no rest for another wicked - a last goodbye to little Tinchen

This is another sad day. Had to call the emergency vets this morning again.

A few days ago I noticed a little light grey, blue-bar pij, apparently a little lady who appeared to me not okay. She was a bit slow in her movements and while I watched her closely I noticed little tremors of her head but nothing else. I mean the tremors were hardly noticable but they were there from time to time. Her plumage looked nice, shiny and clean and I could not detect any bad poops from her. So I decided to look out for her whether there was any change.

This morning when I went out to start the day as usual with cleaning and feeding my feathered sweethearts I realized that little Tinchen was on the floor again. She hardly moved away when I came nearer, and when she tried to fly upwards she hardly could land on the balustrade - it looked as if a very young bird was not able to fly really yet. So my suspicion grew that this might be the beginning of a PMV infection.

So I decided to catch her, knowing with a heavy heart that if my suspicion came true she would be euthanized. I don't have the space nor any possiblity to quarantane a bird, not to speak of treating her the right way. I had no other alternative either, in order not to risk spreading the desease to all the other birds on the balcony. There is no way to really disinfect that area completely. I can only scrub the floor carefully and the balustrade. I collected all the pieces of cloth with which I coverd our bycicles and other things and washed them in the machine. I disinfected the drinking bowl of course. Food is not on the balcony.

Catching Tinchen was easy - she did not even struggle. So I put her into a cardbox with 2 little holes in the side, so that she could look outside. I switched on some soft music and there she sat in the box, apparently quite calm and relaxed. I offered her some seeds and she picked heavily but she could not eat although she tried hard. So I gave her a small deep cup where she could dive in with her beak but even this way she did not manage to eat more than one or two seeds. So she gave up again.

I gave her another cup with water and vitamins - this she could manage - at least she drank quite a bit. She was really very calm in her box, slept a little while and then woke up again. I could even stroke her softly on her breast and sides. She looked at me whenever I looked how she was doing. Did she know? I am not sure.

In the afternoon the vet came and he confirmed what I had feared already. I am very sad

I am so fed up and I have enough of death. I know this is part of life but this is just too much now...

so sorry you're having such a tough time just now {{hugs}}

sweet dreams Tinchen

My dear Petra...I'm so sorry. It seems there is never a shortage of heartache to go around and some of us experience it more than others.

I am so sorry. no rest for another wicked - a last goodbye to little Tinchen 319297

Bless you sweet Tinchen no rest for another wicked - a last goodbye to little Tinchen 735397

Posts : 733 Join date : 2009-01-17 Location : England

I am so sorry that you found yourself in such a sad situation. Thank you for what you did for her, I know it was hard for you.

My real commitment to pigeon rescue (ie building the aviary) was prompted ten years ago by my first PMV rescue, Feefo. I realised that there was a need in my area for someone that was able to offer quarantine and a permanent home to pigeons that were suffering from PMV, as the only other alternative was euthanasia. I was lucky to have a garden that would accommodate an aviary.

RIP Little Tinchen.

Feeling so helpless in this kind of situation on one side and so angry on the other that there is so little help for these birds who happen to mean nothing for most people.

This is the same discrimination that is done to human beings in need in the neighbourhood and those who are elsewhere in this world but bring much more attention for the media.

I am sure if this had been an exotic bird it would have been a completely different situation. I am crying my head off not only because of this but also because Pina decided to stay away this evening. She could not have chosen a worse moment for chosing her own life but what can I do but let her go. It is so hard... Very sad

I believe that no mater where we live, there are other kind souls willing to hep if we can find them. Finding them is without the hard part.
That said, Petra maybe you can ask your vet or the vet that came to your house, if either know of Pigeon rehabbers in Munich or around there. I think you will find a kind sould that can take sick/injured Pigeons that come to your balcony. Keep asking and looking for rehabbers because somewhere in Munich there is a Charis or a Teresa or a Plamenh or a Cynthia or a Janet. etc. ... that can help.
Remember...Crazy Pigeon People are everywhere.

I hope Pina comes home soon.
Group hug

Posts : 733 Join date : 2009-01-17 Location : England

Quote :: I believe that no mater where we live, there are other kind souls willing to hep if we can find them. Finding them is without the hard part.

I speak no German, so have to rely on the "translate this page" feature, but some of the people on this forum sounded nice...

http://www.tierforum.de/t58754-verletzte-tauben.html

Maybe a starting point?

And is this a german feral pigeon forum that includes rescues?

http://ww.vogelforen.de/forumdisplay.php?s=8c58287a3c9bd900472aa9f758974daa&f=152&order=desc

I wish I understood more languages!

I'm so sorry, Petra! Group hug

Rest in peace, little Tinchen! pigeon 1

Matilda wrote:: I believe that no mater where we live, there are other kind souls willing to hep if we can find them. Finding them is without the hard part.
That said, Petra maybe you can ask your vet or the vet that came to your house, if either know of Pigeon rehabbers in Munich or around there. I think you will find a kind sould that can take sick/injured Pigeons that come to your balcony. Keep asking and looking for rehabbers because somewhere in Munich there is a Charis or a Teresa or a Plamenh or a Cynthia or a Janet. etc. ... that can help.
Remember...Crazy Pigeon People are everywhere.

I hope Pina comes home soon.

Charis, as always you hit the nail on the head. Instead of continuous mourning I started detailed research yesterday and began to write to all kinds of orgs, people whether they can help me to find addresses of people who would take care for an injured/sick pigeon. I want to be prepared for the next time. I am so fed up with this misery, crying and feeling so helpless.

