Seriously injured pigeon in Tucson AZ

Our new member Janice Hernandez sent this contact message, as for some reason she was unable to post in the forum:

Janice Hernandez wrote:

I live in Tucson, Arizona and yesterday my husband came home with an injured pigeon he found on the road near his place of employment. It looks like it has a badly broken wing and also limps, favoring the leg on the same side. When we offered her seeds and water, she immediately started eating and drinking voraciously (I think she must not have eaten in quite some time to be so willing to eat out of my hand!)

Our problem is that we are getting the run around from the wildlife rehab centers and vets here in town and I'm getting the distinct impression that if we bring it there, they will just want to euthanize it! I feel like they think we're crazy to care about a pigeon. One of our neighbors, who is a volunteer for a nearby wildlife rehab center, even went as far as to suggest that if we drop her at a wildlife center they may use her as food for the hawks, and suggested that we just take her back to where we found her and leave her there to die...I almost started crying! This may be a common pigeon but it is a living creature and we feel compelled, by compassion, to help it. I'm so glad I found your site because at least it makes me feel like we're not alone in caring about this unfortunate bird. If it does not heal enough to be released, we are willing to give it a safe home (we already have a sweet and beautiful white Birmingham Roller Pigeon that was found by another neighbor out in the desert, unable to fly).

Anyway, do you have any suggestions as to what to do at this point? Do you know of any vets in the Tucson area that will have compassion and be willing to help us? I'm afraid if we try to set the wing ourselves, it may not heal right. It looks like it may be badly broken as it's hanging down and out to the side, practically dragging on the floor, and he/she doesn't seem to be able to control it. And then there's the leg issue. She must be in terrible pain and we don't know what to do... Please HELP!

Janice Hernandez

P.S. I registered on your site, and would have posted this in one of your forums, but can't figure how to log in.

I sent her our contact addresses for Arizona, and suggested she started with Dr.Pat Latas or Dr. Funk, as recommended by Jenn.

As for what that wildlife centre volunteer said to Janice, words fail me!!!!!!!

PLEASE DO NOT go to Dr. Latas ... after my experience last week with her I am about to report her in MANY ways!

Is there any way you can drive the bird to Mesa.... Dr Funk is located up there and he is amazing! We just took a rescued feral dove there last week and he always is so compassionate...and the prices are soooooo doable.

Also... as you are finding out we are EXTREMELY limited to pigeon resources in Tucson. The emergency clinic will see them but the cost is crazy... It is FRUSTRATING to say the least! AND The Wildlife Center and I have gone ROUND and round about this. We do have a certified rehabber here. BUT THEY will not TREAT Pigeons in any way shape or form! So I have had to learn a LOT on my own on how to "fix" these poor souls!

In all my years here .. I am willing to drive to Mesa to get the care that is needed because down here... this bird is a "nuisance" bird only.

Also Teresa... or Cindy, PLEASE REMOVE Dr. Latas from Matildia's List... I have lost COMPLETE respect for that office. And will and WOULD never recommend her again.

Thank you so much, Jenn!

Dr. Latas is off the list! And from what you say, the wildlife centre should be struck off as well...?

Janice, I hope the pigeon was not too seriously injured, and that you've mamaged to get help for him. Please keep us posted.

Teresa wrote:

Thank you so much, Jenn!

Dr. Latas is off the list! And from what you say, the wildlife center should be struck off as well...?

Janice, I hope the pigeon was not too seriously injured, and that you've managed to get help for him. Please keep us posted.

On all of the occasions I have had to deal with them regarding pigeons... I hung up the phone feeling completely frustrated. They are fantastic when it comes to raptors... songbirds etc.. But Doves/and/pijies.... NOT SO MUCH!!

Here in Tucson I haven't found anyone willing to rehab and release. Let alone anyone to treat them with the love and care they deserve and for a reasonable cost! Which has lead me to learn all I can, to treat my rescues. With Crash having POX and Bella who had PMV.... along with my blind babies...and wingless wonders.. I think I've covered my bases!

I hope this baby who was found... was treated with MUCH LOVE! Wherever she was seen!

My dear Jenn, your prayers have been heard, because I just got this message from Janice:

Janice Hernandez wrote:

Hi!

