It looks to me like the bird has a torn crop. It probably needs to be stitched up by a vet. Maybe you could call ahead and see if they can cut you a deal on the cost.
Help! Something very wrong with Ermintrude!
I found a young-ish pigeon (now named Ermintrude) a week ago - following on from this thread: http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/f6/found-pigeon-not-flying-not-sure-whats-wrong-34860.html
Wasn't able to fly properly, very thin, has a good appetite, seems happy enough (pecks me when I put my hand in the cage, but is otherwise gentle and tame when held). She has appeared to get healthier, though still very thin, and her flying is improving.
AND THEN... I discovered this:
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(If that photo isn't clear enough, I can take another with a better camera.)
I don't know how I didn't notice this before, but somehow it eluded me. It's about 1/2' above the keel bone, and it looks like there are seeds in it.
I've heard of torn gizzards and things but I'm not experienced with pigeons so I really don't know what this is or what to do about it. Like I say, she actually seems quite well and happy (and I know that pigeons try to hide it when they're ill, but she really seems okay - which is puzzling me!).
What is it, and what should I do? There is an avian vet near where I live, but he is very expensive and always runs a whole lot of very, very expensive tests (I took my cockatiel who had a blocked gizzard a few months ago - one appointment cost AU$1000, approximately). Eep. It's also the Easter long weekend, which is bad timing.
Thanks again,
Snuffy (stressed foster-parent of Ermintrude)
Wasn't able to fly properly, very thin, has a good appetite, seems happy enough (pecks me when I put my hand in the cage, but is otherwise gentle and tame when held). She has appeared to get healthier, though still very thin, and her flying is improving.
AND THEN... I discovered this:
(If that photo isn't clear enough, I can take another with a better camera.)
I don't know how I didn't notice this before, but somehow it eluded me. It's about 1/2' above the keel bone, and it looks like there are seeds in it.
I've heard of torn gizzards and things but I'm not experienced with pigeons so I really don't know what this is or what to do about it. Like I say, she actually seems quite well and happy (and I know that pigeons try to hide it when they're ill, but she really seems okay - which is puzzling me!).
What is it, and what should I do? There is an avian vet near where I live, but he is very expensive and always runs a whole lot of very, very expensive tests (I took my cockatiel who had a blocked gizzard a few months ago - one appointment cost AU$1000, approximately). Eep. It's also the Easter long weekend, which is bad timing.
Thanks again,
Snuffy (stressed foster-parent of Ermintrude)
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
In the picture she does look uncomfortable, but I'm pretty sure that's just because of how I'm holding her. She seems surprisingly happy.
She's eating a lot, and pooping a lot too. When I first got her, it didn't look good (pretty watery), but from the second day onwards - so about six days now - it's been frequent and totally normal looking. This bird just eats and poops, eats and poops, LOL! There's definitely food being digested, but obviously not enough to get her to put on weight. Nonetheless, she's stronger than before. This is why I was so surprised when I noticed the torn crop - she seemed to be doing well. Very glad I didn't try to release her the other day!
I'll call a vet first thing tomorrow (Saturday) morning and see what I can do. Hopefully it won't be too costly, as I'm a student at the moment so not too comfortable financially. *fingers crossed*
She's eating a lot, and pooping a lot too. When I first got her, it didn't look good (pretty watery), but from the second day onwards - so about six days now - it's been frequent and totally normal looking. This bird just eats and poops, eats and poops, LOL! There's definitely food being digested, but obviously not enough to get her to put on weight. Nonetheless, she's stronger than before. This is why I was so surprised when I noticed the torn crop - she seemed to be doing well. Very glad I didn't try to release her the other day!
I'll call a vet first thing tomorrow (Saturday) morning and see what I can do.
Hopefully it won't be too costly, as I'm a student at the moment so not too comfortable financially. *fingers crossed*1 - 6 of 6 Posts
