Cat brought in a young dove

[nurse_turtle]

My "hunting machine" of a cat brought in a rather mature but juvenile common grey dove. Closer inspection revealed a few injuries. Small but full thickness laceration to the top of her head (I replaced the tiny flap of skin and just flipped it back over the wound to encourage healing). There are puncture wounds on her back between her shoulders with a little skin missing, I can see a bit of what appears to be muscle tissue. There was some red discoloration around her mouth, but unsure if blood. I have placed the dove in the "hospital". I used a cardboard box with holes, which was previously a shipping box for live chicks, to keep her in with some bedding, food and water. I covered the majority of the box with a towel. Now 12 hours later, she is feisty and active. I placed a medicated organic ointment to her wounds. I would like to look at her closely today but do not want to stress her further. Any advice is appreciated, especially if I have done something wrong. Also, will she be able to survive in the wild after being contained at this young age?

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

You are doing great. Make sure you keep antibiotic ointment on those wounds. The bacteria in cat and dog saliva can be deadly. If you don't have any poultry antibiotics to put in the water, you can put some apple cider vinegar in the water. 1 tablespoon per gallon. Basically a half a teaspoon per pint, so you don't have to make so much at a time.
Can you post pictures of the dove? Of course what you feed the chickens will work as dove/pigeon food. If you have it inside, you'll want to keep it away from air vents so it doesn't get cold (drafts are rough on birds, even though they can take some extreme temps). Otherwise I can't think of anything you haven't already done!

 

[nurse_turtle]

The puncture wound between her shoulder blades had apparently damaged her lung. I could see fluid rising to the surface through the puncture and it had a bad odor. I gave her to my Dad for a quick and humane exit. She tried. I tried.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Are you sure it was the lung? Could have been an air sac or the crop.

 

[Lofty Dreams]

One of my pets had a ruptured air sac with a slight bit of puss hes fine now