I want to thank you, the administration, and Jenn (a local "angel"), for providing me the names of vets that might be able (and willing) to help us with the injured feral pigeon we found the other day.

To update you: We have an appointment with one of the vets you recommended up in Mesa (about a 2 hour drive from here) tomorrow morning to have the pigeon treated. Thankfully, it is still eating and drinking, which I consider a good sign that he or she has not lost the will to live. I tried to tape the wing up, like is shows on your site, but he was too frightened and struggled, so I just let it be until we see the vet tomorrow.

I also want to express my gratitude for all the Pigeon Angels, whose posts I read, and received comfort and reassurance that I was NOT crazy for wanting to help one of God's humblest of creatures!

I will keep you all posted.

Thanks!

Janice Hernandez

P.S. Administration...could you please tell me how to log in? I don't see a log-in box anywhere. I am registered and activated (I clicked on the link in the e-mail I was sent after registering and when I tried to register again it said "Sorry, that ID has been taken"). I would like to post progress notes (and maybe a picture) in the appropriate forum.

So it looks like it's Dr funk they're going to see!

GOOD LUCK, JANICE!!!!!

Janice - thank you so much for being an angel for this injured pigeon. It is nearly unbelievable for me how someone from a wildlife center could react like this - it makes me absolutely wild and I think I would have slapped her into her face for saying something like that

But we don't want to extend things about such people.

More important is that you can find professional help for your bird and that s/he can recover. I can assure you that you are not crazy - on the contrary - a really loving person and not just someone who takes a mouth full. Thank you for being a true

Hi Janice,

Cindy tells me that she got in touch with you about using the little yellow waving icon to log in, so I hope that works!

I've been keeping everything crossed for you all day that the vet was able to help your little rescue and that you may have good news to share!

Unfortunately, Janice is still having log-in issues so she has asked if I would post her following update.

Janice Hernandez wrote:

Hi Cindy,

Thank you for helping us to figure out how to log in. I will try that.

As for our poor pigeon. My husband and I did drive the two hours up to see Dr. Funk at the VCA Animal Clinic in Mesa Arizona. He and his staff were all extremely compassionate and treated us and our charge with the utmost of courtesy and respect. They were also nice enough to give us a "courtesy discount" which reduced our final bill significantly. I highly recommend them!

Unfortunately, however, I have very sad news to report. After the exam and x-rays they informed us that her injuries were far more extensive than we thought. They showed us on the x-ray that both her wing and her leg had suffered complete fractures; her wing bones were completely severed at the shoulder joint and her leg bone was also completely fractured, jammed out of place, and protruding from the skin. They said it would require extensive surgery to repair these injuries, at a cost of over a thousand dollars, and that, even then, it was doubtful that she would ever be able to fly again, and may have residual chronic pain and not be able to walk properly. Dr. Funk also pointed out that she was significantly underweight, having suffered considerable loss of muscle tissue, and would not be able to re-gain muscle without being able to get the proper exercise. They felt the "most humane thing" to do, at this point, would be to euthanize her. Needless to say, we were devastated at this grim news and the awful choice we were faced with. As much as we wished we could save this poor soul, and even if we could afford to shell out over a thousand dollars for surgery, the prospect of her living with such limited physical capacities, and possible chronic pain, was heartbreaking. It did not seem humane for us to offer her that kind of a life. The doctor and staff also seemed caring and concerned enough that I trust they were not offering this suggestion frivolously. So, holding back tears, we reluctantly consented to send her back to The Creator, who does have the power to make her whole once again.

I want you to know that we did not make this decision lightly. Even as I type this I started to sob and had to take a break to calm down and wipe my tears (to no avail, by the way, as tears continue to flow even now as I write this). While logic tells us there was no other reasonable choice, we continue to ask ourselves if we did the right thing. But we are trying to take some comfort in the fact that we we at least provided this suffering soul a few days of food, water, safety and love and spared her from a horrible slow and painful death from starvation or predator attack. But every time I remember that tiny, wide open orange eye staring at me helplessly from the veterinary table, I start to cry and can't help but think..."was it pleading for us to save it's life, or that we put an end to her suffering?"

