Pigeon/bird injured

[psychobird]

you so great to be taking such wonderful care of him :)
and the best of luck on your term paper
i once got into an argument with an 8 yr old (yep i did) about what was better, being a kid or an adult
i won when i said i don't have to do homework

[psychobird]

and that i can eat all the sugary cereal i want

[2ndHandRanchRescue]

This is just so awesome - so far away in miles but team work and so close with TSB for this little pij!:Love_Icon

[astra]

Hi Tomcics and Nancy!
Yes, an injured animal and the end of semester... what a combination

Jodi,

So, I soaked the hole by wrapping it in wet paper towel and letting him sit like that for about 40min.
Then, I dabbed the diluted peroxide. I couldn't get the other stuff b/c the person at the pharmacy said it is off the market.

I also got the bacitracin ointment and after letting peroxide air dry for a little bit, I put the ointment generously. I didn't wrap it, I just burritoed the piji himself. He won't be able to "lick" it or eat it, will he?... he can't even eat seeds well right now, so I hope he won't be able to eat the ointment. I don't even know - can pijis reach their legs?...

Now, after he sat with the wet paper towel, he got a little bit wet (even though I wrapped the paper towel in plastic so that it would not get him wet).
I remember reading on the pigeon site that wet pigeons need to be on a heating pad to avoid pneumonia.
I could put him on a heating pad, but now that there is potential infection/inflammation under that scab I am hesitant b/c heat is not good for infections/inflammations.
Will he be ok without the heating pad?... I wrapped him in many thick layers of a blanket, only his head is peaking.

Another question: I have been trying to clean his poop and all, but since I am not here during the day to clean it every few hours, some of it dried up pretty hard around his bum vent. Will it be ok to just trim those little feathers around his bum?

I am going to soak his feathers tomorrow again to get rid of the dried poop smears and I am going to do that as CrM suggested - by having him sit with a wet paper towel.
Can I use gentle soap to wash those feathers?

But again, my concern is his potential inflammation - will it be ok for me to put him on a heating pad tomorrow after that bath, or no?... or will he be ok to dry wrapped in a blanket without the heating pad?...

I assume they shed and re-grow feathers, right? (I know, might be a silly question, but still - want to double check everything) because there is only one feather left in his tail.

ok, now i have to go and finish that stupid paper

[Scooterzmom]

You're an amazing, caring person to care for Piji the way you do. He's a very lucky birdy and he sure has me rooting for you both :Love_Icon :grouphug

I would think that since you are treating that leg infection/swelling and he's already on ABs it would be OK to place him on a heating pad. If I recall what my vet had said about our little budgie "with birds it's not just the cold that can cause pneumonia, it's the lingering humidity against their body that sends the shivers". I'm sure psychobird knows more than I do and I'd check with her 1st.

[psychobird]

I wouldn't trim them, if some get plucked out he will grow more
If he is really wet I would put him on heat
But don't wrap him up
I know it's a pain to have him scooting around, but he needs to carebfor his feathers
I would wrap the foot, even if it's with a few band aids or gauze and tape
Doesn't have to be tight, just to hold in the ointment and not contaminate his feathers
Plus it will help keep it clean
Alright got another idea for you
So you don't have to immobilize him so much
Take 2 empty quart containers for milk or orange juice
The plastic kind
A couple of inches from the bottom cut a hole big enough for hi
To get his head in there , maybe like a 3 inch oval shaped hole
That way he can eat and drink without getting in it
You could use gallon jugs too if you have enough room in the box
Make sure you take a lighter to the cut edges to smooth it so he doesn't get cut
He must be goin stir crazy, I would let him move around a little

[astra]

I wouldn't trim them, if some get plucked out he will grow more
If he is really wet I would put him on heat
But don't wrap him up
I know it's a pain to have him scooting around, but he needs to carebfor his feathers
I would wrap the foot, even if it's with a few band aids or gauze and tape
Doesn't have to be tight, just to hold in the ointment and not contaminate his feathers
Plus it will help keep it clean
Alright got another idea for you
So you don't have to immobilize him so much
Take 2 empty quart containers for milk or orange juice
The plastic kind
A couple of inches from the bottom cut a hole big enough for hi
To get his head in there , maybe like a 3 inch oval shaped hole
That way he can eat and drink without getting in it
You could use gallon jugs too if you have enough room in the box
Make sure you take a lighter to the cut edges to smooth it so he doesn't get cut
He must be goin stir crazy, I would let him move around a little
ok, will put him on a heating pad right now.

