will pigeon's scalp grow back?

[Reti]

Maria,
you are doing great, why do you want to hand the bird over?
I am concerned now, that if they think the bird is too much trouble to rescue they might euthanize him/her.
Pigeons that can not fly can have a good life in a home, but I understand that your bird can fly. Still some people are quick in their decision to euthanize a bird.
Can't the lady just look at the bird and treat it, while you still can keep it?

Reti

[Maria]

Hi Reti, I really don't want to hand him over but someone has to fix his chest. Maybe i'll just try and find a nice vet and forget this whole idea about the drop-off. I don't care if he can't fly very well, but he seems to get around fine. why do people always think euthanasia?

By the way, i didn't like her 'matter-of-fact' attitude with me either.

[bklowe]

Maria I would suggest that prior to turning s/he to a Vet, see if you can locate someone in you area that rehabs this species. I kow that Tery and others on th list will give the best in advice on how to care fo the bird until someone can be found to take s/he. It sounds as if s/he can be healed with a little amount of care.
I have email talked with a very nice person in Stratford, Quebec .... is that close to you ?

[TAWhatley]

Hi Maria,

While you should be concerned as to whether or not the bird might be euthanized, I think the group you are in contact with is quite knowledgeable and experienced. The fact that the pigeon can fly is an absolute huge plus in favor of the bird being treated for release. If it had a non-fixable broken wing, for example, it would almost certainly result in euthanasia as there would be no possibility of release back to the wild. Likewise, if it were so very, very ill that there was no liklihood of recovery, the odds for treatment for release would be slim. In this case, there are a couple of fairly significant wounds, but both look and seem to be quite treatable. Thus, I think the bird will end up just fine, but you need to satisfy your own mind about this. Talk to the rehab group again if you need to and be certain that you are comfortable with turning the bird over to them.

As to the polysporin .. I can't imagine that it would be toxic to the bird. If you were going to use the Nolvasan to clean the wound areas, you can use diluted Betadine (povidone iodine) one part to 9 parts water.

I truly think this bird has a great chance with the rehab group. If you think you are up to "pulling the plug" out of the side of the chest and dealing with things from there with our help, then let us know, and we'll be here for you. Do realize, though, that the bird still needs antibiotics, might need suturing, might bleed out on you, and possibly a host of other complications. I say these things not to try to push you towards giving the bird to the rehab group but to try and make sure that everyone understands what the options really are for this bird. Without someone there close to you to help, I really wouldn't want you to try to do what needs to be done and end up failing. That would be a tragedy for both you and the bird. I have about 8 years experience now in trying to rehab non-protected species of birds, and there are still plenty of things that are daunting to me .. will I do them on my own .. absolutely, but I have the luxury of having a kind and helpful vet nearby as well as several qualified groups of wildlife rehabilitators who can and will help when needed.

Just some of my thoughts.

Terry

[bklowe]

Maria, did you post a picture othe other injury ? If you did maybe someone on the list could point me in the right direction,

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by bklowe

Maria, did you post a picture othe other injury ? If you did maybe someone on the list could point me in the right direction,

Hi Bruce .. yes there are other pictures of the head situation and of the chest area .. look down at the bottom or at the top of this thread and go to each of the pages, and you will find the other pictures. I read from newest to oldest in each thread, so I'm not sure how my "pages" would equate to yours.

Terry

[Maria]

Bruce, i'm not sure how close Stratford is to me but definitely a car rental would be necessary, not that i mind as long as the bird is treated with care.

Terry, i certainly don't want to risk injuring the bird further by pulling the plug, no way, i don't trust myself that much.
Perhaps i should just hand him over to her and stalk her by phone afterwards. Do you think i can afford to delay the hand-over for a few days in case i find a vet willing to take the injury on. In truth i rather keep him around and take him to someone nearby only for treatment but if the rehabber is the best option then that's what i will have to do. By the way, Le nichoir is closed for the winter and they take care of the birds from their homes.... does that make a difference in the decision?

[bklowe]

Maria,
Try sending the person below an email .... it can't hurt and she may be closer than you know.

Thanks Terry !

Her name is Kaaryn Gough
email ; kgough@integraview.net

[Maria]

Bruce - thanks so much, I will contact her right now.

[TAWhatley]

Maria,

Try Bruce's resource person as soon as you can, and let's see what happens. If you need to delay for a day or so with the rehab group, then just do it.

Terry

[TAWhatley]

Gosh Bruce! You looked a lot less like a pigeon the last time I saw you <LOL>! Great avatar.

Terry

[Maria]

I just sent her an email and my fingers are crossed.
I do appreciate all the referrals, great teamwork!

[Maria]

Bruce - wow, what a nice lady she is! She replied not 5 minutes after i sent the email and we are corresponding for the time being. I think i may delay the 'hand-off' for a day or so, she seems much more concerned than the other lady I spoke with today. It's too bad she doesn't live any closer but maybe I'll take a drive in that direction if i can.

[Maria]

just my luck... I just realized Stratford is probably a 7 hr drive from here. I will have to think of something else.

[TAWhatley]

Here is another response from a rehabber also indicating that the chest wound is abscessed. This is from Jen Norton:

Yes, it does look like an abcess of some sort. However, because of the positioning (where it is on the body) my first inclination would be that this bird had a ruptured crop that is now trying to heal and has encapsulated whatever crop contents may have leaked out. It definitely needs to be lanced and debrided and if a hole found in the crop, repaired.


Thanks for the pics.


Jen