Ill-fated pigeon

[cyro51]

Hi Sid,

If you telephone a vet and say that you have a pet pigeon that needs treatment then they will probably see you (if they are comfortable about seeing birds) and would have no right at all to take the pigeon from you. Putting a band on its foot can help. If you just hand them in to a vet expecting them to do what is right by the pigeon then they will almost certainly destroy it. I once took one in for an examination because I had just found it and it was wounded so I walked in to the nearest vet. The vet gave it a quick look then passed it to the receptionist and said "Do what you usually do!" at which point I grabbed it back and left!

Unshelled sunflower seeds are fine but I am not certain about Pumpkin seeds. Mung beans, popping corn and dried peas could be mixed with something like budgie mix if you can't find a proper pigeon mix in London.

Pigeon said that he might be able to go to London again tomorrow, if you want him to have a look at your pigeon then please e-mail him. or you could let him have your telephone number so that you can discuss his symptoms on the telephone.

My offer of medications is still open.



Cynthia




----- Original Message -----

[DieselPigeon]

Yes, I can still go to London tomorrow if necessary. My email address is in the private message I sent you (if you didn't know about private messages. scroll up to the top of the screen and click on the link in the top right hand corner). The vet I go to doesn't try and put pigeons down - indeed they asked for my phone number in case they were given any that needed taking in (they never actually called me, but they're thinking the right way!).

[cyro51]

I have heard from Sid who took the pigeon to a vet. The vet has diagnosed chlamydia and prescribed medications but does not expect the baby to live.

I am not only posting to update everyone but also so that we can learn: mark and remember the symptoms and be aware of how long after the pigeon was taken in they developed. Something that also needs to be taken into account when deciding how long to isolate a new rescue.



Cynthia

[Chain123]

Comeon people. The bird is Dying. Put it down. DOWN LET IT SUFFER!!!!

IT MAKEWS ME SICK TO THINK OF IT SUFFERING SO PUT IT DOWN

[Lin Hansen]

Hi Chain123

This is not a very nice post. Most of our members here go above and beyond to try to help any pigeons in trouble. Our trouble is: most vets are not "pigeon friendly," especially if they are ferals (wild, not pets), and their first inclination is to put it down, regardless of whether it can be helped or not. Some of them can be saved and some of them cannot. Some of our members have worked real miracles bringing very sick or injured pigeons back to health. Of course, if a bird is beyond hope of recovery or will live, but with no quality of life, I am sure most of us would do the kind thing and have it "put to sleep."
I am glad to see that thinking of a pigeon suffering makes you sick. If that is the case, then I suppose you have changed your mind about putting your injured pigeon in the snow, in the woods behind your grandpa's house. I say this because if you go through with this plan, then you can be sure that your pigeon will suffer either a slow death from starvation, dehydration or exposure, or it will suffer a gruesome death of being eaten alive by a hawk or racoon or other predator since it cannot fly away. I hope you are able to think of a better alternative.

Good luck
Linda

[Sidi]

Dear All

It is nice to see people so concerned about life. If more people in the world were like this we’d certainly live in a far better place.

I don’t like to see animals suffer either and seeing my pigeon suffering made me feel awful. I am surprised and disappointed, however, at how quickly everybody suggested it should be put to sleep. This includes the vet I went to see who said the bird was about to meet its end and basically asked me: “do you want to try giving it medication or should we just go ahead and put it down?”

I took the medication away, together with my bird, let down by such a gloomy attitude.

Happily, I can now report that, after a few days of treatment, the bird has made a recovery – and to me it looks like a complete recovery. It is back in good health and high spirits. It’s even more alive than it has ever been before – it’s playful, active and feeding well. It’s also become slightly more aggressive than before, but I think this might be because it still hasn’t forgiven me for putting it into confinement when I took to the vet!

There is still a problem with its wing, unfortunately. The vet wouldn’t examine it properly because he said he didn’t see the point as it wouldn’t survive. He did have a brief look but said it appeared fine to him. It certainly isn’t fine, so perhaps I’ll try taking it back again.

Anyway, thanks for all your comments and support. We have been real lucky this time!

Sid

[cyro51]

Hi Sid,

Need I say how delighted I am? Thank you for not giving up on the little one!

As far as the wing is concerned I am not at all certain that vets know what to do with wing injuries. I honestly don't think most of them have the skill to set a broken wing bone.

However, even a bruise will affect the pigeon's ability to use its wing for a number of weeks. Some of mine have taken 4 weeks and more before they were able to fly again after having a wing injured by cat or impact. Star had the bone broken and sticking out of the flesh! He went to the vet for an amputation but she decided to file the bone down and sew the skin back over it. Miraculously he recovered the ability to fly!

Thanks for your update, it hasreally cheered me up!

Cynthia

[AZWhitefeather]

Hello Sid,
What a wonderful update.

I am surprised and disappointed, however, at how quickly everybody suggested it should be put to sleep. This includes the vet I went to see who said the bird was about to meet its end and basically asked me: “do you want to try giving it medication or should we just go ahead and put it down?”

It is disappointing indeed. Unfortunately, there are many vets who are reluctant to treat pigeons. I think one of the the main reasons is because many are unfamiliar with them & sadly some just don't want to be bothered.

On a positive note, there is a select group of us who will go the extra length to do whatever we can to give our fine feathered friends that second chance. Doesn't it feel great to be among that group?

Bless you for hanging in there.

Cindy

[Reti]

Hi Sid,
I have not enough words to thank you for all you did for this little pigie.
You did a miracle. In the shape he was in it was doubtful he could survive.
Thank you and little pigie for hanging in there.

Reti

[TAWhatley]

Well done Sid! Thank you to you and your family for seeing that this pigeon got the best of care and was not allowed to be put down by a less than caring vet.

Terry