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WOUND CARE
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thank you for being here
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~> In an emergency, you can use cornstarch or turmeric powder to stop bleeding. <~
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types of wounds
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wounds on the top of his head
Wounds on the top of the head are usually from scalping. Scalping is a type of violent attack that adult pigeons do to baby pigeons.
Adults who attack a baby are usually jealous of his parents' nesting site and want to kill the baby in order to steal it. On very rare occasions, a parent also may attack her own baby if she believes he is sick. These attacks become more aggressive over time, and the adult may eventually kill the baby.
cat bites
Cats carry a deadly bacteria in their mouths, so even a small scratch or wound from a cat can be deadly.
Cat bites require immediate antibiotics Pigeons can experience a rapid onset of illness from this bacteria. Extreme lethargy is the biggest symptom that a pigeon is sick from a cat bite.If a pigeon is becoming very tired, you may be able to save his life with repeated saline washes of the wound until the pigeon recovers, or is able to see a vet.
small wounds
A small wound that is not from a cat bite only needs to be cleaned.
large wounds
Large wounds are more likely to get infected and take longer to heal. Large wounds need to be cleaned and given treatments to help healing. Stitches may help his wound heal faster and reduce chances of infection.
Then, the pigeon will need special care to support his immune system and he may also need antibiotics.
exposed bones
If the pigeon has exposed bones, or if you see something white inside his wound, do not wash the wound. The bone may connect to his respiratory system and breathing.
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cleaning and treating wounds
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how to hold a pigeon
To hold a pigeon, gently cup your hand around his lower back to hold his feet against his body, and his wings closed so he can not open them. When looking at a pigeon, he will feel calmest if you hold him on his side rather than belly up when possible. You will need to initially need to look at all areas of his body including his belly and bum (cloaca).cleaning a wound
strong saline
Boil 250mL (1 cup) of water for five minutes, then add 1 teaspoon of salt. Let the it cool before using. Store the saline in a clean container in the fridge, and make it fresh every day.
betadine iodine
Betadine iodine is a solution for cleaning wounds. It can be found in the first aid section of pharmacies. If you have a first aid kit, you may have betadine iodine at home.
treating a wound
neosporin
Neosporin is pigeon-safe.
honey
Honey can be applied to guaze or pads and used to bandage a wound. Raw honey works best, but pastuerized honey is also good. Honey has a reputation for helping infections that have already started.
turmeric paste
Turmeric paste makes an excellent wound treatment, because it is antibacterial and contains vitamins like beta-carotene that help with skin healing. You can find turmeric is the spices section of most grocery stores.
To make turmeric paste, add a couple drops of water at a time to turmeric powder, until it forms a thick paste, then apply it to the wound. You can also add coconut oil or honey.
Turmeric is used as a natural dye, so be careful not to stain your hands or your belongings.
stitches
You will need to look up tutorials for stitches or ask for help online.
tools needed
emotional shock
In some cases, a pigeon may remain emotionally traumatized after an attack.
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garlic water
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If you are waiting for a diagnosis or for antibiotics to arrive, garlic water is an all-purpose recipe that can help get you started.
It also may help build healthy gut bacteria that is needed after antibiotics. Healthy bacteria helps pigeons digest their food and have healthy immune systems.
Garlic water is
recipe
smaller batches
or
1/16 clove of garlic, 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, and 250mL (1/2 pint) of water
tips
Tip: Raw garlic is most effective when it is freshly crushed, so make this recipe fresh every day, or even twice a day
Tip: A clove is one of the small pieces in a head of garlic. The head of garlic usually contains 10-12 cloves in paper wrapping.
Tip: Apple cider vinegar reacts with metal, so use ceramic, glass, or plastic (unless the dish is made from a high quality stainless steel).
read this before you go shopping
The vinegar needs to be an unpastuerized brand to work. It should say "unpastuerized" or "with the mother" on the label and there should be some sediment on the bottom of the bottle. This is what makes it good for gut bacteria.
Raw garlic is very strong on its own, so if you can not find unpastuerized apple cider vinegar or need time to go to the store, just use raw garlic.
mixing garlic water with medicinal tea
If you are mixing garlic water with a medicinal tea, first brew the tea and cover the tea while it cools, so the good oils stay in. Once the tea is cool, add garlic and unpastuerized apple cider vinegar.
read more
garlic and racing pigeons
https://www.pigeonracingpigeon.com/...
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his hospital set up
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injury prevention
Even if he is not flying, the pigeon may suddenly feel better and start flying around your home. Keep him away from your pets, ceiling fan, mirrors, glass windows, and open doors. If the pigeon is stumbling, place him on a thick folded towel to protect his head in case he falls. Do not leave a stumbling pigeon alone near water.
warmth
A warm place to rest will give a pigeon more strength to heal. 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.
emotional support
Pigeons are very social animals, so they feel happiest around other pigeons, and their immune are stronger. If a pigeon is sick, you can play cooing sounds, show him a movie, or give him a small mirror to mimic being with his flock. His eyes are on the side of his head, so place a mirror where he can see it easily.
Cricket sounds are also relaxing for all animals.
cooing noises
https://m.youtube.com/watch...
video
https://m.youtube.com/watch...
baths
It may be best to wait until the pigeon is stronger to give him a bath. He will get too cold after his bath if he is sick. You can wipe him with a damp cloth if he is dirty.
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food and water
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weight gain
Most rescue pigeons need help gaining weight, especially if they are healing from an illness or infection. Provide the pigeon with a regular mixed bird seed, and then add some extra foods to help him gain weight.
possible foods to add:
You can also add peanut butter to his water to help him gain weight.
leafy green vegetables
Leafy green vegetables are high in vitamins that may help the pigeon heal faster.
Yes, they will eat them!
popular greens
green drinks
carrots
Carrots can be offered in pea-sized pieces, blended into his water, or handfed using the peas and corn method.
raw garlic and raw ginger
Raw garlic and raw ginger can be offered in lentil-sized pieces, or handfed using the peas and corn method.
hand feeding
If a pigeon is not eating on his own, check his throat for canker. If it is clear, you can hand feed him using the peas and corn method.
https://www.youtube.com/watch...
https://www.pigeonrescue.org/2019...
water
For safety, always allow the pigeon to drink water on his own.
if the pigeon is too tired to drink water
You can encourage the pigeon to drink by holding the water bowl to his beak. His water bowl should be at least 2.5cm (1 inch) deep for his beak, which he uses like a straw. He may prefer to drink warm water.
In an emergency, hold the pigeon on his side, and place one drop of water at a time on the outside of his beak using a q-tip, cotton swab, or eye-dropper. You can also soak a q-tip or cotton swab in the water and ‘paint’ his beak. Always give him time to swallow the drops on his own. Also, be careful to avoid his nostrils.
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thank you for being here
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www.helpifoundapigeon.com