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I FOUND A ORDINARY BIRD ON THE GROUND WITH A LITTLE BLOOD ON ITS NECK. I BROUGHT IT HOME, CLEANED THE BLOOD OFF WITH HYROGEN PEROXIDE AND PUT IT IN A BOX WITH SOME WATER AND A FEW LEAVES FROM A TREE. IT IS BARELY MOVING BUT WHEN I WENT BACK TO SEE IT LATER IT HAD PUT ITS HEAD INTO ITS CHEST LIKE THEY SOMETIMES DO WHEN THEY ARE SLEEPING. IT APPEARED TO BE BREATHING RATHER FAST. IF IT DOES NOT DIE BY MORNING THEN IT PROBABLY NEEDS ANTIBIOTICS OR ??? SINCE IT IS SUNDAY WHAT DO YOU SUGGES.

Submitted: 210 days and 18 hours ago.

Category: Bird

Value: $9

Status: CLOSED

Already Tried:
I cleaned the birds neck that had a little hole with blood on it with H2O2 and put it in a box with some water and some leaves. I have some antibiotics at home. What can I use to fight infection and what do I feed the bird if it lives? It is a usual run of the mill outof doors bird.

Posted by MsAM 210 days and 8 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello,

It's very kind of you to try to help this bird. Is it still alive? If so, give me your state, and I'll help find some wildlife rehabilitators who can help.

Thank you.

Anna

210 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

DEAR ANNA THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANSWERING. I DID NOT REALLY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND FOUND YOUR SITE BY ACCIDENT AS I WAS LOOKING UP ANTIBIOTICS FOR ANIMALS. YES THE BIRD IS STILL ALIVE THIS MORNING. LAST NIGHT IT WAS BREATHING VERY HEAVILY AND MUST HAVE BEEN IN A LOT OF PAIN. THIS MORNING IT WENT TO THE BATHROOM, THEN MOVED TO ANOTHER PART OF THE BOX WHERE IT IS SITTING WITH ITS HEAD UPRIGHT. I LIVE IN KAILUA KONA ON THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII. IN THE MEANTIME WHAT DO I DO. SHOULD I BUY A CAGE SO IT DOES NOT TRY TO FLY IN THE ROOM. DO I HOLD THE BIRD SO I CAN CLEAN THE WOUND AGAIN WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. DO I GIVE IT ANTIBIOTICS. DO I GIVE IT SOME BIRD SEED? JUDY

Posted by MsAM 210 days and 7 hours ago.

Answer

Thank you for getting back to me, Judy. We don't know what kind of bird this is, so that will make feeding it difficult. If it is an insect eater, seeds could make it sick if it eats them, but it's more likely that it won't be interested in them. Do be sure that it has water. Wild birds often beat themselves against the wire when they're placed in a cage. If it appears that the bird is going to fly, it would be better to cover the box with a towel.

I wouldn't use any more peroxide. It does kill bacteria, but recent studies have also shown that it irritates the skin, and makes it take longer to heal. Many vets do still use it, but you should be aware there are potential problems with it. Betadine is a safer anti-bacterial. You can also use just a tiny bit of plain Neosporin cream directly on the wound. Birds can easily go into shock, so if it seems to get extremely stressed when you handle it, it may be better to just leave it alone until you can get trained help.

The best thing to do would be to take the bird to a rehabilitator who can identify it and provide it with exactly what it needs. Rehabbers are trained to care for injured wild birds, then release them when they're ready. There is no charge for a rehabber's service. There are not a lot of rehabbers in your state, so I hope one of these is close to you:

    Hawaii, Big Island (Hilo)..... XXX-XXX-XXXX
    Bobbie Fisher, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator
    bobbief@turquoise.net
    Wildlife Species: specialize in birds

    Hawaii, Hawaii County (Kona)..... XXX-XXX-XXXX
    Ann Goody (curator), Three Ring Ranch
    animals@threeringranch.org
    SPECIALTIES and KNOWLEDGE: raptor and endangered Hawaiian species approved,
    also an amnesty station for illegal alien species

Even if they're not nearby, give one of them a call. They will most likely be able to help you with the bird.

If you need anything else, let me know by clicking on REPLY. I hope all will work out well for this bird.

Anna

210 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

BOTH PHONE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED. WHAT NEXT? JUDY

Posted by MsAM 210 days and 7 hours ago.

Answer

That's too bad. I'll give you two more to try. Even if they don't care for the kind of bird you have, they may know of other rehabbers who aren't int he directory, and can refer you. If these don't result in any help, either, let me know, and we'll have to see what else we can figure out.

    Hawaii, Hawaii County (Papaikou)..... XXX-XXX-XXXX
    Bobbie Fisher (volunteer avian rehabilitator), Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Dept of Wildlife
    bobbief@turquoise.net
    Limitations: non-native birds only; pigeons, raptors
    Specialties/Knowledge: parrots also

    Hawaii, Ohau..... XXX-XXX-XXXX
    Cyndi Georges, Wild Life Connection

210 days and 6 hours ago.