Pina came home this morning for breakfast and now she is inside, sitting on her board and apparently does not want to go out again. What a difference this new morning makes. I am awfully tired from a terrible night but now the sun is shining a bit and things look a bit more friendly. no rest for another wicked - a last goodbye to little Tinchen 789920

no rest for another wicked - a last goodbye to little Tinchen 789920

A big ~~group~~ Group hug

back to you.

Cynthia wrote:

Quote :: I believe that no mater where we live, there are other kind souls willing to hep if we can find them. Finding them is without the hard part.

I speak no German, so have to rely on the "translate this page" feature, but some of the people on this forum sounded nice...

http://www.tierforum.de/t58754-verletzte-tauben.html

Maybe a starting point?

And is this a german feral pigeon forum that includes rescues?

http://ww.vogelforen.de/forumdisplay.php?s=8c58287a3c9bd900472aa9f758974daa&f=152&order=desc

I wish I understood more languages!

Cynthia, be glad that you don't! But you are so right with your suggestions - I know these pages but thank you so much for your help. The problem with the first forum unfortunately is that there are lots of completely ignorant people who write of flying rats and that pigeons are a nuisance and need to be killed. I do not understand why they don't throw these poisening and hateful people out of this forum.

I am a member of the second one. The problem with this forum is that you have to wait quite some time until you get an answer on your queries. It is not like Pij'n Angels where people are so dedicated and friendly that they are literally always there to help.

German forums tend to have a different language - they are full of sarcasm and simply stupid answers which don't help at all and only offend people who might not know the right thing to do but want to help anyway. I hate German forums but if necessary I use them anyway.

You guys are the true Pigeon angel

Posts : 733 Join date : 2009-01-17 Location : England

I am so glad that Pina is home!!!! What a relief!!!! Thrilled

We have terrible hateful people on forums in the UK, too. I shrink away from those forums even though I know that I should be fighting to correct impressions. Cindy started this forum specifically to fill a niche for "Pigeons in jeopardy and their friends"...only their friends. That is why it is such a haven for pigeon lovers.

I am certain that somewhere, hidden away very quietly, there is someone that will be able to help you. I used to use the RSPCA to take my rescues to, but one evening I found a little yellow emu shaped squeaker in the road as night fell...it was winter. When I called the RSPCA they started off by saying "Thanks to your human interference this pigeon will die...and it's no good trying to return it to its parents now as they will reject it because you have touched it..." Obviously I couldn't trust any animal to an organisation that showed such an appalling ignorance while also declaring themselves specialists.

I had my aviary for PMV pigeons but this little one was perfectly OK, once I had raised it to fledgeling size it needed to mix with normal pigeons and be released. In the past I had found that the best way of finding help was to ring one place, and - if they were unable to help - to ask them if they could recommend someone, and then start the conversation with the next person by saying "X recommended that I telephone you"...I can't remember what route that took me down, but it led to Carol, a wild bird rehabber who loved pigeons but wasn't advertised anywhere, so that is where Billy and several other pigeons that I didn't think I was experienced enough to help in those days went. Sadly, like many rescuers, Carol "burnt out" a year or so later and gave up rescuing, but first she taught me essentials like tube feeding and I carried on with the pigeon rescues, supported by the excellent advice of my friend Helen and the surgical skills her vet Laura (who was 300 miles away, but worth travelling to Smile

).

I am so sorry Petra. I can understand how it feels when you have to hand it over to vets who wouldn't care less before euthanising. But you did the best you could. RIP little Tinchen :(
Glad though that Pina is back Group hug

and yes apart from PA, i haven't found any other forum equally dedicated to the cause of pigeons. That's what makes this place so amazing.

Thank goodness Pina is home safe!

Keep doing your research so you are prepared for the next sick or injured that comes your way. I know you will find someone wonderful to help you out.

Group hug

Matilda wrote:: Thank goodness Pina is home safe!

Keep doing your research so you are prepared for the next sick or injured that comes your way. I know you will find someone wonderful to help you out.

Yes - I want to be prepared when the next poor pijji needs help.
Love you all Circle of Love

I can only ditto what everyone has said and do hope you find all the help you need.

I was so lucky last year to find a lady only down the road from me who works tirelessly for animals and birds. Like Cynthia said, it starts with asking a question of someone, then hopefully on it goes from there.

I was desperately in need of someone to take care of my birds while I went away for two weeks. I had three pigeons at the time with injuries that needed daily attention and medication. I had called several rescue centres with no luck then one day I was in my local vets for my dog and just happened to ask the receptionist if she knew of anyone.
She gave me numbers of profesional pet sitters but that was no good as I needed someone who could give meds and bathe wounds. I was running out of time and I couldn't say to my family we couldn't go away. Then the receptionist just as an after thought gave me the number of this lady they pass injured birds onto for rehab. She said it might be worth a call.
It was a miracle. She didn't know me but with no hesitation offered to come to my house every day we were away to look after these birds. It was as if someone had answered a prayer.
We stay in touch and I have now introduced her to the rescue centre I take my birds to for release, and she uses them aswell now. It is such a relief to have someone that can help locally in an emergency., and we can help each other out if needed.

Welcome home Pina, don't do that to your 'mum' again. :For Shame:

Janet

Thank you so much for telling this story, Janet! I will continue to look for someone who could help here too. Circle of Love

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back home Pina. no rest for another wicked - a last goodbye to little Tinchen 333746

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Janet. no rest for another wicked - a last goodbye to little Tinchen 458406

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