A healthy pigeon was found on the street yesterday. He could not fly and would be ready meal for any cat.
After a lot of harrasing making me run around the street, I finally caught him. He has a broken left wing on the top. There is no new bleeding now. After catching him we put him in a box with some millet seeds and water which he immediately started to have.
After confining him in the dark for a day, yesterday we checked his wound which we had cleaned earlier with antiseptic to find it is turning bluish near his fracture.
Please suggest something. I work in a warehouse and cannot afford a vet. The climate is harsh 45 Centigrade and I keep him in A/c in my store office.
I have the pics posted herehttp://picasaweb.google.com/juzergandhi/Pijji?authkey=Gv1sRgCIDX84HyzZ3bYQ&feat=directlink#

Hi and welcome to the forum,

Sorry it's for unpleasant circumstances that you found us. The wing needs to be taped and held in position, but even doing that won't guarantee anything and depending on the fracture. The wing needs to be held in place the way it would be naturally. You can use a body wrap or just a sling to hold it in position. If you can't figure out how to do this, post back and I'll provide more instructions.

I remembered a good thread that shows how to strap up an injured wing:

Here's the link: http://pigeonchat.forumakers.com/sick-or-injured-pigeons-f22/pigeon-with-broken-wing-or-hurt-wing-what-to-do-t2115.htm

Welcome to the forum and many thanks for rescuing this pigeon and taking the time to share this with us.

Wishing all the best for this poor bird.

Great Lindi...thanks for remembering and finding that thread...I knew it was here somewhere. Hopefully this will help this person out with their pigeon.

Thanks for all the support. After looking through many images of wings, clearly it seems that the Ulna is the one that is broken.
I have bandaged the wing after cleaning the wound with diluted iodine solution. the image is here. I have made sure that his legs and anus are free from the bandage (As my bandaging the pijji shows the bandage going beyond his feet).
Only that he turns topsy when I leave him in his box. Only straightens out after some time but lying on his side. I hope that is ok and only a balance issue.
Kindly inform how much time next to keep him that way.HERE

I have no advice for you but wanna wish you and the bird the best.

juzergandhi wrote:Thanks for all the support. After looking through many images of wings, clearly it seems that the Ulna is the one that is broken.
I have bandaged the wing after cleaning the wound with diluted iodine solution. the image is here. I have made sure that his legs and anus are free from the bandage (As my bandaging the pijji shows the bandage going beyond his feet).
Only that he turns topsy when I leave him in his box. Only straightens out after some time but lying on his side. I hope that is ok and only a balance issue.
Kindly inform how much time next to keep him that way.HERE

Many thanks for updating us regarding your injured pigeon. It looks like you've done a great job in strapping the wing.

How well is the bird eating and drinking and how do the droppings look? If you haven't already done so, he might like some soft bedding or a towel in the box to help support his body while his wing is strapped.

Here is a good link offering advice on how to provide basic care to a lost/sick or injured pigeon: http://pigeonchat.forumakers.com/sick-or-injured-pigeons-f22/you-ve-found-a-pigeon-now-what-t1606.htm

Please do keep us updated with the bird's condition and many thanks again for your kindness in helping this bird.

We are also flying in to say

to the site!!

We sure wish all the best for your pigeon and look forward to positive updates!

Two Wings UP for helping him!! Please keep us updated!

Sending all our HEALING BEST...

Shi/MR. Squeaks/Dom/Gimie/WoeBeGone/Rae Charles

!Juzergandhi!! Very happy to count you among us. That is a marvellous job you are doing to repair the pigeon's wing. An experienced person couldn't have done better. The bird seems to understand you are helping him/her. Have you been pecked? I hope you are going to stay with us beyond your little patient's recovery. We would love to know more about you. Am very much looking forward to your new postings. Best wishes
Gladys

