Pigeon with Broken wing

[Jane]

Hello,

We found a pigeon last night sitting on the road side, we caught it and it is now sitting in a cardboard box in the back room (with food and water). It looks like it has damage to its wing. The wing is not drooped but it is held away from the body and I think there is a bone that has broken the skin near the top of the wing (there is no blood). Apart from its wing the bird apppears healthy. If I take it to the vet I know it will be put to sleep. Is there a way of mending a break like this? I would be grateful for any suggestions!

[maryco]

Hello and thanks for helping this pigeon out

I'm not really experienced with broke wings much but perhaps it could be dislocated?

If you take him to the vet would he really put him to sleep?
Maybe a wildlife rehab centre might be able to help.. I see you live in the UK, We have afew members from the UK and they might be able to help you..

Mary

[John_D]

Hi Jane,

Do you know if it is the local vet's policy to put pigeons to sleep if they are injured in this way? If not, it could be worth explaining that you would like the bird treated and given back to you. From that point, it will depend on whether you feel you could care for a possible grounded pigeon. (I couldn't say if the wing may heal sufficiently for him/her to fly properly.)

Whether you can do anything yourself depends if you have any experience in treating injured birds. I would expect the wing would need to be immobilised in the correct position.

There are only a few of us on the list in the UK, unfortunately. Can you give us a rough indication of which part of UK you are in? (I am in Sussex, and I know two others in E Anglia and Lancashire).

I'm sure other members from all over will soon pick this up.

John (UK)

[cyro51]

Hi Jane,

If the bone is protruding it will need treatment soon because there is the danger of infection. There are vets that will treat feral pigeons (and there are vets that won’t). The RSPCA would destroy it.

There are also sanctuaries that could help: Carla Lane’s place and Brent Lodge (both down South) .

Feral pigeons settle very well in aviaries and I can offer it a permanent home if it doesn’t recover (I am in Norwich). Let us know where you are and we can take it from there.

Cynthia

[cyro51]

This link might help you deal with the immediate problem!
http://members.aol.com/duiven/recove....htm#FRACTURES

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All beings are fond of themselves, they like pleasure, they hate pain, they shun destruction, they like life and want to live long. To all, life is dear; hence their life should be protected.

-Mahavira

[Jane]

A big thankyou to everyone who has posted a reply!
I live in Welwyn Garden City In Hertfordshire. I have seen the link about fractured wings but the wing is held away from the body and I don't want to cause the bird any further pain. I will try the local vet but from experience they don't tend to be sympathetic. I've been trying to find a local Wildlife Rescue organisation that may be able to help, does anyone know of one in my area? Thank you Jane

[raynjudy]

Check the "Resources" link above for tips on caring for your little charge.

I would suggest that you get a "commit" on any wildlife shelter's policy regarding pigeons before handing the bird over. Here in the states many shelters systematically euthanize injurred pigeons and they will not return the bird to you once it's handed over!

This injury is treatable and needs to be tended to. The odds of a localized and systemic infection are very good in cases like these, and it's a slow and agonizing death.

Pigeons have lived in excess of 30-years and make wonderful pets! Believe me, I know!

Bless you for helping a pigeon!

PIGEONS FOREVER!!!

--Ray

[cyro51]

Hi Jane,

I telephoned

Ridgeway
Welwyn Garden City
Hertfordshire
AL7 2AD
01707 331963

and asked what their policy on treating feral pigeons was. They said that they treat them like any other animal. The main thing is not to hand it over to the RSPCA and to reassure everyone that it has a home waiting for it so that they don't put it down!

Cynthia



[This message has been edited by cyro51 (edited April 10, 2003).]

[Jane]

Hi Cynthia

Thankyou I have also phoned to ask about the pigeon as this Vet is right around the corner to me! The Pigeon will be on its way to the vet ASAP! Jane

[John_D]

Hows about that, then!

Well found, Cymthia - just 6 hours and a potential resolution under way

AND a thanks to Jane for her caring enough to rescue a pidge!

John

[Jane]

Thank you to everyone for your help!

The pigeon (we have named Honey) has been to the vet. She has an injured shoulder which may heal. The shoulder may have a fracture but none of the wing bones are broken, according to the vet it could even be ligament damage. So fingers crossed she could take to the sky again! Jane

[cyro51]

Hi Jane,

Well done! It sounds very promising!

It might be best to keep Honey confined for a while to let the wing heal. I hope that she will be able to return to her old life but if in the end she can't fly and you can't scope with a house-pigeon (they make excellent companion pets) then I can take her into my aviary where she would join a little flock of pigeons that have been disabled for various reasons. Fortunately a feral pigeon's priority is not to fly but to breed so they do not suffer from stress due to the confinement as some other wild birds do.

John drives up to Norwich once a fortnight and has said he can pick her up. My e-mail address is in my personal profile. Enjoy Honey's company and contact me if you need me a

Thank you so much for going the extra mile for a pigeon in need!

Cynthia

[raynjudy]

--Ray