication of the cause. They will send me an update as to his condition, it's by snail mail so I don't know how soon. But I'll post it here for anyone who might be curious. Thanks again to all.