please help ASAP! Found a baby pigeon

[bock]

Thank you for the reply! This morning his crop was full of air, except for a hard lump of food at the bottom. I massaged the air out, then I fed him a little bit warm water with a tiny bit of Kaytee in it. When I got home he had no air in his crop, but he has the same amount of food in there. Most of the water seems to be gone. I am keeping him warm and massaging his crop often, but nothing seems to work. I do have one apple, so do I add water to the blended apple or not? When I checked on him he was opening up his mouth and his head was twisting backwards!

He acts so hungry too. I looked in his mouth and their is no white spots in there. I can feel the grains of food betweenif I rub the crop between my fingers. Thank you! I really hope he pulls through.

 

[bock]

I just fed him a feeding of 50/50 apple and water. He loved it, and after wards I massages his crop. It seems like he keeps swallowing air though, because I can see a little air bubble at the top of his crop. Anyway, I really hope this worked!

I will probably pick up some ACV after soccer tonight. Do they sell that at grocery stores like Safeway? I have never heard of it. Thanks again!

 

[bock]

It seems to be working already! There is only a little bit of food left, but there is still a lot of air. I tried to push the air bubble out of his moth, but it wouldn't come out. Should I give him some more, or is to help him digest what is left, of is he ok?

 

[Kasia]

Is it possible that your dog punctured the skin on the baby? Dog (and cat) saliva has an enzyme in it that can kill a bird. If the baby has any punctures, and it sounds like he might since the air keeps finding itself in his crop, then you will need to put him on antibiotics.

Keep doing what you're doing, massaging his crop and getting the air out. How warm do you keep him? I'm praying that this baby makes it. Do you have any apple cider vinegar?

 

[bock]

He managed to digest all of his food, so I filled his crop half way with some very watery 50/5o of apple sauce and kaytee. I have been trying to keep it about 85-90 degrees for him. I am pretty sure he has no punctures on him, his sibling had a visible hole in its back. I think the air is from him eating out of the bottle. It is hard to feed him out of because if you tip it far enough back for him to really eat it, it spills. So when it isn't tipped back far enough he swallows air. But, he didn't have any air left before I fed him. I need to find something different to feed him with, but I don't feel comfortable using a syringe. Well, I am glad he is bouncing back.

I will have to get some ACV soon, I wasn't able to make it to the store tonight.

 

[arabianequine]

It is a needless syringe you know that right? It won't hurt the bird. It will be easier and you will have more control when you feed. You can get them from your vet or at a feed store. They are very inexpensive.

 

[bock]

I know their isn't a needle on it. I am just afraid I will accidentally put it into his lungs.

 

[bock]

I am afraid things have gone downhill again.

I just tried feeding him (I got some ACV), but he was totally unresponsive. His head was limp, he wouldn't open his eyes, and he was gasping for air.

I feel that his time is limited now. I said a prayer for his little soul and made him all warm and comfy. There is probably like a 10% chance of him living through the night. I just don't understand what I am doing wrong. Next time I think I will just let nature take its course and save myself the grief.

 

[Kasia]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear he's not doing good.

You're not doing ANYTHING wrong. You took this baby in and cared for it and loved it. You've done an amazing job. But I think that maybe the dog may have somehow scratched him with his teeth and bacteria got in. That's the only thing I can think of. Or he could have aspirated some of the formula. You said he swallows a lot of air when he eats. Is it possible that he may have inhaled some? That's why I prefer to use a syringe or a glass eyedropper.

I really don't know what to think.

You did a wonderful thing doing the best that you could for this baby.

 

[bock]

Kasia, I can not say thank you enough. You helped me give him the love and care he needed, and I am forever grateful.

He is barely holding on now, and I am pretty sure he aspirated some of his food. When he had crop slow-down I gave him some very watered down apple, and I remember he choked a little. I didn't think it was a big deal at the time, but I think that might be what did it.