Two more sick pigeons (from the park) today.

One didn't make it, passed away in a matter of minutes. He was a very young adult, just skin and bone, very dehydrated, with a lump in his crop. As it was an extremely hot day, I didn't warm him, just gave him some hydrating solution, but I could tell that wouldn't be enough. As I can't do sub-q, I was about to try the emergency hydration through the vent I read about in PT once, but there was no time. :(
It's so strange... I found him 'roosting' in the middle of a narrow street, where he had just missed being run over (the car's wheels passed either side of him). I had taken that as a sign that it wasn't his time to go, but I was wrong.

The other one, also a young adult, can't walk or fly much. The wings are okay, but one of her knees is very swollen. I couldn't feel any fractures, so it might be Salmonella. She can eat and drink by herself, but has a little difficulty swallowing. I put her on Baytril, Flagyl, and (once a day) Metacam for the joint inflammation. Does that seem alright? She's on a soft mattress and I've called her Penny.

I'm sorry to hear about your incoming and the passing of one, Teresa.
It sounds like it might have been a bad case of canker, given the lump in the crop.

Glad to hear Penny is holding her own.

Please do keep us posted on how things are coming along.

Teresa, so sorry again. One should think that as someone who takes care of so many creatures you should be used to death just like in a hospice for people who are dying from cancer or aids. But I think despite everything you can never get used to death even if this is part of all life. It remains difficult to accept and it is painful - always...

Teresa...I'm so sorry.
How is Penny doing today?

Penny is eating and drinking well, she's more aware of her surroundings and she's moving about a bit more -- but she's cheating, using her wing for extra support and favouring her swollen knee.
Here she is. Sorry the photo isn't very clear but I didn't want to intrude too much. The sore leg is the one facing us.

This was the state of my baldylocks, Lillith, a few days ago:


and this was taken 2 days ago, when she moved to larger quarters:


Today she was flying much better. Although you can still see bare patches, she can fly 3 metres or more straight from the ground. I may release her soon, as she's getting so impatient to go I keep having to cover her cage to stop her attacking the bars.

Here she is (earlier today) playing musical chairs with Piper:

This is Paul, victim of a severe string injury that had already cost him two toes.
I found him in the park at lunchtime and he fought me all the way home trying to break free. One feisty customer! :)


I managed to get all the fine nylon string and the callous skin it was embeded in more easily than ever before by following the advice of using sterile vaseline to loosen them. (I wish I'd known this when I treated Merlin, it would have saved us both HOURS!)




As he was totally freaked out at being indoors and there were no wounds or bleeding, I decided to release him after applying some antibiotic cream. He stood ( ) on the scaffolding outside for a few seconds, then whoooosh!

They really are something else, aren't they? :That\\\'s so f

I think that's a good decision, to keep her a bit longer.
SHE may not think so!

You did a great job on taking care of Paul's foot. I know he was ever so grateful.
They may not act like it, but deep down, they are.

You're so right about Lillith!