The only thing is I am confused with this heating pad.
The first time I used it was last week when I washed his bum.
When i put it on low, it was barely warm - is that how heating pads are supposed to be on low?... never used one, so I don't know.
But it was barely warm, really.

So, I put it on high to warm it up fast, then, I lowered it to medium, then, I lowered it to low, but on low it was barely warm. So, I kept going back and forth switching.
Is that a defective heating pad, or is that how it is supposed to be - barely warm on low?

So, I guess, I should leave those dried up bits of poop around his vent?...
The reason I asked is b/c on the pigeon site someone said that if it got clogged I might have to trim the feathers around it.
But if you say not to, I won't.
Just bothers me a bit the the has that dried up poop.

He does care for his feathers - he unwraps himself and tries to get under that bandage which holds his wings. I am sure he will be super excited to have that thing come off.

As for the milk containers, sorry, what are they for?...
I don't have any of those plastic containers, so I will have to go and buy one.

[psychobird]

Containers r for his food and water, I used one for my crippled girl, she just flings seed everywhere
I do think you should get the poo off
Usually it pulls off, might take a few feathers with it
Suppose if it doesn't go ahead and trim, just be careful you don't cut his vent

[psychobird]

Not sure about the heating pad, sit on it for while I bet it is warmer than you think, just make sure he can get off of it If he gets to hot

[jo_schmoe]

Astra...remember if you are touching something...you are already almost 99 degrees. ( your hand).....If the feel of something is warm to you....then its warmer than 99....so if you feel warm on low....that sounds about perfect. Bird temp is 103-104 ( I think)....so....it might be just right. :thumbsup

[psychobird]

Here's hooded crocks
http://www.internationaldovesociety.com/Pics/Feeders/CeramicHoodedCrock.jpg
Using a milk jug is the same idea, just make sure the opening in low and big enough for him to eat and drink comfortably
That will keep him from making a big water mess and pooping in it
Those crocks work great btw for messy Pijis but the extra large ones are not that cheap, maybe after the vet nightmare is over you can pick some up

[astra]

ok, yes, he does fling the seeds all over the place AND gets his breast wet.

But then, don't they bathe?... if he ends up bathing, will I have to put him on a heating pad then, too?

so, he is on a heating pad right now.

can't wait till it's Friday.

After Fri I don't think I can keep him in a box, can I? Won't he try to fly out of the box?

I have a rat cage, it's low but long enough to give him some room to walk. So, he won't be able to fly but will be able to walk around.

Now, is there a way to potty-train him?... or confine his poop to one area?
Also, I remember reading on the pigeon site about a brick. I guess, I have to start looking for a brick.

[astra]

Here's hooded crocks
http://www.internationaldovesociety.com/Pics/Feeders/CeramicHoodedCrock.jpg
Using a milk jug is the same idea, just make sure the opening in low and big enough for him to eat and drink comfortably
That will keep him from making a big water mess and pooping in it
Those crocks work great btw for messy Pijis but the extra large ones are not that cheap, maybe after the vet nightmare is over you can pick some up
thanks, def. will look into it.
And will def. try the milk container idea, too.

[astra]

now, he hasn't been on the pad 10 minutes, but is already scrambling to get off it.
Should I let him, or should I keep him on the pad?

