Baby Dove Found - Please Help!

[Charis]

I doubt he can pick up any food with the lower beak the way it is. The poop could have been left over from yesterday. Please hand a mirror in the kennel so he can look at himself for company. That often will keep them from getting depressed. A depressed bird can go into rapid physical decline.
You must feed him.
This is busy, overwhelming time of the year for rehabbers. Don't wait for them to call you back. Keep trying until you get someone.

[Lovebirds]

I don't see how this bird could possibly be able to pick up anything with that beak.
Hand feeding is not difficult. I've done it and IF I can do it..........trust me, almost anyone can.
One thing is for certain.............you can't let this little guy go hungry. He came to you for a reason.........one that you may not ever know for sure........but it's obvious he needs your help.

[Jaye]

Hi Kat.

The beak could be a deformity or it could have been impacted by something. Even if it was 100% I still think the birdie is too young to have learned to forage/feed on it's own.

You are an animal lover....if you have cockatiels, and if you have ever had to give them meds orally w/ syringe....you certainly can handfeed w/ kaytee formula. A baby that size needs only about 12-15 cc a day of formula to maintain weight.

I would say that you either have to get her to a rehab facility or feed her before the end of today. keeping his strength up is most imortant right now. The beak should eventually be looked at by a professional as well.

Where are you located ? (sorry this may have been asked already).

Thanks....keep us posted.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by kalabu

Our store is in Canonsburg, Pa. (southwestern corner of Pennsylvania). Kat

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[TheSnipes]

That bird needs to be tube fed.

Is there any chance the vet you took him to yesterday would tube feed him for you? Can you call their office and ask if they will do it, and of course, if they will let you watch how it's done?

I know there are other members in PA, hopefully we'll find one soon in your area who can take over. If this little guy's had naught to eat or drink for a couple days he won't last long.

[kalabu]

The Wildlife Rescue of Western Pa. called me back this afternoon and they were very eager to take him. So we drove the long drive to them and the little fellow was fine the whole way. They were very happy to have him and they feel their clinic can take care of him. I have a case number for him so I'll keep everyone posted about his progress. They have had success in the past with deformed beaks, so maybe there will be a happy outcome to this. I honestly felt I wasn't up to the task of caring for his special needs and was worried he would die on my watch. At least where he is now he has the BEST chance he will get.



Thanks again for all your help and tips!

Kat

[Lovebirds]

WONDERFUL news!!! I'm glad he's in good hands now. Thanks for all you did. We'll look forward to good updates.

[Maggie-NC]

That is wonderful news. You deserve a big pat on the back for taking him in and getting him help. Great job.

[Jaye]

Nice job ! Absolutely, when professional vets/rehabbers are available and willing and committed to take on an injured baby...that's the way to go.

So, ya done good...and have given the lil' fella his life back.

Thanks for posting...and please come back once in a while !

[Charis]

Good job. I've been worrying about the little guy all day.
Thank you for going the extra mile.

[kippermom]

This little fellow does not look ready to be out on is own yet. Beak looks a bit misalligned...whether enough to interfere with eating can't tell. The seed in the pic looks awfully large for a yound dove though.

Stress can be a problem. Is there a bathroom or even the floor of an enclosed shower or the back of a parked car in your garage where the bird's cage can be put to get some hours of peace and quiet? You have done a great job so far and certainly saved this bird's life but feral doves can get hyper in small cages..especialy with an audience and noise of other larger animals!

Follow the intructions on the other links about hydration and hand feeding and warmth. You will need to supplement whatever he is eating.drinking on his own for a week or two as he may not be fully weaned.

Maybe you can find a local rehabber to take over...but in the meantime, you are all he has and bless you for your efforts. (I have a swimming pool with 8 bobbing little mallard chicks who wandered into the yard yesterday...sometimes THEY find YOU!)

[kippermom]

Great news..did not see the result before I wrote my op ed piece!!!! Thanks again!

[mr squeaks]

WONDERFUL NEWS, Kalabu!

Thank you for letting us know! I know you can now breathe easier knowing he's in good hands!

Yes, please, DO keep us updated on his progress! I'm sure he will do just fine!

Shi

[kalabu]

Just spoke with the wildlife rescue facility. They said that they are tube feeding the little guy as he is too young to eat on his own. Plus they said he had an injury to his wing and one leg was bruised in addition to the beak being a little bent. They felt he had run into something on his one side as all the injuries were on that side BUT the good news is that they feel he will recover completely and that the beak will straighten itself out. Even if it doesn't, they don't feel that it will keep him from having a normal life. He is in a cage right now with another mourning dove a little older than himself and they are just "chillin" together. I asked how long they will have him and she guessed 3 - 4 weeks before they can release him. I can check back once a week to see how he's doing, so won't have any more news till next Wednesday. But this made me SOOOOO happy today! I can't tell you how relieved I am that he's doing so well.

Kat

[mr squeaks]

Can't get any better news than that, Kat!!

We will be watching for future positive updates!

Love and Hugs

Shi