Injured wing

[rewerbe]

A cat got hold of a pigeon in my neighborhood this week. It can fly low short distances. He (P.J.) is in a box, eating and drinking, doing well. Today I took him to the park and he still cannot fly right. One wing is not working properly.

Is there someone in my area Medford, MA 02155 who can help me set the wing if it's necessary? I don't have a second party to hold the bird, etc.

Thanks. Great site, thanks to whoever created it.

[Reti]

Thank you so much for rescuing this little pigeon.
I am glad the pigeon is doing good. Cat bites can be fatal to birds, since cat saliva contains many bacteria which can cause severe infections.
If you see any changes in the birds behavior, being fluffed, not eating or drinking, not being alert, then you should suspect an infection, and antibiotic will be needed asap.
Seems like the wing is still bruised or even broken. Taking the bird to a vet or rehabber would be adivised so he can take an x-ray. If the wing is not set properly and in time then permanent damage can occur and the bird might never be able to fly again.
Hopefully we can find somebody in your area to take a look at the poor bird.

Please, do not let the bird fly outside, he might be able to take off at some point and then get exhausted and not be able to return to you. He would be very vulnerable to predators.

Reti

[Lin Hansen]

Hi,
If you want to try to set the wing yourself, there is a link you can go to located in Pigeon Daily in Resouces, thread name Medical Web Resources. The link for setting a broken wing will lead you to detailed instructions with pictures for setting a wing.

However, Reti is correct that cat saliva is a concern. It can be deadly so you would probably be safer having a vet check it out and get antibiotics if needed.

You may want to check out this place...it is in N. Grafton, MA (exit 11 off MA turnpike). It is the Wildlife Clinic at Tufts University, phone #598 839 7918. Their hours are 8-5 monday through friday, 9-12 saturday and sunday. Here is the link:
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/wildlife/service.html

My sister in law is a veterinary student at Tufts and did a rotation there and said many people bring in injured animals and birds and that they are pigeon friendly and do not euthanize unless it is a hopeless case. She also said the head doctor has many connections with people who do rehab in the area, so you may want to check this out.

Please let us know how it works out.
Linda

[rewerbe]

Thanks for all your advice. I posted a new thread of the successful release of P.J. today, it was a great event.

Now I've got a new situation with the bird whose neck has been impaled by a dart (Thread: cruelty case in Somerville, MA). I have not yet caught him.