Brad on Wed Aug 19, 2009 4:28 amFractures
A pigeon limping or a leg which may be twisted out of shape should be taken to a wildlife centre or vet who can X-ray and set it. If this is impossible one can use the diagram below as a guide. Fractures in the upper part of the leg are best attended to by an expert. Extend the leg and wrap it in wadding to protect the skin from pressure. Cut a straw to a length that is shorter than the wadding so that the sharp ends do not cut the skin. Slit the straw lengthwise, fit it over the wadding then cover with adhesive bandage. Leave in place for 2-3 weeks, longer if necessary. Bird’s bones are hollow and very frail. Fractures near joints do not mend well, and compound or multiple fractures need experienced attention. Fold the fractured wing into its natural position. A figure of 8 bandage holds a broken wing in place then another bandage is wrapped over the damaged wing, around the body then under the sound wing. Leave for about a month. Also, many pigeons lose toes or legs because of discarded tackle or threads, and can be injured by fishing hooks. Please pick up such dangerous debris and dispose of them safely. Bird feet can be disentangled using nail scissors and antiseptic spray from any chemist can be applied to the area afterwards.
Injuries/Shock
An injured pigeon may be suffering from shock. This means that blood vessels become inflamed and restrict the blood supply, particularly to the toes. These feel cold. To counteract this, keep the bird warm i.e. in a box with a wrapped hot water bottle. The condition should not last longer than 3 hours. Give the bird 5 drops of Stressvit morning and evening to
come out of the shock quickly.Bach’s Rescue Remedy is helpful. Use the same technique if you know the bird is concussed ie. it flew into a patio door or car. Keep the box away from noise.
Kite Injuries
Many pigeons become a victim to kite strings. About 80-85% of pigeons get cuts on the wings and the remaining 20-15% on neck or legs.
Wing treatment: the bleeding part should be immediately placed under running cold water or keep ice cubes on the particular part of the wing. Press it with a handkerchief or any other soft clean cloth. Apply Betadine or any antiseptic liquid/cream and then bandage it. Follow the same procedure for an injured neck or leg though caution must be taken
that the water does not enter inside the mouth.
Dehydration
In summers birds get dehydrated and often fall on the ground due to lack of stamina. Add a little glucose or pinch of sugar to the drinking water or any other electrolyte solution to rehydrate the bird.
Exhaustion/Starvation
Exhaustion generally applies to birds that have exercised beyond their endurance. If one comes down in your garden etc. it will appreciate some food. A pinch of sugar or glucose in water would also be of benefit. If the breastbone can be seen or easily felt, there is muscle wastage and the bird is suffering from malnutrition and needs help. In most cases the fatigued pigeon recovers in a day or two and will leave on its own.
Injuries/Shot
A puncture wound is generally painful and may bleed. Only a vet can tell if the pellet is still present and remove it to prevent infection. Part the feathers and clean the area with iodine. If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure for a full minute with a finger swab or cotton bud. This is vital since all birds have a small blood volume and movement accelerates
blood loss. Keep the patient still. Heavy panting or laboured gasping may mean imminent death.
Injuries/Cat Attacks
Pigeons are commonly caught by cats. Typical injuries are scratches or holes under the wings or on the back with considerable feather loss. In all cases, even if it seems recovered, antibiotics from a vet are necessary since cat’s teeth carry bacteria. Clean the wounds with saline solution or antiseptic spray like Betadine or Gentamicin or Himax. Half an aspirin can be given if the pigeon seems in pain or inject Diclovet I/M .32 ml. Warmth and quiet are essential. Give the bird multivitamin solution like Vimral and Stressvit.
Source: Animal Welfare Board of India
A pigeon limping or a leg which may be twisted out of shape should be taken to a wildlife centre or vet who can X-ray and set it. If this is impossible one can use the diagram below as a guide. Fractures in the upper part of the leg are best attended to by an expert. Extend the leg and wrap it in wadding to protect the skin from pressure. Cut a straw to a length that is shorter than the wadding so that the sharp ends do not cut the skin. Slit the straw lengthwise, fit it over the wadding then cover with adhesive bandage. Leave in place for 2-3 weeks, longer if necessary. Bird’s bones are hollow and very frail. Fractures near joints do not mend well, and compound or multiple fractures need experienced attention. Fold the fractured wing into its natural position. A figure of 8 bandage holds a broken wing in place then another bandage is wrapped over the damaged wing, around the body then under the sound wing. Leave for about a month. Also, many pigeons lose toes or legs because of discarded tackle or threads, and can be injured by fishing hooks. Please pick up such dangerous debris and dispose of them safely. Bird feet can be disentangled using nail scissors and antiseptic spray from any chemist can be applied to the area afterwards.
Injuries/Shock
An injured pigeon may be suffering from shock. This means that blood vessels become inflamed and restrict the blood supply, particularly to the toes. These feel cold. To counteract this, keep the bird warm i.e. in a box with a wrapped hot water bottle. The condition should not last longer than 3 hours. Give the bird 5 drops of Stressvit morning and evening to
come out of the shock quickly.Bach’s Rescue Remedy is helpful. Use the same technique if you know the bird is concussed ie. it flew into a patio door or car. Keep the box away from noise.
Kite Injuries
Many pigeons become a victim to kite strings. About 80-85% of pigeons get cuts on the wings and the remaining 20-15% on neck or legs.
Wing treatment: the bleeding part should be immediately placed under running cold water or keep ice cubes on the particular part of the wing. Press it with a handkerchief or any other soft clean cloth. Apply Betadine or any antiseptic liquid/cream and then bandage it. Follow the same procedure for an injured neck or leg though caution must be taken
that the water does not enter inside the mouth.
Dehydration
In summers birds get dehydrated and often fall on the ground due to lack of stamina. Add a little glucose or pinch of sugar to the drinking water or any other electrolyte solution to rehydrate the bird.
Exhaustion/Starvation
Exhaustion generally applies to birds that have exercised beyond their endurance. If one comes down in your garden etc. it will appreciate some food. A pinch of sugar or glucose in water would also be of benefit. If the breastbone can be seen or easily felt, there is muscle wastage and the bird is suffering from malnutrition and needs help. In most cases the fatigued pigeon recovers in a day or two and will leave on its own.
Injuries/Shot
A puncture wound is generally painful and may bleed. Only a vet can tell if the pellet is still present and remove it to prevent infection. Part the feathers and clean the area with iodine. If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure for a full minute with a finger swab or cotton bud. This is vital since all birds have a small blood volume and movement accelerates
blood loss. Keep the patient still. Heavy panting or laboured gasping may mean imminent death.
Injuries/Cat Attacks
Pigeons are commonly caught by cats. Typical injuries are scratches or holes under the wings or on the back with considerable feather loss. In all cases, even if it seems recovered, antibiotics from a vet are necessary since cat’s teeth carry bacteria. Clean the wounds with saline solution or antiseptic spray like Betadine or Gentamicin or Himax. Half an aspirin can be given if the pigeon seems in pain or inject Diclovet I/M .32 ml. Warmth and quiet are essential. Give the bird multivitamin solution like Vimral and Stressvit.
Source: Animal Welfare Board of India
