Help.caught Stock Dove. Advice Needed - Pigeon-Talk

amyable · Posted 15th September 2008, 06:10 AM

I've managed to catch the Stock Dove that's been looking very sick in my garden.

It is very thin and wheezing as it breaths. Had some seeds stuck in his throat and it looks blocked. What is the best way to get the Spartrix down him?

I'm dripping rehydrating fluid on his beak and have him wrapped up in a towel keeping him warm on my lap at the moment.

Any advice welcome, not had one like this before.

Janet

John_D · 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amyable

I've managed to catch the Stock Dove that's been looking very sick in my garden.

It is very thin and wheezing as it breaths. Had some seeds stuck in his throat and it looks blocked. What is the best way to get the Spartrix down him?

I'm dripping rehydrating fluid on his beak and have him wrapped up in a towel keeping him warm on my lap at the moment.

Any advice welcome, not had one like this before.

Janet

Hi Janet

This is the instance where you could crush the Spartrix to a powder as far as poss and add 1 ml water. You can give it for more than 1 day. I don't know if it is as effective as the tablet on its own, but worth trying unless you can find a vet who can give it metronidazole in liquid form.

Maybe Cynthia will advise a slightly less qty of water.

John

amyable · Posted 15th September 2008, 06:29 AM

I've crushed it and sprinkled it on his tongue, Seems to be struggling for breath when I give it water. His tongue is sticking out the side of his mouth with the obstruction.

Can I overdose him with Spartrix as I lost some as I put it in his mouth so was thinking of giving him some more.

Should I give him any meds aswell, I have Baytril and generic Synulox.

I'm so glad I've got him, he is so poorly.

AZWhitefeather · Posted 15th September 2008, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_D

Hi Janet

This is the instance where you could crush the Spartrix to a powder as far as poss and add 1 ml water. You can give it for more than 1 day. I don't know if it is as effective as the tablet on its own, but worth trying unless you can find a vet who can give it metronidazole in liquid form.

Maybe Cynthia will advise a slightly less qty of water.

John

Hi Janet,
I suck up water in an eyedropper & place that in a small cup, then drop a Spartrix in the water. It dissolves nearly instantly. I refill the eyedropper with the solution & administer it to the bird.

There is very little water involved so as not to dilute the Spartrix too much, but enough dissolve it.

I've had good results with it.

Cindy

John_D · Posted 15th September 2008, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZWhitefeather

Hi Janet,
I suck up water in an eyedropper & place that in a small cup, then drop a Spartrix in the water. It dissolves nearly instantly. I refill the eyedropper with the solution & administer it to the bird.

There is very little water involved so as not to dilute the Spartrix too much, but enough dissolve it.

I've had good results with it.

Cindy

Useful to know, Cindy

John

amyable · Posted 15th September 2008, 07:03 AM

Thanks, I've done that so he's had probably just under two tablets now.

I've put him on some heat with just water in his box, no seeds I assume for now as he can't swallow well.

Janet

John_D · Posted 15th September 2008, 07:23 AM

You could give him the rehydration mix if not already, Janet - the salt/glucose (or suitable substitute)/water. Aside from rehydrating, it is a basic electrolyte mix so is good for the system and a little booster.

John

Feefo · Posted 15th September 2008, 07:38 AM

Hi Janet,

I was just off to the post office when I caught this thread. Poor little one, he must be in a bad way if you caught him, they are so shy of humans.

I am sending you some Poly-Aid, hopefully that will arrive early tomorrow, you will have to give it drop by drop but at least it will have some nutrients in it. In the meantime can you give him some glucose to keep his energy levels up?

Another thing I will send is some treats mix, these are tiny seeds and the first solid foods that birds with canker can get down. They are also excellent for weaning woodies.

Cynthia

amyable · 01:26 PM

Hi Cynthia,

Thank you so much. I have spent all day trying to outwit him.
It was actually quite funny as after my near miss last night I sat and worked out what exactly I had done wrong to miss him on those three occasions.

So... I put three cages on their sides around the garden where he usually fed, then I draped myself in green garden netting and sat still until he appeared. Then as he was pottering about I edged closer, an inch at a time until I was able to throw the net over him, luckily this one time he was behind a bush.

My husband saw me on my first attempt and died laughing. Do you know the old tune, ' They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha Ha'. I can't remember who sang it but it was all about men in white coats taking someone to 'the funny farm'.
Seems I've been humming that to myself all day while I hid under the net!! :

Seriously though it was worth it, I do hope I can turn him around now.

There is a hard lump on his neck, I think that might be the canker bulging from inside.

Janet

Feefo · Posted 15th September 2008, 08:10 AM

LOL, I wish I had seen that, Janet.

Napoleon XIV...I identified with that song even before I got a dog!

Remember when you ran away and
I got on my knees and begged you
Not to leave because I'd go berserk?
Well,You left me anyhow and then the
Days got worse and worse and now you
See I've gone completely out of my mind.
And,

They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa.
They're coming to take me away, ho ho, he he, ha ha,
To the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time
And I'll be happy to see those nice young
Men in their clean white coats and
They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa!

You thought it was a joke and so you
Laughed, you laughed!
When I had said that
Losing you would make me flip my lid, right?
You know you laughed, I heard you laugh,
You laughed, you laughed and laughed, and then you
Left, but now you know I'm utterly mad.
And,

They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa.
They're coming to take me away, ho ho, he he , ha ha,
To the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds
And basket weavers who sit and smile
And twiddle their thumbs and toesAnd they're coming to take me away, ha-haaa!

I cooked your food, I cleaned your house
And this is how you pay me back
For all my kind, unselfish loving deeds? Huh?
Well, you just wait--they'll find you yet
And when they do they'll put you in the
RSPCA you mangy mutt!
And,

They're coming to take me away! ....etc