[Jaymie21]

Hi I hatched 2 baby pigeons a few days ago and they were doing fine till today. One of them is struggling to breath has his beak open trying to get more breaths in, I've been propping up it's beak since it seems to help a bit. I gave it the normal amount of food so I'm not sure why this is happening. When it first hatched had weak breathing too so I'm not sure if it's just a breathing problem or something worse

 

[Marina B]

Was he breathing like that after he hatched and before you fed him? If he started breathing like that after he got fed, he might have aspirated some formula. If he aspirated formula, he will get pneumonia and die. He will need antibiotics asap. Can you put him in a steamy bathroom for easier breathing?

 

[Jaymie21]

He hatched with with weak breathing but it got better. He only started having trouble breathing a few minutes after being fed. I'll leave the hot water on and see if it'll make steam. Where can I buy antibiotics? There aren't many avian specific stores around where I live.

 

[Marina B]

Is there no avian vet you can take him to sunscribe the necessary meds? What country are you from? I guess you can't buy from a pharmacy in your country? He needs an amoxycillin based meds. But he is so tiny and will need so little. Ask family and friends if they might have a leftover Betamox capsule. He actually needs to be put in a nebulizer for easier breathing.

 

[Jaymie21]

I found one, though it's a bit far from where we live. We'll be going there tmr to see what they can do

 

[Marina B]

Ok perfect. Keep us updated plse. This little guy is hanging on, don't let them euthanize and don't leave him there. If they have a nebulizer, ask if you can borrow it from them.

 

[Marina B]

Just wondering if the vet was able to help him?

 

[Jaymie21]

Sadly one of them didn't make it (the first born) passed away on our way to the vet the car ride mightve been too stressful. she wasn't digesting some of the food and just kept begging for more food without finishing what she had. The second one survived though and is doing great! Is very healthy and friendly. She's 10 days old today. Can I start feeding her something different?

 

[Marina B]

Very small for a 10 day old. Stick to the handrearing formula. How much are you feeding? Pity you didn't post sooner reg the other baby. If the crop is slow, one can give human baby applesauce followed by gently massaging the crop. This helps with digestion.

 

[Jaymie21]

Hi sorry for the late update been a bit busy lately but the baby is doing great. Is very active (and talkative) and loves cuddles. They're 17 days old today so I was wondering if I can start trying different foods.

 

[Marina B]

So cute. Keep on giving the handraising formula. You can start sprinkling some small seeds in his nest. Get him interested by pushing the seeds around with your fingers, pick them up and drop them again. He views your finger as the food source and will copy what your fingers are doing.