There will be tears!

[Feefo]

I found this poor baby sitting in a pedestrianised street at lunch time. One eye is open and normal, the other sealed shut. He has been mistreated and ejected from the nest too soon. He is pathetically thin, the worst I have seen. Poops scanty and bright green. Bare under the wings

I rushed home at lunch time and tubed some International Rehydrating Solution into his crop then left him under a heat lamp till I got home this evening. Then I fed him Kaytee Exact using the syringe and balloon method. His excitement at finding that he was being given food at last brought tears to my eyes. I have tried not to overfeed him this first time and will feed him again in a few hours.

I have given him the Ty Beanie Buddy Quakers the Duck as a "mother figure". He is a bit wary of her but has already nibbled at her beak so I think that he will take to her.

I remember a similar eye condition on this site recently. I will try to find it but if anyone remembers who it was can you remind me?

Any advice on treatment would be appreciated. I will probably have to take him to the vet but as yet she has never come up with a satisfactory diagnosis or treatment!

Cynthia

[Feefo]

This is the healthy eye:

[Lin Hansen]

Cynthia,

This poor baby is so lucky to have been found by you....you are right, it is heartbreaking that he went hungry so long. I hope you are able to help him....I have only been able to find a couple of threads dealing with eye problems...hope they help...if I find any more, I will post them....

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=9156

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=8259)

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=5742)

Cynthia, the pigeon's eye in this thread looks similar to your poor baby's eye.

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=7530

Linda

[Feefo]

Thanks Lin. I though that the unopened eye might be a congenital deformity but the photos show that an eye infection would look the same whatever the age of the pigeon so I will risk a visit to the vet if only to get antibiotic eye ointment. . I just wish that she was more experienced. As things are it seems to me that I am paying to have my own diagnosis confirmed and to provide a bit of training...and the fact that I am so ignorant but still seem to know more than the vet is absolutely terrifying!

Either there are a lot of sick pigeons around or something is guiding me in the direction of those that need me, because I don't usually walk to where I found this litle one during my lunch half-hour!

Cynthia

[Birdmom4ever]

Poor little guy! Thank God you found him when you did. Perhaps the eye was pecked and became infected, although I know there are other problems that can cause eye infections. Sounds like the little guy could definitely use some general antibiotics plus antibiotic eye drops. The drops would be good to have on hand if the vet prescribes them. One of my avian vets prescribed antibiotic eye drops to treat hawk wounds on one of our pigeons. She explained the drops are best to use on birds since the liquid doesn't gum up the feathers the way ointment does. I had some left over after the hen was healed and I used the drops several times on babies that got scalped.

-Cathy

[re lee]

I would use a moist cloth to loosen the eye lid. Then hand open it. You may then have to get say puffer eye cold med. But try getting the eye open.

[Rockie]

Originally Posted by cyro51

Either there are a lot of sick pigeons around or something is guiding me in the direction of those that need me, because I don't usually walk to where I found this litle one during my lunch half-hour!

Cynthia

Hi Cynthia,

First let me say what a cutie this baby is...

I can't tell you how much I hope he does well and thank you along with everyone else for being there at the right time. Somehow I believe these sweet creatures know how to find us.

I have to say your story did bring tears to my eyes...on top of this tragic baby's story, it has been a rough couple of days, losing one pij on Sunday and a sweet little sparrow just a few minutes ago. It all feels so sad right now. Thank you again for giving this baby a chance at life and letting him know he is loved and not an outcast.

[jonathand]

poor little thing i hope he does good in your care. GOOD LUCK and thank god you found the poor little guy if you didnt he would have probably died.

[Pete Jasinski]

What an adorable little fella! I really hope you can figure out what's wrong and get him all better

[AZWhitefeather]

Hi Cynthia,
Is Helen around or available to give her opinion?
One thing is for sure, that little sweetie is in the best of care.

Please keep us posted.

Cindy

[KIPPY]

Other then the eye the little guy looks like he's in good shape. I can't even see where there is an opening in the eye. He is adorable!

[phyll]

Cynthia ~ Thanks be to God for guiding you to that sweet baby. I really do believe you were "guided" in his direction.
My husband & I KNOW we were led to the spot where Jesse was discovered. He was on the ground, alone in the dark & freezing. Hours later, it snowed.
I pray that everything goes well for this lucky little pigeon.

Phyll

[Pete Jasinski]

Hi Cynthia,
How's your lil patient doing today? After I saw that precious ball of feather I couldn't get him out of my mind!

[pigeonmama]

Cynthia,
Try warm packing the eye witha tea bag compress, comfortably warm, and really soggy. This will help soften the crusts on the eye, and be soothing. This is what we do to new born babies, along with antibiotic eye ointment, in case of infections. Your new baby is as blessed as you are. This little bird is so lucky to have you as his mama. I have two little pigeons on me as I write to you, Moosie and Moochie. Mooch is trying to add her two cents worth, keeps hopping on to the key board, and Moose is trying to give me an new and attractive hair style. Let us know how that baby is doing.
Daryl

[Feefo]

Last night John wrote to me and mentioned that the Chico's development seemed a bit haphazard. He was right. The head is that of a 20 day old squab but the tail and wingspan are of a much older chick, 35 days or older in my opinion. He reminds me of a photo of Alea's Ali whose development was retarded because of salmonella.

The vet examined the eye behind the scenes and said he is pretty certain that it is not infected but underdeveloped...something about the cornea, but I didn't understand that bit. In his opinion it will never develop into a functioning eye.

He agreed that it could be caused by salmonella but said that that was very difficult to diagnose. He also said that antibiotics would not do much at this stage because he has fought off the infection and survived but that his choice of antibiotic would be Synulox. He expects the baby to put on weight and to be releasable. He considers that as part of a city centre flock he has good prospects of survival. he only charged something in the region of $18 for the consultation.

I have great difficulty releasing heathy adults back into their own flocks, so I suspect that Chico will stay with me.

Chico is eating well and has beautiful poops. After eating his lunch he weighed 197 gms.

Thank you all for your support and advice. Although it turned out not to be an infection I will keep a note of everything you have suggested so that I know what to do when I have an infected eye to deal with. Kimberley contributed on another forum and said it was important to keep the eye moist by gently applying sterile saline several times a day...that tip might help one of us one day so I thought I would record it here!!


Cynthia