Dogs and Pigeons

[Crystal_One]

I heard that dog's saliva is poisonous to pigeons. Is this true?



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=Laurel

[cyro51]

Hi Laurel,

All mammals (including humans) can carry the pasteurella bacteria in their saliva, it is harmeless to mammals but can be fatal to birds. This is why it is so important to put a bird that has been caught by a cat or dog on antibiotics even if there is no puncture wounds.

I just came across a website that advises cat owners to wash their hands after touching a cat and befor touching a bird.
http://www.cockatielcottage.net/cats.html

Cynthia

[iH8animalH8ers]

I recently found a pigeon (not one w/ an owner) and the people who gave it to me to take care of said they found 2 cats that were after it. I don't know if the cats' saliva toched him, but do I still need to put it on atiobiodics? Even if it's wild?

[maryco]

Hello iH8animalH8ers,

Yes if the wild bird has been attacked by the cats then this could be fatal.

Check the bird out well for any sign of puncture wounds, also you said the tail was not in such a good condition (maybe the cat got it?) and if the bird preens himself I don't know but he might end up getting sick.

Mary