shannybonanny, yay to you for helpin’ the poor birdie! I work in a wildife rehabilitation center in NC, and you’re doing a fine job so far. There is danger of infection from the cat bite, and the pigeon needs to be treated with antibiotics ASAP.
Here is a small list of KS rehabbers; they should be able to put you in touch with someone in your area who can stabilize the bird, give antibiotics and get it to a knowledgeable vet. Don’t be shy about calling on a holiday weekend; rehabbers tend to be pretty devoted and understanding when it comes to an injured animal.
Birdseed will do for interim feed, and put his water in a small bowl at least 1 inch deep to drink. My understanding is that pigeons drink through their nares (nostrils), so deeper water is necessary. Handle the bird as little as possible to minimize stress, and further damage to the wing.
Good luck, and get help ASAP. Bird bones need to be set quickly to have best chance of healing.
Oops, in addition, don’t just keep him in a dark closet. Birds need light in order to feed properly. If you can keep him in a quiet , closed room with something that lets light in (weighted window screen?) on top of the box, that would help.
Sorry this update is coming so late-for some reason my password wouldn’t work until today.
Anyhoo, I called my vet’s office from work yesterday morning. The receptionist gave me the number for a rehabilitator here in town who just completed her training, and she is so, so sweet! When I called her, she said she had plenty of room to keep Burt and would be more than happy to take him! I raced home, bundled him up, and got him out there. She examined him, and it turns out he couldn’t fly because there was a gash in his armpit (well, if he had arms. Wingpit.) and the wing itself may be sprained. She said he should heal completely. The kinda bad news…well, not bad since it works out well for Burt, but I digress…is that people in Kansas poison pigeons so he’ll be going to a bird sanctuary when he recovers.
Let me just talk about this woman for a minute. She had (among others) a bunny that came in that morning that had been hit by a car, a morning dove she’d raised from a hatchling (orphaned), and another white dove she thinks was released at a wedding that had been attacked by something. When she was telling me about these animals, she just looked so…I don’t know, passionate about healing them and getting them back outside, where they belong. I made her take $10 and change (all the money I had on me) despite her protesting to help defray the cost of antibiotics and stuff. It makes me feel so good to know there’s people like her, and those on this board, out there who are so devoted to healing animals! So, a happy ending all around, if you don’t count the Jayhawks losing last night.
Thanks Violet and spathiphyllum for the links and well-wishes. Thanks Juniper200 for the 4-H idea (they said to call Stone Sanctuary, but they were closed), zoogirl for the heads-up (get it? Heads-up? I slay me!) on lice, and to Broomstick for keeping me from having a heart attack over them. CrankyAsAnOldMan, your name sure doesn’t fit-thanks for the info! lorinda-you were right, he didn’t touch the bread at all. KarlGrenze, that’s so sad- at least you tried! Sophie-:eek: I gotta tell my brother about that! elelle-I was hesitant about putting him in there, but my cat fits under all the other doors in the house (but I don’t see how-she’s very. very. tubby.) I hope it didn’t hurt him any! Musicat-I didn’t follow that link, but I bet the name said it all! And finally rockingchair-Burt’s fine, but after all that coding I’m not.
shannyb : I’m so glad it worked out so well for you. I’ve been worried about your pigeon., and hoping for the best. I’m glad you finally found a rehabber near you. A gash should heal fine, and pigeons are pretty low-stress patients, so I think Burt has a fine chance, thanks to you.
Sounds like you’re rehabber is a fine lady, indeed. It’s not an easy job; your life becomes an odd timed round of feedings. I currently have 9 infant possums, feeding every three hours, and some incoming baby bunnies. In another month, your rehabber will be inundated with orphaned springtime babies, and not getting much sleep. It’s a labor of love. If you can give her another donation in a month or two, do it. It’s so needed.
Thanks for going the extra mile in seeing your pigeon through this. Every little creature matters.
I guess this turned out great for both of you–Burt will have a long, safe life at the refuge and you know you did all you could for him and very likely saved his life. Congradulations!
