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FOOT AND LEG PROBLEMS
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thank you for being here
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Pigeons adapt well to foot and leg problems, including one or both missing legs. Please do not euthanize the pigeon.
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types of foot and leg problems
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stringfoot
The most common foot problem for pigeons is stringfoot. Strings or hair get wrapped around the pigeon's foot while he is walking. The strings may become tight and impact blood flow into his foot, and it may also become infected.
Pigeons heal very well from stringfoot with a small amount of help.
bumps on feet
A pigeon may have a bump of dried poop on his foot.
Pigeon pox cause also cause bumps on feet
bumblefoot
Bumblefoot happens when a wound on a pigeon's foot becomes infected. Then, A hard bump of the infection or absess can form on the foot.
Epsom salt foot baths help bumblefoot, and will prepare his feet for further treatment if needed. Epsom salts can be purchased at most pharmacies.
Gently massage helps also helps bumblefoot.
curled toes
Vitamin B2 may help with curled toes in some cases.
concussions or head injuries
A concussussion or head injury can temporarily cause a pigeon's feet or legs to be in held a weird position. His feet or legs may also have been injured from falling after the head injury.
Did you find the pigeon close by a glass window or a road?
sprained foot
A sprained foot is a muscle injury which causes a pigeon to not be able to stand on his foot. He can still move his foot, and he may be able to grip your finger or a pencil.
A sprained foot will usually heal on its own, but a brace or splint may help in extreme cases.
broken foot
A broken foot is a bone injury which causes a pigeon to not be able to stand on his foot. He can not move his foot.
A broken foot will require a brace or splint.
splinting avian fractures by rebecca duerr
orcalcium supplements
A high calcium grit will help splayed legs heal. If you can not find a high calcium grit, you can also offer sesame seeds, which are sold in the grocery store in the spices section.
splayed legs
Splayed legs are a health problem that occurs when a baby pigeon's legs start growing apart from each other. If needed, there are many ways to carefully tether the baby's legs together using items from around your home.
calcium supplements
A high calcium grit will help splayed legs heal. If you can not find a high calcium grit, you can also offer sesame seeds, which are sold in the grocery store in the spices section.
weak, not moving, or paralyzed legs
Some illnesses, including gout, can cause kidney inflammation, which can block the nerves which connect to the pigeon's legs. This can cause leg weakness or paralysis.
For kidney crystals, a vet may be able to prescribe a medicine called allopurinol.
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making the pigeon comfortable
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These tips make or may not help your specific pigeon. Pay attention to his response. Does he seem more or less comfortable? Only follow these tips if they seem to help him.
doughnut beds
You can make a "donut" from a towel, so his legs can continue having circulation while he is not able to move. The donut ring should be have a snug or small fit around his body. The hole should be just big enough for his legs. The towel should support his weight in front of his legs and behind them. If his bum or chest are on the floor, make the donut smaller. His bum and chest should both be on the towel to hold his body weight.
hammocks and slings
bandages and boots
Bandages and boots can provide soft padding to make an injured foot more comfortable to stand on.
To bandage an injured foot, you will need...
These items can be purchased at most pharmacies.
Steps:
First give wound care to his foot. Then, wrap foot in the cotton pads. Finally, wrap his foot in the tape.
wound care
(coming soon)
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disabled pigeons
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adapting to leg injuries
Pigeons adapt to all kinds of leg injuries, including the permanent loss of a leg. The most important thing is that the pigeon has time to adapt to his injury, and a source of food and water.
A thick foam mat or an "anti fatigue kitchen mat" may help pigeons with a foot or leg disability.
arthritis
If the pigeon's toe heals in a bent position, the joint may be more prone to arthritis.
You may wish to file his nails by hand rather than giving him a brick or rock to stand on.
pigeons with one leg
A pigeon can learn to walk on one leg, as long as he has a source of food and water while he gets stronger.
He may be more likely to get sores, or infections like bumblefoot on his one foot.
examples of pigeons with one foot
https://m.youtube.com/watch...
(contains loud music)
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swimming
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getting exercise
For physical therapy, a pigeon with a leg injury can be placed in a bathtub to help him get exercise. This will help him use all the muscles in his body so he stays strong.
Always watch your pigeon closely during his swimming lessons for safety.
https://www.pigeonrescue.org...
warming up after
You can use a heat pad on "low", a microwaved sock of rice, or hot water bottle wrapped in a thick towel. Keep him at a comfortably warm temperature, and do not overheat or burn him. Your hair dryer may contain a piece called "teflon", which is toxic to birds.
is the pigeon sick, very thin, or a baby?
Wait until the pigeon is bigger or healthier before he gets wet. He will get too cold after his swimming lesson.
is the pigeon wearing bandages?
Remove the bandages before his swimming lesson, and make sure he is completely dry before putting them back on.
does the pigeon have an exposed bone from an injury?
Wait for his injury to heal, because the bone may connect to his respiratory system and breathing.
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thank you for being here
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www.helpifoundapigeon.com