Pierpont-Fistula and Injury

[Reti]

Hi Leena,

nice to see you posting.

I agree, pidgey would make a great vet. Lucky pigeons that come his way.

Reti

[mr squeaks]

Originally Posted by Reti

Hi Leena,

nice to see you posting.

I agree, pidgey would make a great vet. Lucky pigeons that come his way.

Reti

Yes, indeed...an AVIAN Vet...

WAY to GO, Pidgey!

And I thought Mr. Squeaks had it bad! Well, he did but compared to Pierpont...! Can't wait to hear the latest updates on your recovering pijjies!

[Pidgey]

Well, thanks for the compliments but... uhh... it's been said before that the pigeons that come my way are generally very UNlucky to have gotten as sick or hurt as to require my help.

Pierpont is FINALLY beginning to grow feathers on his chest again. It is typical for the follicles to suspend their growing cycle when there's trauma or infection and I had expected them to kick in before now but they're going great guns now so I guess we're finally up to snuff. I haven't taken the last stitches out yet (they've been in a week now) but I will soon. I expect to find that some scab material has prevented complete closure but we're in the final stretch.

I also believe that previously unsuspected damage was done to something inside because I've begun to notice that he makes those grunting sounds even when he's flying. That must be why he talks so much--he can't help it! He'll fly away to keep from stepping on your hand and you'll hear a quacking sound like a flock of geese going over. I really don't think I should ever release him and I also think that as soon as he can either father or mother a clutch I should let him. I really want his/her DNA to stay in the gene pool as he's been such a tough trooper.

Pidgey

[Pidgey]

Well, I've been putting Pierpont out in the loft every morning for the last couple of weeks and bringing him/her back in every evening. Usually, I just get him/her near the stairs and he/she flies up and in.

Today, I thought I might peek in and see what goes on when he/she gets up there. And I saw a tryst! As it happens, there's another pigeon that had had a broken wing (either the radius or ulna) that had come from the exact same area originally as Pierpont (they could be related although the one's really big and Pierpont is so small). Anyhow, there was tail-sweeping and then settling into a spot while Pierpont was preening the other one very tenderly.

I had to use my hanky! I guess this means that Pierpont (who's been two months healing now) has graduated to the loft at long last.

Pidgey

[Reti]

That is fantastic news, Pidgey.
You did an awsome job with this guy.

Reti

[Trees Gray]

I'm so glad to hear Pierpont has graduated to the loft and that he/she has found a mate. That bird has been thru so much.

All your wonderful and supportive care has made it possible for this bird to live out a happy life. Do you think Pierpont is a girl or a boy?

[Pidgey]

Treesa,

I really don't have a clue except that Pierpont's neck is very slender and he/she grouses a lot. That usually means it's a hen but given his/her history I ain't bettin' the ranch until I see which one drops an egg.

As to the happy life, I've come to the conclusion that this bird isn't happy unless he/she's grousing. He/she's done more grousing now than all the other birds I've ever had have done together. Of course, he/she's had good reason!

Pidgey

[NumberNine]

Put the bird in front of a mirror. If it dances, then 50% chance it's a male. If it's quiet, then 50% chance it's a female.

[pdpbison]

So Pidgey,


Refresh our memories on what had been the course of meds with Pierpont and his-her injury?



Phil
Las Vegas

[Pidgey]

Phil,

Don't wanna' go back through the thread, huh? Oh, well, I first threw Pierpont on Baytril and then ended up going with a Baytril/Keflex combo. But you have to understand that Pierpont's chest smelled like rotting meat when we started. I had to do the meds above on the inside, immense amounts of NeoSporin on the outside as well as sickening amounts of debridement to stop the necrotizing rot. Maggots could have done a lot faster and better job, though, as nasty of a thought as that is. Every time that I sit and think of how far that bird's come, I'm still almost floored with amazement to how tough pigeons must be.

Pidgey

[pdpbison]

Ahhhh...okay...

I am not familiar with the "Keflex" but I recall it being mentioned recently.

Maggots, if one may cultivate sterile of them, or allow whatever of them to creep for a time on some clean cloth, have made a resounding come-back in people-medicine you know, after a long time of being negleted.

They are the best for some things. But they will 'jump' of course if frieightened and can sail clear across a room...Lol...


Great work there Pidgey !

And Pierpont!

Phil
Las Vegas

[Pidgey]

Well, Pierpont's almost through moulting. Took these pictures this evening:





Brought him/her in from the loft today to get a weigh-in (320 grams) and to take the last stitch out that's been in there for a month. Pierpont was true to form and kept grousing almost the entire time. I've really missed that. Anyhow, you really can't tell that he/she ever had a wound.

Pidgey

[mr squeaks]

Pierpont looks just wonderful! Hard to believe it's the same bird!! WAY TO GO PIDGEY!!!

Still don't know if Pierpont is a HE or SHE???? Should be old enough by now???

[pdpbison]

Hi Pidgey,


Wow...!


What a great progress...!

(S)he looks wonderful!


How's the courtship going? Any nest making yet?

Phil
Las Vegas

[Trees Gray]

Pierpont looks terrific, what a difference!

By that look in his/her eyes I can see he is temperamental, what a cutie! I love them when they are "feisty" like that, is that what you call grousing?

Keep us updated, and PLEASE DO let us know when the first egg drops, then we can stop all this he/she stuff.