Why is it that some of us are so painfully sensitive to even the humblest forms of life, while others in this world think nothing of destroying life, often on a massive scale? Sometimes I wished I wasn't for it would make life easier (I remember the time I came home from work and saw a baby bird hanging lifeless from some nesting material outside it's nest in a Saguaro Cactus in our front yard and I cried for over an hour, thinking "If I had just gotten home from work earlier I might have been able to save it!") Perhaps, just as some people feel it is their "calling" to offer intercessory prayer for others, or provide humanitarian aid to the poor, perhaps we have been "called" to care for the weakest among us and come to their aid when needed. But this calling comes with a price...both financial and emotional!

So, again, I want to thank all of you for your support! I am so glad I found such a compassionate group of individuals that share a common passion and will check back to your website often. In the meantime, I would like to end on a positive note and post some pictures of our one SUCCESSFUL rescue...a white pigeon we named "Paloma" which I believe to be a Birmingham Roller, both because of her looks and the fact that we've seen her do some fancy "acrobatics" when flying inside the house. Since she was quite young, and obviously domestic, when we found her, she has become incredibly tame and we have provided her a "forever home" in our own house with a lovely large cage, daily free-flight exercise and lots of love!

Cindy, I tried to log in to post this message, and pictures, in the forum but still can't log in. In the meantime, could you just post this update n the forum for me so anyone who might have been following our situation can be informed of the outcome? Feel free to post the pictures too, if you're able. I tried to embed them in the mail portion but it wouldn't "send" so I attached them instead. Obviously, this will be my last post for this particular forum topic. But I've just got to find out how to log in so I can participate in the forums in the future!

Thanks so much!

Janice

Hi Janice,
As I stated in my email:

I am so very sorry to hear that your little rescue's injuries were so severe.
I've taken several birds to Dr. Funk and have always trusted his opinion. And in my opinion, under the circumstances, you made the right decision. I've been there and it's heart wrenching, to say the least.

That sweet little baby was given a gift so many pigeons aren't afforded . . .
The opportunity to be in the hands of loving and compassionate humans. Bless you and your husband for that.

Janice, I'm so sorry to hear this sad news!

I can empathise with your sorrow, but please do not torture yourself wondering if you made the right decision... you gave your little rescue everything you could have given her: love, protection, sustenance, the care of an excellent vet, and finally, freedom from pain. As Jenn would put it, God must have wanted her by His side.
She'll be flying high now, smiling down upon her angel on earth!

Thank you so much for including the pictures of your beautiful Paloma!

And thank you, Cindy, for posting the message and photos!

Oh wow...thank you all Sooooo much for your understanding and comforting words regarding the tragic outcome of our ordeal!!! I actually left your posts up on my computer screen the entire next day, and every time I started feeling bad I would go and read your comments and feel so much better! ''

As for Dr. Funk, I am so glad to hear that he is so trustworthy because it lifts a lot of the burden off us to know that we can trust his opinion. In fact, he and his staff are so sweet that we received a sympathy card from them in the mail today! And they added this hand-written note on the bottom: "Thank you for caring enough to bring in an injured pigeon"

Now that is one compassionate veterinary staff!!! '' How different from what I was encountering here in Tucson! I only wish he wasn't two hours away, otherwise I'd bring ALL of our pets up there!

Well, I've heard it said that some good always comes out of something bad and the good that's come out of this ordeal is that:

1) We now have a great medical resource should we ever need one again in the future and...

2) I discovered this wonderful cyber community!
''

Janice Hernandez wrote:

Oh wow...thank you all Sooooo much for your understanding and comforting words regarding the tragic outcome of our ordeal!!! I actually left your posts up on my computer screen the entire next day, and every time I started feeling bad I would go and read your comments and feel so much better! ''

As for Dr. Funk, I am so glad to hear that he is so trustworthy because it lifts a lot of the burden off us to know that we can trust his opinion. In fact, he and his staff are so sweet that we received a sympathy card from them in the mail today! And they added this hand-written note on the bottom: "Thank you for caring enough to bring in an injured pigeon"

Now that is one compassionate veterinary staff!!! '' How different from what I was encountering here in Tucson! I only wish he wasn't two hours away, otherwise I'd bring ALL of our pets up there!