[astra]

Astra...remember if you are touching something...you are already almost 99 degrees. ( your hand).....If the feel of something is warm to you....then its warmer than 99....so if you feel warm on low....that sounds about perfect. Bird temp is 103-104 ( I think)....so....it might be just right. :thumbsup
thanks, Jo... a good point of reference...:thankyou

[astra]

If I recall what my vet had said about our little budgie "with birds it's not just the cold that can cause pneumonia, it's the lingering humidity against their body that sends the shivers". I'm sure psychobird knows more than I do and I'd check with her 1st.
:thankyou I read something along those lines, so I guess, heating pad it is

[psychobird]

hey astra, no don't make him stay on, i'm sure the room is warm too
i can't wait till friday either!
that cage sounds fine
a good cage for piji's is long rather than tall, like guinea pig or rabbit cages
they like shelves and bricks over perches
yes they do bathe, and once he is healed up he may love to take a bath
dish pans, big low bowl, even cat litter pans r good for that
nope, there is no way i know of to potty train a pigeon, lol
there are little flight suits you can put on them, you'll have to do a little research prob on pigeon talk for what size to get
bird crap is part of my life here, i just keep paper towels handy
anyways, i got some visuals here for you
here's the milk jug feeder

[psychobird]

i didn't put fire to the edges though
okay, now you might want to try the shaker feeder with him
once you make it
you put his beak in the slit all the way and tilt the bottle up and wiggle it
he probably won't know what the hell you are doing to him at first, but once he understands he will start gulping down the seeds
do it for like 30 seconds at a time and give him little breaks just to swallow
the blue stuff is vet wrap

[psychobird]

if he gets how to eat from the shaker he will LOVE it, it's a more natural way for them to eat, rather than corn n pea popping

[astra]

Thank you for all photos, Jodi - very, very helpful.

So, the shaker is just a pill container with something stretched over the top with a slit in it and he is supposed to insert his beak into the slit?...
Can I use anything to cover the top or does it have to be some specific material?

I WOULD LOVE for him to start eating stuff on his own, BUT I don't think he can.
I watch him sometimes when he tries to peck at the seed - he does not know how to do that. He picks a seed in his beak, but then, does not seem to know how to get it into his mouth and actually swallow it.
he does the same thing when I am feeding him pellet pieces and some of the crumble and crumbs end up on the blanket in which he is wrapped when i am feeding him.
so, he tries to peck at those crumbs and all he can do is just pick them up and hold them at the very end of his beak. But then he loses those crumbs, does not seem to know how to actually eat them.

Will he learn how to eat them?
Is there anything I could help him with in that respect, other than pecking the seed with my finger?... because he knows that he needs to peck it, he just can't get it into his mouth.

He is getting feistier and feistier and, probably, yes stir crazy (who wouldn't after two weeks of bed rest), so I am kind of dreading tomorrow afternoon.

Because now I will have to chase him in the cage to grab him to feed him.
And i have always been afraid of grabbing birds because they start their wing fu and I don't know how to grab them without accidentally breaking their wings.

I still have my paper to finish, so may not check in until later in the evening.

[psychobird]

it helps if it's something stretchy, that's why i use the vet wrap
if he likes the seed shaker (and i mean if) it will help him learn to eat on his own
and yes he will eat on his own, he is at the weaning point, and soon you should be able to drop a feeding
try to think positive for tmrw, i'm excited to see how he healed up

[psychobird]

anxiously waiting

[Nickys_Mom]

anxiously waiting
Me too, I'm still lurking and have been following Astra's pigeon. You are doing awesome Astra, that's one lucky pigeon. I hope it's good news at the vet today.

[Scooterzmom]

Lurking here too... still amazed at the great job you're doing astra.

[astra]

My little Pigi is sleeping peacefully now...

... that hole that we thought was infection was another break and a bad one, because it was an open break. He must have broken it while trying to crawl and move around.

... the other "bad" leg didn't heal well - the knee fracture didn't heal and was infected, too. The vet said that with the knee fracture not healed well he would be in constant pain and discomfort. And that new other open break had a risk of being as bad as the knee break...

... his wing didn't heal well - the vet said he would not have any use of it...

... I cried as I stroke his little head while he was passing...

... I am still crying...

