Injured feral pigeon - need help!

[sophtoph]

Pics will help. I would confine it in a smaller cage with fresh food and water. Is it disoriented in any way? Sometimes they can hit a wire and have no obvious signs of injury but be very out of it. How did you find it? Hope this helps! And please post pics asap.

I have posted some pictures for you, they're in a different reply. We did our best but we're losing the light and didn't want to stress the poor thing out. He doesn't seem disoriented at all, his heart rate is steady and he seems calm. I have contained him in a cat carrier as he was eager to escape the confines of the enclosure I built him in my shed, despite ending up on his face each time. My colleague found him yesterday morning rolling around unable to stand near our workplace, which is in a harbour. I read somewhere that pigeons living around fisherman often become tangled in fishing line, thus cutting off the circulation to their feet. But there was nothing wrapped around his legs when I got him. I've taken in an injured pigeon before, so my colleague waited until I came into work today and asked if I would take him. Meaning it's been a good 24+ hours with no water now. Thank you for your help!

 

[sophtoph]

Pics will help. I would confine it in a smaller cage with fresh food and water. Is it disoriented in any way? Sometimes they can hit a wire and have no obvious signs of injury but be very out of it. How did you find it? Hope this helps! And please post pics asap.

Here are the photos. Thanks!

 

[WVduckchick]

Were the toes discolored like that when you got it, or is that from the bedding? Almost looks like the beginning of frostbite. I wondered if it might be very young, but does appear to be an adult.

Can’t remember if anyone tagged @Hokum Coco for thoughts

(Oops Lisa did. )

 

[WVduckchick]

Let’s also call on @casportpony

 

[biophiliac]

Were the toes discolored like that when you got it, or is that from the bedding? Almost looks like the beginning of frostbite. I wondered if it might be very young, but does appear to be an adult.

Can’t remember if anyone tagged @Hokum Coco for thoughts

(Oops Lisa did. )

I was thinking that was the poop on his feet? I'm really sorry I can't think of anything else to suggest. I am concerned it may become dehydrated if it won't drink. OP mentioned the poop was green and white which does not sound good.

 

[Lukemjm]

My wife and I rescued a show pigeon a couple years ago, it escaped and couldn't find it's way back home. If the bird is letting you hold it without much fuss, chances are it is very exhausted and likely starving and dehydrated. Go to a pet store and find some bird feed that says it's good for doves or pigeons, try to feed it that. Also make sure the bird always has access to fresh water and food and a comfortable, safe, low-stress environment. Doesn't seem like there's much to do other than that without a vet visit.

The pigeon we rescued just needed a couple days of TLC and a safe home with food and water. It couldn't stand for the first three hours we had it, until he had time to digest the feed we gave him. After two days, he was back to a healthy, chipper, cooing boy, who just wanted to snack and flap around.

 

[sophtoph]

Were the toes discolored like that when you got it, or is that from the bedding? Almost looks like the beginning of frostbite. I wondered if it might be very young, but does appear to be an adult.

Can’t remember if anyone tagged @Hokum Coco for thoughts

(Oops Lisa did. )

That discolouration on his feet is unfortunately his own mess. My colleague left him in a crate overnight with no bedding, so he obviously tipped over into his own mess quite a lot. I could do with some tips about how to give him a wash without making him cold or uncomfortable. I haven't wanted to so far, in case he was in pain. But he seems a lot brighter than he was earlier - not quite so floppy and bit better able to hold himself up. That might just be wishful thinking though...

 

[sophtoph]

I was thinking that was the poop on his feet? I'm really sorry I can't think of anything else to suggest. I am concerned it may become dehydrated if it won't drink. OP mentioned the poop was green and white which does not sound good.

I'm concerned about dehydration too... I just dipped his beak in some tepid water and he just sort of rested his chin on the edge of the cup and his beak on the surface of the water. I couldn't really tell if anything went in, but the water tension at least moistened his mouth. Any tips on how to get him interested in fluids? I have a tube feeder with a small syringe - I was thinking dropping beads of water onto the end of his beak might be easier than trying to interest him in a deep cup.

 

[biophiliac]

My wife and I rescued a show pigeon a couple years ago, it escaped and couldn't find it's way back home. If the bird is letting you hold it without much fuss, chances are it is very exhausted and likely starving and dehydrated. Go to a pet store and find some bird feed that says it's good for doves or pigeons, try to feed it that. Also make sure the bird always has access to fresh water and food and a comfortable, safe, low-stress environment. Doesn't seem like there's much to do other than that without a vet visit.

The pigeon we rescued just needed a couple days of TLC and a safe home with food and water. It couldn't stand for the first three hours we had it, until he had time to digest the feed we gave him. After two days, he was back to a healthy, chipper, cooing boy, who just wanted to snack and flap around.

Good idea and I hope you are correct. Sometimes if they are too dehydrated they won't eat. I think I would try to give some drops of water on the tongue from a syringe if it doesn't drink soon. Make sure the water dish is at least an inch deep and dip his beak in gently to give encouragement.

That discolouration on his feet is unfortunately his own mess. My colleague left him in a crate overnight with no bedding, so he obviously tipped over into his own mess quite a lot. I could do with some tips about how to give him a wash without making him cold or uncomfortable. I haven't wanted to so far, in case he was in pain. But he seems a lot brighter than he was earlier - not quite so floppy and bit better able to hold himself up. That might just be wishful thinking though...

I don't see why you can't use a damp cloth to clean it. When it feels better it will bathe itself.

 

[biophiliac]

I'm concerned about dehydration too... I just dipped his beak in some tepid water and he just sort of rested his chin on the edge of the cup and his beak on the surface of the water. I couldn't really tell if anything went in, but the water tension at least moistened his mouth. Any tips on how to get him interested in fluids? I have a tube feeder with a small syringe - I was thinking dropping beads of water onto the end of his beak might be easier than trying to interest him in a deep cup.

Yes, I think you should do that. First open his beak and see if the mouth looks nice and pink with no obvious yellowish lesions.