|
Notices |
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
|||
![]() Injured and possibly sick feral, not used to birds but trying to helpLocation: Southern Alberta, Canada
Status: currently in a lined box in my unheated (but insulated) garage with a baggie of warmed grains for heat. Can't bring inside due to horde of indoor cats and a housemate who's deeply phobic of birds. Injury: cluster of matted feathers on side of neck, closer to back than throat, about 3/4 inch in diameter. Its dark feathers make it difficult to tell whether it's matted with blood or something else. No fresh fluids or bleeding visible. Appetite: no interest in food. Tried cooked frozen peas, popcorn, and shelled black oil sunflower seeds. Might be drinking water. Poop: Day 1-very flat, mostly white drops with a dark forest green center. Seems like there's no solids to speak of. Day 2-still no solids, paler green. Rather a lot of it. I found a feral pigeon on my doorstep yesterday morning. It had clearly been there for a while, since there was a trail of droppings scattered around. When I opened the door, it just walked a small distance away instead of flying off. It appeared to have a wound of some kind on the side of its neck, which it scratched at a couple of times. Hoping it just needed a rest, I set out some water with a bit of honey and salt. When I checked on it a couple of times throughout the day, it was still pacing, and it occasionally stretched its wings or head. It was still hanging around at dusk, but its eyelids had started to droop and it was mostly unresponsive, though it could still stand. I put out a small newspaper lined box with a heated rice bag, and tucked it inside. I figured either it would recover overnight, or it would pass and I'd at least have it neatly contained. I left the water within reach, just in case. Early this afternoon, I went outside to perform funeral rites, but it was still alive and somewhat alert when I looked in the box. The water had been spilled some, so I assume it at least attempted to drink. I figured that was a good sign, so I set out some food and let it be. Unfortunately, it didn't eat, or even leave the box as far as I could tell. The weather took a turn for the worse tonight, so I brought the pigeon into my garage. I'm not sure how I can water it inside the box yet (I figure it'll spill the container?), but leaving it outside at -10C seems like a death sentence. Now I'm at a loss. I'm not equipped to care for its injuries properly, and I have no idea how to handle birds. I haven't found anyone who cares for ferals in my area, and both my free time and funds are very limited. Is there anything else simple I can do to give this bird a fighting chance? I'm starting to suspect I've just prolonged the poor thing's suffering. |
Sponsored Links | |||
Advertisement
|
|
|
|||
I appreciate the quick reply, Rosequartz! It's very late here, but I'll try to get some photos in the morning.
I am applying some heat. I have a hot water bottle under the box, and I'm running a space heater in the room. I also added a bunch of shredded newspaper for insulation. Quote:
Will update as soon as possible in the morning. ETA: What should I do about giving it water? I'm very concerned about dehydration, but I don't want it to accidentally get soaked either, especially in cool temperatures. Should I risk putting an open dish of water in the box? Last edited by Katywin; 23rd December 2016 at 01:26 AM.. Reason: last minute PS |
|
|
|
||||
You mentioned your bird had external throat/neck injury. Try giving him a few peas and check whether he is able to swallow it. If it not, you should go for liquid items. You can buy Kaytee exact hand rearing formula for parrots.
__________________
Life isn't about getting and having, it's about giving and being. ![]() |
|
||||
Thank you for helping the poor bird! How is he doing? His poop sounds like starvation poop. Am hoping peopke more expert will answer soon. Rosequartz suggestions have been good.
There are rescue organizations but you need to make totally cwrtain they help and dont just euthanize sick pigeons, such as: http://calgarywildlife.org/ http://www.birdscalgary.com/2011/10/...ng-wild-birds/ Last edited by cwebster; 23rd December 2016 at 01:45 AM.. |
|
||||
Thanks cwebster
![]()
__________________
Life isn't about getting and having, it's about giving and being. ![]() |
|
|||
Update: it seems like it made it through the night okay (it was shifting around and looking up when I removed the blanket from the top of its box).
Thank you for the links, cwebster! ![]() In the meantime, though, I'll keep it warm and try to coax a bit of ORS water into it. I'll try the peas next if I can get it to cooperate. Quote:
|
|
||||
Hope you got him to the place for help. For future though, better not to syringe water into a bird. They can aspirate easily. Instead, try gently dipping his beak into some tepid water, but not over the nostrils, and he may drink on his own which would be much better. Also, if feeding defrosted peas, they do contain some moisture which helps. To hand feed peas:
If you need to feed peas to a pigeon, hold the bird on your lap and against your body. This gives you more control. Reach from behind his head with one hand and grasp his beak on either side. Now use your free hand to open the beak, and put a pea in, then push it to the back of his throat and over his tongue. Let him close his beak and swallow. Then do another. It gets easier with practice, and the bird also gets more used to it, and won't fight as much. If you can't handle the bird, then use the sleeve cut off a t-shirt, slip it over his head and onto his body, with his head sticking out. This will stop him from being able to fight you so much. Just don't make it tight around his crop area. It helps if you have him facing your right side if you are right handed.
__________________
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass........It's about learning to dance in the rain. |
|
|||
Final update! I couldn't figure out a safe way to hydrate (all the detailed instructions I could find called for catheters, etc.), so I decided to rush it to the centre.
It (probably indeed a "he", in hindsight, considering the showy plumage?) took the long highway drive pretty well, despite the delays from snowy roads. He was still conscious when I brought him in, so I'm hoping for the best. Wish him luck! The clinic workers seemed trustworthy and I saw a good-sized flock of pigeons on their property, so I have high hopes he's in good hands. Thank you all so much for your advice. I would have never had the courage to handle a wild bird if I hadn't read the information on this forum. You're wonderful, compassionate folks and you gave me the tools to (hopefully) save a life. And thanks for the last minute advice, Jay3. I was on a slushy highway when you posted that, but I appreciate the effort. ![]() |
|
||||
Sorry I found your post late. Thanks for helping him. That was very kind of you. I hope he does well.
__________________
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass........It's about learning to dance in the rain. |
|
|||
Quote:
The front desk asked for my contact details as I checked Mystery Bird in, but I was so frazzled from the drive I didn't think to ask for news about his condition. ![]() I'll ring them up after Christmas to see how he's doing. Will post a final final update if I can get the info. No problem on the belated response, Jay3! We're only human. Thanks for your kind wishes. |
![]() |
Tags |
adult bird, feral pigeon, green poop, injury |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|