Pigeons, both domestic and wild, are prone to a number of illnesses. This includes trichomoniasis, which is common due to the birds' outdoor water supply being contaminated by a protozoa. Also known as canker, this ailment can be fatal if not treated. If you see a pigeon, especially one you are familiar with due to feeding a flock regularly in the park or even at a window at your house, try to grab it and bring it to an avian veterinarian.
Trichomoniasis symptoms in a pigeon
It is fairly easy to recognize when a bird is ill. Typically, a sick bird will appear depressed and won't display the usual energy it normally has. Trich specifically will cause the bird to have this drastic change of mood, plus it may be fluffed up, and the beak will be at least a small bit open. This is due to the fact that trichomoniasis builds up in the throat, causing it to become swollen, which obstructs the bird's breathing. In addition, you may notice the pigeon having difficulty eating. If gone untreated, the bird will eventually be unable to eat and won't be able to even drink, either. This is a brutal disease that, left untreated, can lead to a horrible death of starvation or suffocation.
If you suspect a pigeon may have trich, grab the bird and bring it into your house. Put it into a cardboard box with holes punched into it, or in a carrier if you have one. Make sure to keep the pigeon away from your pets, especially any birds. Call an avian vet if you have or know of one and ask about making an appointment to bring the pigeon in to be seen. Or, if you live in the New York City area, you can locate the phone number of the Wild Bird Fund at Animal General, which is located on 87th Street and Columbus Avenue. Wild Bird Fund is a nonprofit organization that is run by a group of licensed wildlife rehabilitators, and it is free to bring in a wild bird for medical attention. Call and leave a message about the bird. They have a small window of appointments six days a week, Monday through Saturday, but only see patients between 1pm and 3pm.
Consider fostering the bird and treating it yourself if requested
If by some chance the vet or rehabilitator tells you they have no room to keep the pigeon at their offices, they may ask you to foster it and treat it at home. Do not feel alarmed if this happens. The professional will coach you with a hands-on lesson in their examination room on how to treat the sick pigeon. You will have to administer three different types of medication, all in pill form. These are called Spartrex, Ronsec and Metrodinazole. Three are required as a precaution, just in case one or two don't clear up the trichomoniasis. If the bird requires tube feeding of medication mixed with water or baby bird food, you will learn how to properly use this method. If the bird doesn't need the tube, you will have to break the pills into quarters and put them into the beak. They will swallow the pieces quickly if the illness is not too severe.
While you are treating the pigeon, be sure to regularly check inside its mouth. A bird suffering from trich will have white spots in the throat area. Do not try to remove this matter, as that can do more harm than good. If the bird swallowed the white matter, it could lead to irreversible damage to different organs in the body. Instead, leave it alone. After about two weeks of treatment, you will notice the white matter has turned yellow. Don't worry about this; it's normal. It means the medication is working and that the pigeon is getting better.
Be sure to let your bird have plenty of exercise
Although your feathered foster is ill, he or she will still need some flying time. This is vital for the pigeon in preparation for its eventual release back outside. Again, be sure to keep the bird away from your other pets, but letting it fly around one room on a daily basis is ideal. Unfortunately, you will have to sort of chase the pigeon around the room so it will fly. If you leave it alone, it will just perch somewhere and stay there.
Hard work reaps a rewarding result
Although the process of fostering and treating a pigeon with trichomoniasis is a lot of work and responsibility, the end result will be well worth it. When the bird is looking and obviously feeling better, you will be required to bring it back for a follow-up with the avian vet or wildlife rehabilitator. Once the professional deems the pigeon completely healthy, they will have you bring the bird back to your neighborhood, or to the one where you found it, so you can release it. This should be a heartwarming experience, one you will always remember fondly and with great pride. After all, you will have helped to save the life of a beautiful, gentle bird!
* This article is lovingly dedicated to Dusty and Oreo
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