Well, I've heard it said that some good always comes out of something bad and the good that's come out of this ordeal is that:

1) We now have a great medical resource should we ever need one again in the future and...

2) I discovered this wonderful cyber community!
''

I completely understand the drive! Locally... we use P.A.W.S Integrated Veterinary Care, ((They will not see ANY type of birds)) off of River Rd..... between La Canada and Campbell... they are wonderful and compassionate too. I'll post the link for PAWS below! , BUT--> they have a STATE OF the ART center... and you pay for that too. We've decided to drive the two hours to Dr. Funk for our 3 dogs and 2 cats..and ... here it goes... YEP 17 ((((wowsa))) INDOOR pijies and doves!!!! and we have a permanent NO VACANCY SIGN on the door!!! HAHAHAHA!!!

Im sorry that we had to meet you under the circumstance that it was. BUT, None the less.... I'm so glad you found your way here!
Here's the link for PAWS-----> http://www.pawstucson.com/

Hi Janice,

Great to see you are now able to post directly!

What a lovely, thoughtful note you got from Dr. Funk and his staff! It's such a comfort to know that, should your animals need it, there's a veterinary clinic you can entrust them to!
And I confess I was very moved by what you said about our messages making you feel better about losing your little rescue.

As Jenn said, we met in tragic circumstances, but it was great to meet you nevertheless. And I hope you'll visit often and tell us more about Paloma -- or just let her stand on the keyboard and tell her own story!

PS. Jenn, lovely to see you here, but please don't overdo it, or you'll have to go to Dr. Funk to get your wing taped!

Teresa wrote:

PS. Jenn, lovely to see you here, but please don't overdo it, or you'll have to go to Dr. Funk to get your wing taped!

The cool thing is Don bought me "Dragon Speak" So now I don't have to type a thing!!! I just talk and tell the computer what to do and it does it!!! It is MOST cool and sooooo helpful! BUT YES Ma'am!!!!
I am ..... I think Ive had enough MRI's to last my life now! LoL----Neurosurgeon appt. on Tuesday! ((((Much Love to you all!!)))

LOL...Teresa, what a good idea! Here... Paloma wants to say Hi "….ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss ss yhul; \;p[77y6"

I think the beginning part she must be telling you about the many sad days she spent out in the desert all alone, and toward the end is after she was rescued!

And, Jenn, is that Willow there with you in your new profile picture? She DOES look like Paloma! Do you know what breed she is? I thought Paloma was a Birmingham Roller but, now that I've read about King Pigeons, I'm wondering if she may be a King Pigeon. Paloma has a pretty small beak though, like most of the pictures of Birmingham rollers I've seen, and, even before I knew about Rollers, we noticed that she does this kind of exuberant half-flip here in the house (not quite a full roll)... even somehow managed to get some poop on the ceiling! I did find out there is a guy here in Tucson that raises Birmingham Rollers, so it is possible.

One result of this recent experience is that I've come to appreciate Paloma more. One of these days I'll post some more photos in one of the other forums.

Take Care!

Janice

It's great to see you are now able to post, Janice.

Janice Hernandez wrote:

LOL...Teresa, what a good idea! Here... Paloma wants to say Hi "….ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss ss yhul; \;p[77y6"

I think the beginning part she must be telling you about the many sad days she spent out in the desert all alone, and toward the end is after she was rescued!

So, in the first part, Paloma is describing the desert as 'the place that's full of side-winding snakes...?
And she was tickled pink at being rescued ;p on month 77 of Pigeon Year 6. Got it!

Quote :

she does this kind of exuberant half-flip here in the house (not quite a full roll)... even somehow managed to get some poop on the ceiling!

You gotta love a pigeon who can poop on the ceiling! I wonder if Spiderman... no, let's not go that way...

Quote :

One result of this recent experience is that I've come to appreciate Paloma more.

That makes perfect sense. In remembering the ones who have gone, we gain a new understanding and a stronger bond with the ones who are with us. And Paloma now has her own little pidgie guardian angel to look after her!

Quote :

One of these days I'll post some more photos in one of the other forums.

Great, we'll hold you to that!