I cannot thank you all enough for helping me out here.
While leaving him at night I was a little upset, thinking if I am not humane enough to see this birdie all upside down and wrapped up without any movement. I was wondering if a free bird will last this night if wrapped up like this.
In the morning he was fine, if he can stay the first night then he will be ok I assume.
Thanks Gladys for your comments, and yes just to make sure that the position of the wings is correct, I have posted more pics on my earlier Picasa link taking a top down snap which I suppose shows the symmetry of the pijji. It looks alright I guess, but your opinions matter more.
Ah Yes, I had thought about the balance issue and kept him on a towel in his right position.
I now remove him from his box and keep him on my work table just to give him company. See he is sleepy. He must be getting bored
Just one more thing, what about his food? Looks like I will have to feed him initially by hand as he does not pick up millet seeds on his own.
As for his poops, it was the normal whitish greenish mixture, slightly on the watery side.
Pics here.

Thanks again for the update and photos juzergandhi. I can see that you are taking a lot of effort to make sure your pigeon is comfortable and safe. You are doing a wonderful job.

Your pigeon looks sleepy and this could mean that he is sick or suffering some stress due to his injury which is natural. It is most important that he is re-hydrated first before attempting feeding. I was reviewing the link that I posted regarding the wing strapping and while I agree that a pigeon in this state should not be left unattended with a deep water bowl, I'd be concerned that perhaps he is unable to drink from a shallow receptacle. You need to be sure from the start (especially in hot conditions) that a pigeon is able to drink adequately for himself. For supervised drinking, offer a small drinking receptacle containing water about an inch deep. Pigeons drink water using a drinking straw action with their beak. You may need to bring the bowl up to him gently so that the tip of his beak is in the water but making sure his nostrils are above the water. A dehydrated bird will most benefit from an electrolyte solution which can be easily made beforehand by adding a pinch of salt and sugar to a small water bottle for daily use. This is best kept in the fridge/or cool environment during hot weather and a new solution made up daily.

If the pigeon is not eating by himself you can offer defrosted (or rinsed canned) peas or corn by gently holding his beak open with his head tilted back slightly and popping in one or two peas at time making sure you see him swallow. At the same time this allows you to see the inside of his mouth. Do check that the mouth and throat is nice and pink and not covered in a cheesy yellowish (smelly) growth which indicates canker, a common and normally easily treated infection if detected early. I have often made little bread balls about the size of a small pea or smaller moistened with water as an emergency food which is easily offered. Wholemeal bread is best but white will do. Millet seed doesn't really have enough 'meat' for a pigeon but if you can get your hands on some wild bird/dove food that would be best. You can also offer uncooked soup/broth mix which contains barley, split yellow and green peas, peas and lentils. Pigeons also love unshelled sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, safflower seeds and chopped unsalted peanuts. These seeds are a good source of protein and fat. Wheat and a small amount of uncooked rice is appreciated sometimes also.

I hope this information is of help to you. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have. Thanks for keeping us updated about your bird. That is very important.

Thanks a million dear for the whole wealth of info that you have put out.
Well he is eating like a hog when I am hand feeding him. I guess his posture while sitting on the towel is making him awkward to eat as he does peck at seeds. He should get used to eating on his own in a day or so.
As for hydration. I have not kept any water bowl near him but I regularly attend to him by giving him Pocari Sweat in water. That should keep him healthy and hydrated.
The dried soup thing I can manage.
Will keep updated later then.

Just wanted to thank you for doing such a wonderful job in helping this bird.

Linda

Thanks Linda.

Okay. Now does anyone suggest changing the bandaging in a few days. I read it somewhere I should be changed if it is soiled. I just worry about him throwing a tantrum while changing and thereby causing injury again.
And sure 15 days. Is it not a little long to tie him up.

If the bandaging isn't heavily soiled, I would keep it in place for as long as possible to avoid delayed healing or further injury. It might be a good idea to have someone else hold the bird if possible when you do have to change the dressing. I'm not a rehabber and have no experience with wing fractures but I think it would be wise to try and keep the bandage on for at least 5-7 days before reassessing and redressing the wing providing there are no open wounds to the skin. If there are any open wounds the bird would likely have to have antibiotic treatment and the bandaging would need to be changed daily with daily wound cleaning.

