Sick Feral with missing toe

Deja vu -- another sick feral showed up looking for help. He was walking & moving slowly and stumbling occasionally. He's missing a toe, but that might be an old injury. He was easy to catch, but resistant to examination. The inside of his mouth is grayish and so is his cere. Here are some photos:






He ate a lot but pooped a little. This is the status almost four hours after I put him in his milk crate:



A few small droppings with a lot of white urate.

He only drank a little water.

Suggestions?

Is he thin?

Jim... I would treat him for canker, starting tonight.

The missing toe looks like a well healed old injury. Possibly a thread/string victim.

I agree with Charis to get him started on a canker med.

Sending best wishes to you both. Please keep us posted.

Matilda wrote:

Is he thin?

Yes -- not emaciated, but thin.

Matilda wrote:

I would treat him for canker, starting tonight.

I have spartrex, 250 mg tablets of Fishzole and a brand new bottle of Meditrich (100mg.) Which one should I use?

Start him with 1/2 meditrich tonight and do the same for the next 4 nights.

I gave him the 1/2 meditrich tablet last night. This morning he drank a bunch of water but didn't seem interested in food. He is becoming increasingly non-responsive. He has only eaten a few seeds throuought the day. My plan is to start force-feeding corn & peas. Is there anything else I should be doing?

Give him another 1/2 pill now. Does his crop feel like it is filled with fluid?

[quote="Does his crop feel like it is filled with fluid?[/quote]

Checking now...

Nope -- no fluid.

OK...no fluid in the crop.
If the bird were in my care and based upon what you have told us this is what I would do.
1.] 1/2 meditich [metronidazole 50mg] now and for the next 3 days
2.] before bed tonight, 1 appertex
3.] starting tomorrow morning, 1/4 of a baytril pill [12mg] and every day for 9 mornings
4.] in 10 days, 1 appertex
For the duration of treatment, medistatin as perinstructions in the insert.

In addition ...feed the bird defrosted peas 40-50 everytime the crop empties. Have food always available and plenty of water. It would be good to buy a larger see mix...pigeon mix would be prefered but dove mix is OK too. You can add dried peas, lentils,brown rice, chopped raw peanuts, small popcorn...all of which you may be able to find in bulk.
I hope that has the bird improves, he will start to eat on his own .

Sending positive thoughts that things begin to turn around for your little patient, Jim.

I received a private message form JIm over night. He asked that I let you all know that this little one passed on.
Jim and I spoke at around 11 last night and the bird had become more listless and so it wasn't looking good. Still, Jim remained positive and hoped for a turn around becauuse we all know that can happen. The bird passed at about 1:30 am.
I know you can all imagine how Jim feels...we all have been there.It always leaves me feeling so empty.
Jim...you are a hero. You did absolutely everthing you could. All the love and kindness you give these little hurt and sick pigeons that present themselves to you, will return to you 100 fold. I really believe that.

I am so very sorry, Jim.

Thank you for doing the best you could.
Rest assured he was able to take with him the memory of being in the loving care, and experiencing the gentle touch, of a human. A special gift so many never get.

I am very sorry Jim. At least he was not suffering long.