Seagull with club foot

Got a phone call from Lidia tonight, to go and pick up a seagull she'd just found while feeding the feral cats.
She was easy to catch, lying on the grass. She's an adult and she's got an awfully swollen, mis-shaped foot.
I let her rest in a quiet, dark place in the carrier while I finished my dinner. Half an hour later I found her standing up and very nervous about my presence.





I've never seen anything like this, poor bird, but given the colour that foot looks badly infected. However, she can put her weight on it, as you can see.
She wouldn't eat or drink, so I put a small sardine (laced with 20 mg Baytril) in the carrier for her to eat in her own time. I'll phone the wildlife centre in the morning.

Oh my goodness! Poor thing. Her foot looks very painful.
Her eyes are really bright though. They don't seem to have that dull look that they get when they're really not feeling well.

I have no idea what that is. It does kind of look like a fungus of some kind.

I hope she recovers without incident.
Please keep us posted.

She was collected today, to be treated at the marine life rehab centre.

This morning she looked very perky, having polished most of the 5 small sardines I'd left her. And by the looks of her water, she'd had a drink and a splash in it!



I hope they'll be able to treat her swollen foot.

Thanks for the update, Teresa.
I hope all goes well for her. She sure is a pretty little one.

I've just found this thread. Did you ever hear any more about here, Teresa?

No, not yet. The vet should have seen her this weekend, so hopefully I'll know more tomorrow.

It will be very interesting to find out exactly what that is on her foot.

Seabreeze is much better!

That awful swelling on her foot was a bad infection with lots of necrotic tissue, resulting from a bite or similar injury. She responded well to the course of Baytril and the debriding of the wound, but after some days became stable and there was little further improvement. So earlier this week they switched to another antibiotic, and she's improving well.
They reckon she may be ready for release next week.

Appreciate the update. I'm so glad things are going well.

This is great news Teresa!!!

Teresa wrote:

Seabreeze is much better!

That awful swelling on her foot was a bad infection with lots of necrotic tissue, resulting from a bite or similar injury. She responded well to the course of Baytril and the debriding of the wound, but after some days became stable and there was little further improvement. So earlier this week they switched to another antibiotic, and she's improving well.
They reckon she may be ready for release next week.

:Yes: