Broken wing--need permit advice

[jdogvolunteer87]

Pijjie update time.

I just got back from the avian vet, and we decided not to surgically fix the break, as the vet felt it wouldn't make much of a difference. (Plus, I don't have 500 dollars) It was both the radius and ulna that were broken. The bird weighed 292 grams. It turned out there was a laceration near the break, so I have antibiotics to give the bird 2x a day now. I also have a tube to force feed him with if he won't eat. I am nervous about tube-feeding him, and being able to get the medication into his crop. I've never done that before.

Next week, I'm getting him tested for chlamydia and psitticosis. If it is a male, I'm going to name him Sly Stallone, because he acts so tough and aggressive. If its a girl, I dunno yet.

[feralpigeon]

I'm glad that an avian vet saw this bird and that you'll be treating w/antibiotics
for the laceration. Here's a link to the Resource Section that has a lot of good
information on the care of pigeons. Also there are links to Crop Medicating
and Tube Feeding:

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/f25/

Look over those specific links and if you have questions, post back w/your
concerns. It will be important while the pigeon isn't feeling well and being
medicated to make sure the bird is amply self-watering and self-feeding.
BTW, what medication did your vet give you?


fp

[flitsnowzoom]

I'm so glad you went to the vet and kept the bird. There's a lot of great coaches here to help so you certainly won't be alone in caring for this one.

Maybe call her "Sly-ly" .

After he gets to feeling better then perhaps it won't be aggressive. I tell you, I'd be grumpy and mean too if I had a broken arm Did the vet show you a way to support and protect the wing while those bones knit (better yet, did he sling it up for you).

[jdogvolunteer87]

The wing is wrapped in a supported position, so that the broken bones are stabilized. The label on the bottle does not say what the drug is, but I remember that it was some sort of sulpha drug.

I'm still not sure if the bird is eating, but he is throwing the seeds out of the cage.

[Charis]

Is the bird pooping?

[Pidgey]

Yeah, when the've got a smorgasbord in front of them, they tend to do that. It's less messy to give them just a little at a time so they won't be quite so picky. You might be spoiling the bird. We're pigeon people--we know these things.

Pidgey

[feralpigeon]

They are messy eaters and sometimes when a feral rescue is not used to the
caretaker, they may not eat in front of them. The crop is probably in part covered by the figure eight so not fully visible or accessible, but it you had
some scales and could weigh him this would tell you if he was losing weight
and needed some help. Cynthia has a good YouTube short on seed popping for
adult ferals needing some feeding assistance, I'll pull that link up for you.
If you can try and find out what the medication is as it will be relevant in terms
of what conditions it will resolve.

fp

[jdogvolunteer87]

I definitely just caught him eating, so that's a huge relief. I went out and bought a wild bird mix, which included doves on the label. I also gave him some bread, in case he didn't like the seed. I am so glad I won't have to tube feed him. I will have to medicate him very soon, which promises to be lots of fun. There are a few smallish, solid poops in the cage.

I don't mind the mess, as long as he is eating. Seeds are easily picked up.

[feralpigeon]

I tape bubble wrap around the corner w/the seeds which isn't really that
inventive, but you get the idea. I had one very messy eater who wasn't happy
until the whole days bowl was on the floor.

Did the doctor go over how to give the bird the medication w/you?

fp

[jdogvolunteer87]

Yeah. He gave me a small syringe and said to stick it down into the crop, and then squirt the meds in. I'm just nervous about rupturing the esophagus, or getting it in the lungs. I've never done this before. Plus, this bird really does not like me. He even tried to peck me when I put seed in the cage, and wing slapped me a few times.

[feralpigeon]

OK, here's Cynthia's (Cyro51) YouTube video on hand feeding a pigeon/dove:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uU1SO0ZJoow

It's basically the same technique for giving them pills as well.

fp

[feralpigeon]

I would strongly recommend putting this bird in what my vet calls a "Bird Burrito", then proceed w/the crop medicating. Did you look at the Sticky
in the resource section on crop medicating?

fp

[jdogvolunteer87]

Just read them all now, and I'm psyching myself up to try. I will definitely use the bird burrito technique, as I have to do this by myself. The medication is in the liquid form, and I'm to give .3 ccs 2x a day.

[feralpigeon]

I tip the beak up pointing towards the ceiling or least ways as much as I can
without it being stressful/hurtful for the bird.
You should be able to feel/see the syringe in the front or on their right side
dependant on the angle that you have inserted it. This was shown to me
in the vets office by the vet who first taught me how to crop medicate.

fp

[jdogvolunteer87]

Okay, the bird wins round one. I wrapped him up in a towel, and restrained his head, but every time I put the syringe in his throat he struggled so much I was afraid that the syringe would hurt him. Would it be okay to just squirt the meds into his mouth and let him swallow?