Help!Bird with broken legs

GodLovesU

JesusFreak
Premium Feather Member
Jun 6, 2024
2,743
4,657
381
Southeastern US
My Coop
My Coop
A little sparrow ,or other songbird, got it’s legs caught in my brother’s mouse trap. My mom found it and brought it in the house. I’ve filled out this template with its information. I have a lock-in tonight and won’t be around but my mom will. I don’t have much hope for the little guy but want to know how to make him comfortable. It has perked up a little since we brought it in. Nobody at my house (including me) has the nerves put it out of it’s misery.

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
A sparrow, adult, idk weight
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
It is breathing fast and not moving.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
I have no idea how long it was in the trap but it managed to move it yards away from its original place
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No, I pounded it into my brother’s head that there better not be any more traps down there.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
Both legs are definitely broken, bleeding, and limp.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Mouse trap
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
I offered water but it didn’t respond
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Hasn’t pooped
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Released it from the trap, brought indoors, and put in a quiet room
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
Vet is not really an option.If anyone knows of a rescue in N.C.?
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I don’t have a picture of the legs but they’re pitiful.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Pine shavings.
IMG_8552.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Darn, I’m so sorry you are in this situation. That would be a tough one for me, too. I’m going to call on @CCsGarden bc I feel like she has a lot of experience with wild birds and rehabs them occasionally.

Unfortunately, no matter what you are able to do for this little guy, he may ultimately become too stressed out from human intervention and pass due to the stress. But on the other hand, what other choice have you if you cant get him out of his misery? I’m sorry you’re dealing with this :hugs it’s hard to watch animals suffer. For broken legs, I think splinting is really the only option, but it can sometimes cause more issues if it is done incorrectly. Even doing it correctly is risky due to circulation issues. Here is a splinting manual if you’d like to try. You may also want to treat him for shock by keeping him some place warm, dim and quiet for a while. Provide electrolyte solution with a bit of honey or sugar mixed in. Are any bones exposed?
 

Attachments

  • Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010 2.pdf
    2.6 MB · Views: 7
Darn, I’m so sorry you are in this situation. That would be a tough one for me, too. I’m going to call on @CCsGarden bc I feel like she has a lot of experience with wild birds and rehabs them occasionally.

Unfortunately, no matter what you are able to do for this little guy, he may ultimately become too stressed out from human intervention and pass due to the stress. But on the other hand, what other choice have you if you cant get him out of his misery? I’m sorry you’re dealing with this :hugs it’s hard to watch animals suffer. For broken legs, I think splinting is really the only option, but it can sometimes cause more issues if it is done incorrectly. Even doing it correctly is risky due to circulation issues. Here is a splinting manual if you’d like to try. You may also want to treat him for shock by keeping him some place warm, dim and quiet for a while. Provide electrolyte solution with a bit of honey or sugar mixed in. Are any bones exposed?
He’s in a warm quiet place.
We’re messing with him as little as possible. Thanks for the splinting manual. If he perks up anymore I may try that. If I can get him to drink, I’ll make him the electrolyte drink. I don’t know about bone exposure, his legs are really bad though. Now that you say that,I bet he is in shock. Thanks for all the help and encouragement!
 
He’s in a warm quiet place.We’re messing with him as little as possible.Thanks for the splinting manual.If he perks up anymore I may try that.If I can get him to drink,I’ll make him the electrolyte drink.Now that you say that,I bet he is in shock.Thanks for all the help and encouragement!
Good luck, I’ll be sending some prayers your way. You could try gently dipping his beak in the water/electrolyte solution. CC will probably have some helpful more information.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom