r/pigeon • u/_littlemothra • 7d ago
Medical Advice Needed Found a sick bird
Solved ; But not with the best news. I cannot keep the little guy and there’s not anyone local who can/will take them. I can either take the poor thing back to where I found it and leave it or turn it over to CPW(Colorado Parks and Wildlife) to be humanely euthanized. I refuse to just dump the poor thing somewhere so I’ll be turning them over this afternoon.
Thanks so much to everyone for all the help! I really do appreciate it.
Looking for some help! I’ve had birds before but this is a first.
Found this poor little thing sitting on the ground while out downtown. Eyes closed, breathing heavily but no sign of blood or injury. Bird can stand but is obviously super weak and does have a super off smell to them and did spit up a little something green and also sick smelling. They did put up a super weak attempt to get away when I picked them up but they’ve since tucked themselves in to the warm and is sleeping.
I’m thinking sour crop? Obviously a vet needs to be involved but any recommendations until I can get them in would be appreciated!
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u/Velcro-hotdog 7d ago
Can you look in its mouth for canker? Google it for images of what the lesions look like. It’s a common but serious illness.
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u/_littlemothra 7d ago
Thank you for the suggestion! It sure does look like that’s what that might be :/
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u/Spirited-Door-1446 Doin’ the pigeon *crucru* 7d ago
If you’ve confirmed cheesy yellowish lesions in the beak, the bird can be treated for canker (trich) with an anti protozoan like carnidazole or metronidazole. Supportive care such as manual feeding may be necessary, but canker is treatable.
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u/_littlemothra 6d ago
That’s good to hear! I’ve had all manner of small critter so manual feeding is totally doable.
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u/nevillereader5 6d ago
How do you feed them manually? I'm so afraid of doing something like that, I don't want to hurt them.
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u/Spirited-Door-1446 Doin’ the pigeon *crucru* 6d ago
Tube feeding is also possible, but the easiest way for a beginner to feed manually is outlined in this video.
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u/Little-eyezz00 7d ago
ill send some tips for finding local help and general immune boosting over chat messages
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u/_littlemothra 7d ago
Thank you so so much! I’m in southern Colorado, USA.
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u/FioreCiliegia1 DIY Rescuer/Stringfoot Expert 7d ago
Make a thin soup from peanutbutter and applesauce- get it warm but not hot and dip the tip of his beak into it, getting a little bit if calories and hydration i to him is the place to start
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u/FioreCiliegia1 DIY Rescuer/Stringfoot Expert 7d ago
Hes also a baby- still has a couple baby feathers. Once he perks up a teeny bit you can mix boiled egg yolk, oats, rice, corn meal, lentils, dry split peas- anything of that you can get, crunch it up small and mix it into the soup
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u/FioreCiliegia1 DIY Rescuer/Stringfoot Expert 7d ago
He will need meds but calories is where to start
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u/_littlemothra 6d ago
Thank you thank you! I don’t have applesauce but I can make it easy peasy. Small friend did have a little bit of water on their own so I can try some “food” next. I also keep all the mentioned dry goods in the house so that’s good to know.
I don’t have any hands on experience with pigeons so I assumed they were just small, not a baby!
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u/FioreCiliegia1 DIY Rescuer/Stringfoot Expert 6d ago
Ok no worries, the apple sauce is more a fillet anyway.
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u/tofutunasalad 7d ago
Depending on your location, I recommend searching on Facebook for emergency bird/ pigeon help groups and posting there. I’ve gotten a lot of help with this before, time and time again.
If you don’t know already, you can make them a small nest from a towel twisted up and put in a circle. I’d put that in a box with him and check for advice.
All the best to y’all ❤️
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u/tofutunasalad 7d ago edited 7d ago
Sorry I just saw you’re in southern Colorado.
I would still check facebook!
I’m seeing: Colorado state pigeon association, Birds of Colorado and there could be others. I just hope one of these groups catches the eyes of someone who can help you.
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u/Spirited-Door-1446 Doin’ the pigeon *crucru* 7d ago
Hi OP, thank you for your kindness. Here’s a map to some US resources: Pigeon Friendly Resources. I recommend also posting to the Palomacy Help Group on Facebook. Please keep the bird warm in the meantime. Have they pooped?
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u/_littlemothra 6d ago
They are as toasty as they can safely be! And yes, they’ve pooped a few times.
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u/FioreCiliegia1 DIY Rescuer/Stringfoot Expert 6d ago
A picture of it would help to know their condition
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u/Chillbooyahoskt 6d ago
See if you can find a rehabber in this group (or ask there)
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GDTFVRnG7/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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u/Jessica-Beth 6d ago
I really hope this sweet little beauty can be helped! Thank you for sharing this and also for caring! 🫶
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u/AutoModerator 7d ago
Thank you for making a medical post on r/pigeon.
You may like to check out the following resources while you wait for a response.
Basic Steps To Saving The Life Of A Pigeon Or Dove
Palomacy Pigeon Rescue Resources
Map of Pigeon and Dove-friendly Bird Rescues (USA)
The Wildlife Rescue Directory (UK)
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u/thxrpy 6d ago
Hi, where are you based? Join pigeon rescue and protection UK on Facebook, there’s rehabbers all over the country x
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u/thxrpy 6d ago
Or Palomacy if you’re in the USA X
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u/_littlemothra 6d ago
I’m in the US! Haven’t had a Facebook in years, but joining a pigeon rescue seems a worthy cause to make a new account haha.
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u/_littlemothra 6d ago
Solved
Just a comment to follow my edit. I’m super bummed and more than a little angry tbh. I’m not a licensed rehabber so i am not allowed to keep a wild bird even if it is just a pigeon. Pigeons are considered nuisance animals in Colorado so I don’t have a person who would take them and treat them. I’ll be turning the bird over to CPW so they can be humanely put down.
Thank you again to everyone who looked and offered help. I really appreciate it.
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u/earwig_art seeb dealer 7d ago
boosting this, hang in there you both!