With reference to a vet book I've just found on the subject of wing fractures, a great deal is mentioned regarding the importance of preventing ankylosis (where joints fuse together and cause permanent immobility). It is suggested that all wing joints that are involved with the bandage should be physically moved without displacing the actual fracture after 5 days when the initial bandage has been removed (a bit like physiotherapy). After the initial full bandaging has been removed, the next stage should be to make a smaller splint supporting the radius and ulna bones and leave in place for approximately 2 weeks.

Another thing I forgot to mention is to have a supply of grit available (preferably high calcium grit like crushed oystershell) for help with digestion of seeds and pulses. The calcium content of the grit will also aid healing of the fracture.

I know all of this seems quite complex and confusing but I hope you understand. Please ask any questions and I will try to help. Hoping one of our rehabber members will be able to help you further.

I add pulverized egg shells to my pigeon grit.

I save the shells from my soft or hard boiled eggs. Place them on a cookie sheet and bake at 250 degrees for about 2 minutes to get rid of any bacteria (or so I read).

Then I smash and crush between by fingers until the shell is very fine. Add to the girt with a tiny bit of sea salt and all is well!!

Hope this helps!

We are all sending our best for your pijie, juzergandhi!!

Please keep us updated with his progress.

We are sending healing thoughts with Love and Hugs and Scritches that the wing will heal so he can fly.

Shi/MR. Squeaks/Dom/Gimie/WoeBegone/Rae Charles

Great tip Shi! I hadn't realised about baking the shells first so I've learnt a lesson too.

It's been bugging me all evening about the information I posted from the wildlife rehab book. I've picked up the book again and the diagrams shown use a different splinting method. I've been studying the photos that juzergandhi posted and I think the bandaging already done is sufficiently good for the healing of the bone/s affected. The radius and the ulna are close together and work symbiotically in the flight patterns of the wing. They are both often fractured at the same time. The book recommends splinting the whole wing and initially wrapping it with a cohesive figure-of-eight banadge with at least one wrap around the humerous for support. After 5 days the second shorter splint excluding the elbow and carpal joint is made using a plastic splinting material with polyurethane padding and fixed carefully with sutures for careful alignment. Veterinary stuff which is not an option in this case.

In my efforts to help, I think I am making things more confusing. Again, I apologise for not having the answers. I can only offer advice on what I already know by keeping pigeons myself and by trying to apply my limited medical knowledge where possible and of course picking up rehabbing veterinary books to confuse matter more. Time for bed I think!

Lindi I think you've done a wonderful job of helping Juzergandhi. There is no guarantees anyway and without x-rays to see the fracture, this may not work. It also depends on how long the pigeon has been hobbling around with the broken wing before Juzergandhi found it. It may have already started to heal incorrectly and if this is the case then the bird will likely never fly again.

You're doing a wonderful job Juzergandhi and the best that can be expected. Thanks so much for helping this poor bird and hopefully you found him in time to get the wing set and wrapped so proper healing can begin.

My fingers are crossed.

Sorry for not keeping updates for the past 2 days. The piggi seems wonderfully ok. He has been feeding well on dried peas and corn and drinking water well too. Does not seem very upset either. I removed the bandage today morning and he was immediately on his feet flexing both his wings and grooming himself with his beak in his shelter. I think he was feeling the freedom. When lifting him and placing him on my hand, he was sitting calmly looking around and just waiting to leap out of my hand but he did let me pat him but after a couple of my petting strokes awkwardly jumped off streching his wing on to his box.
Hope everything is going as planned. Should I wrap him up again?
Kindly inform.
Sending a snap of the hero in the same earlier link.
Please see the first snap of the series, where there is a bluish purple colour of the skin, thankfully that has gone completely and is normal pink now. Only where there seems injury of (cat?), there is loss of feathers, will they come back.
Will he fly again?