Jodi, thank you for ALL your help and encouragement, and everyone who have been lurking and checking...

I think I won't be posting anything today...

[jo_schmoe]

Oh Astra!!! I have no words....I hate this....I seriously just plain hate this.....:sad

[tomcics]

Astra, crying with you, so very sad to read this.

[JLM27]

I'm so sorry it didn't happen the way we all wanted. You tried heroically and in the end gave him a great gift. You were his angel. Now he will be yours.

[2ndHandRanchRescue]

Astra, my heart hurts with you and for you. You are amazing and were his angel. What a gift you have for compassion. :Love_Icon

[Scooterzmom]

Oh Astra...:grouphug :sad I'm completely heartbroken for you. For you and for all of us, and I too am crying... buckets :Cry. We had all fallen in love with that poor birdy and stood in awe of all that you were doing for him. He was loved, and he knew it, of that I am certain. :grouphug

R.I.P. sweet Piji. Fly, fly away high and free, all the way to the heavens sweetheart. You will be missed and you have left such love behind you will never be forgotten.

[HRT4SQRLS]

astra,
I am so very sorry. I followed pigi's progress from the beginning and was so touched by your compassion and commitment to this friend. Even though his injuries were so severe and the odds were against him you gave him a gift. You gave him compassion and love. He felt it, so did we. You are a very kind person astra. My heart aches for you.:(

[redwuff]

Fly high Piji, soar above the world. RIP little Buddy.

Astra.....

[pappy1264]

Awww, I am so sorry. I was just speaking with Jodi, as she is not home, but I let her know and she wanted me to tell you how very sorry she is. I am sure she will post herself when she gets home. RIP sweet baby. Astra, you did all you could, leg injuries in birds are tough. But she was warm, fed and loved, which she would not have had without you.

[Nancy in New York]

We stand in awe of you.
Your compassion and commitment to little pigi left me speechless from your first post to this last one....:Love_Icon

Rest in Peace
Little pigi http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/TSB%20photos/dove2.gif

[psychobird]

ugh..i'm absolutely heartbroken for you, i can't even express how sad i am over his needing to leave you, i just cant think of any words
you were so wonderful to have taken such good care of him, i had convinced myself that he was going to be okay and you were going to have a piji best friend for years to come
i knew he wouldn't be perfect but i was sure he was on the mend
i'm just so sad i can't even handle it right now
fly free pretty baby, and please god comfort astra

[Nancy in New York]

....and please god comfort astra

Amen

[Chickenlegs]

You gave that sweet little bird life in so many ways--and now the kindest gift of all. You set him free. Blessings. Fly little one. Your mom gave you back your wings :Love_Icon

[stepnstone]

:grouphug

[blessedbeingmom]

Astra, I am so sorry. We were all pulling hard for your pigeon, and are sad for your loss. :( :sad

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Every time we love ,it helps us grow more love for another.
:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Nickys_Mom]

Aww, Astra I am so sorry. You did amazing with little piji and he knew love and comfort before it was time to go. My heart breaks for you.
:grouphug :Love_Icon

[astra]

:grouphug ... thank you everyone ...:grouphug

[Twi_prime]

Astra, I'm so sorry you lost your Pigi. :grouphug

[astra]

Astra, I'm so sorry you lost your Pigi. :grouphug
Thank you twi prime:grouphug

[JakesLittlePrincess]

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet Piji. :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug
Just caught up on the thread and did not expect it to end like this.

[astra]

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet Piji. :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug
Just caught up on the thread and did not expect it to end like this.
thank you, Jake...
actually, when I brought him to the vet first, they needed a name to put him in their system... I didn't have a name for him, so ... I remembered your Peeper... and that's how my little pigeon was known at the vet...

[JakesLittlePrincess]

Hehe, The Atomic Peeper. Such a character.

What you did for Piji was just amazing. You got a lot of good advice from knowledgeable people and didn't think twice about acting on his care. You took him in and gave him safety, food, medical care, most people wouldn't have even stopped for the little guy. :bowdown :bowdown