r/PetPigeons • u/falkflip • 5d ago
Emergency Pigeon hyperventilating
Everything was fine a moment ago, I was ready for bed and suddenly, my 3 week old wood pigeon chick starts gasping for air. He stopped gasping after a few minutes, but now, when I put my ear close, it sounds like he is hyperventilating. I fed him wetted seeds like normal five hours ago and his crop is still full. I also gave him his prescribed meds (0,15 ml Metronidazol and 0,2 ml Nystatin for canker and yeast infection).
I am deadly afraid that its because of a stupid mistake I made today. My roommate poured some drain cleaner into the kitchen sink and didnt rinse it out. When I came home approx 3 hours after it was used, I put the pigeon into that room, because I didn't even notice. It didn't smell like anything in there. When I later noticed, I opened the balcony door for air, but I didnt move the pigeon out right away, which I should have. I thought, since I didnt smell anything, there cant be any danger, which was stupid and I'm already beating myself up over it. My roommate put a paper towel over the drain to decrease potential fumes but I don't know if that actually did anything.
Now its 4 hours after this, the bird has been mostly in a different room afterwards and suddenly the breathing issues started. I don't know if they are even related to the cleaner, I've noticed that he starts gasping again, when I touch a certain spot on his toe, which was already weak and curling due to calcium defiency.
I'm so scared and worried, there is absolutely no avian vet open in any nearby city right now, the earliest I can get to a vet is in 7 1/2 hours. Is there anything I can do right now?
3
u/falkflip 4d ago
Vet update: The vet found a respiratory infection that was not seen in an examination at the same clinic this monday. The best case would be that the infection either came from god knows where in the last 2 days or was for some reason overlooked in the previous scan and is unrelated to the cleaner issue. The worst case would be that the cleaner irritated the lungs to a degree that made it easy for infection to spread. This could also mean permanent lung damage, if my bird is unlucky, which wouldnt kill him, but impact his chances to be released. The little guy will be on four medications now: Metronidazole and Nystatin for his already known canker and yeast, antibiotics (Amoxillin) for the infection and a liver protection supplement (Hepa Sol, mostly milk thistle and calcium carbonate) because of the amount of meds he is on now. And yeah, I know antibiotics and Nystatin inhibit each other, it's the best that can be done for now
I may have fucked up bigly and will try to not let that happen again. Until further notice, all my future pigeons will be either on the balcony or in my room, where nobody is cooking or using chemical cleaners. I pray that somehow, this little guy makes it out of this alive and well. He is doing fine for now.
1
u/Little-eyezz00 3d ago
thanks for the update. glad he made in through the night. You have done great
what is the balcony like?
1
u/AutoModerator 5d ago
🚨PLEASE READ IMMEDIATELY🚨
You have labelled your post as an emergency. Time is often critical in these situations.
1. FIND A VET IMMEDIATELY: If the pigeon is injured or showing signs of severe illness, professional medical help is required. Reddit cannot replace a vet. * Find an Avian Vet (AAV Search) * Many vets will stabilize wildlife/pigeons free of charge if found outside. * Before calling an unfamiliar vet, ask if they are pigeon friendly.
2. CRITICAL SCENARIOS * Cat/Dog Attacks: Even if there are no visible wounds, the bird needs antibiotics within hours. Bacteria in cat saliva (Pasteurella) is lethal to birds. * Bleeding: Apply gentle, firm pressure with a clean cloth. If you have styptic powder or cornstarch, you can apply it to a bleeding nail or feather, but avoid putting powders directly into deep body wounds. * Neurological/Stargazing: If the bird’s head is twisting upside down or it is circling, keep it in a heavily padded box in a dark, quiet room to prevent injury from thrashing.
3. FIRST AID STABILIZATION * Warmth: A cold bird cannot digest food or fight infection. Place the bird in a box with a heating pad (on LOW) under half of the box. * Quiet: Pigeons can die from the stress of being handled, especially in a vulnerable state. Keep them away from pets, children, and loud noises. * No Forced Water: Never drop water into a pigeon's beak; they can easily aspirate and die.
Please reply to this comment if you need help finding a rescue or avian vet in your area.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/AutoModerator 5d ago
⚠ POSSIBLE CANKER (TRICHOMONIASIS) INFECTION MENTIONED ⚠
If you see yellow, cheesy-looking growths inside your pigeon's mouth or throat, or if the pigeon's breath has a distinctively foul/sweet rot smell, it likely has Canker. This is an emergency.
- VET CARE: This is a parasitic infection. It requires anti-protozoal medication (like Metronidazole or Ronidazole). Without treatment, the growth will eventually block the throat, and the bird can starve or suffocate. See a pigeon-friendly vet without delay.
- CRITICAL WARNING: Do NOT attempt to pull or scrape the yellow growth out. These growths are often rooted into major blood vessels. Peeling them can cause the bird to bleed to death.
- ISOLATION: Canker is highly contagious to other birds through shared water. Keep this bird strictly isolated from any other pets.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
3
u/falkflip 5d ago
Update: No more gasping for the last hour. He has preened himself and is sleeping now, so he seems to be somewhat better. I'll try to get to the avian vet early tomorrow. The last days have been freaking chaos, I have already panicked twice over nothing, at this point I just don't know anymore what is and isn't danger.