Reply

EVERY NUMBER SO FAR HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED SO I GUESS THIS IS UP TO ME. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF WHAT I (A HUMAN DOCTOR) CAN DO IN THE MEANTIME. INTERESTINGLY THE BIRD IS IN A ROOM SITTING OVER A SACRED HAWAIIAN HEALING SPOT. I USE IT AS MY EXAM ROOM FOR PEOPLE. I LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS HAS BEEN VERYGOOD FOR THE LITTLE BIRD. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT INFECTION AND PERHAPS PETCO WILL HAVE ANTIBIOTICS AND A DROPPER. JUDY

Posted by MsAM 210 days and 6 hours ago.

Answer

I've now given you all the rehabbers listed for Hawaii. there are two things we need to do now. One is to identify what kind of bird you have. Is it possible for you to post a photo? If so, you can upload one by clicking on the little green tree icon in the tool bar. If not, more description - size , color, etc. may help. I have to warn you that I'm more familiar with birds of the midwest rather than Hawaii, but we'll see what we can do. We need to know what it is in order to provide the right food.

Since you're a doctor, do you have any Baytril?

Anna

210 days and 6 hours ago.

Reply

I WILL PLUG IN MY CAMERA. IN THE MEAN TIME MY NEIGHBOR IS COMING OVER WITH A BOOK ON BIRDS. IT IS ABOUT 2-3 INCHES LONG, IS ALL GREY WITH A LITTLE MIXED GRAY UNDERNEATH, ROUNDER THEN LONG, DARKER GRAY WINGS. IT IS SITTING IN THE WATER NOW WITH HEAD IN CHEST, RESTING, AND THE BREATHING HAS SLOWED DOWN. WHAT IS IN BAYTRIL?? AND THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP. JUDY

210 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

IT IS A SPARROW. NOT A BABY BUT NOT FULLY GROWN EITHER. IT WAS SITTING STRAIGHT BUT NOW KIND OF LEANING TO ONE SIDE. I THINK IT NEEDS MEDS. JUDY

Accepted Answer

Baytril is the brand name for enrofloxacin. However, I just looked it up and found there is no human formulation. It's approved for animals only. I looked in a book on caring for injured wild birds for other recommendations. It was suggested to give one dose of 15 mg. long-acting amoxycillin intramuscularly for a sparrow-sized bird. The reason for only one dose is that longer courses of antibiotics seemed to stress wild birds too much, and they would often die. If the bird recovers enough to fly, you could give it the antibiotics, then release it to find its own food. If you're not comfortable injecting such a small creature, you could take the bird to an avian vet. Here is a site that may help you find one near you:

http://aav.org/vet-lookup/

The problem with pet store antibiotics is that most of them are old types and not very effective. It's usually recommended to mix them in the bird's water. That makes the water taste bad, and the bird simply stops drinking. If you choose to use those antibiotics, it's better to put some from a syringe on the bottom of the bird's mouth.

Most sparrows eat a variety of foods. You can go ahead and offer some seed. Small berries or cut-up fruit would also be OK. If the bird is feeling very ill, it may not eat. In that case, give it water by syringe so it doesn't become dehydrated. Pedialyte is also good. If you like to use alternative remedies along with conventional, giving the bird some Bach Rescue Remedy is another idea. It's available in many pharmacies, some discount stores, and health food stores. You are doing everything possible for this poor bird, and I think that is wonderful of you.

Anna

Accepts:
Expert:	MsAM
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	4/26/2009

Bird Expert

Have owned and/or raised parakeets, finches, cockatiels, and poultry over a period of thirty years.

210 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

WHERE DO I INJECT IT? NOT VERY DEEP I AM SURE. JUDY

210 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

THE BIRD IS EATING AND DRINKING. IT LOOKS VERY HUNGRY WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH ITS ABILITY TO WALK. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ONE SIDE OF ITS BODY A WING OR A LEG. I WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO HURT THE BIRD WHEN I INJECT IT SO YOU WILL HAVE TO GIVE ME CAREFUL INSTRUCTIONS. JUDY

Posted by MsAM 210 days and 5 hours ago.

Answer

Judy, I'm a biologist, not a vet, so I don't think I should give you instructions. I'm trying to find a vet to help you. If I can't, I'll try to find a web site with detailed instructions. Your patience is appreciated while i try to find appropriate help for you.

Anna

210 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

THANKS I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IF NEED BE I CAN WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW FOR A VET ABOUT ITS BEING WONDERFUL IT IS A LIFE AND ALL LIFE IS PRECIOUS (EXCEPT BROWN RECLUSE SPIDERS WHICH BIT ME ABOUT A YEAR AGO ---THOSE I KILL) JUDY

Posted by MsAM 210 days and 4 hours ago.

Answer

You are so right, and I don't blame you about the spiders! We'll try to get some instructions as soon as possible.

Anna

Posted by MsAM 210 days and 4 hours ago.

Answer

I found an online excerpt from a book on wildlife rehabilitation that tells how to give an injection intramuscularly to a small bird. I hope this complex link will take you there. You'll need to scroll down.

http://books.google.com/books?id=TNnf6FbDWZ8C&pg=PA109&lpg=PA109&dq=giving+injections+to+small+birds&source=bl&ots=jH008xxZZK&sig=aEyk60JMSAvRh__WyaZPsJjcnQ4&hl=en&ei=O8T0Sc_SNpf2MMq7qKkP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#PPA109,M1

This one explains how to inject poultry, and the technique would be the same for a little bird.

http://www.iacuc.arizona.edu/training/poultry/inject.html

I'll be back if I get better information or hear from a vet.

Anna

210 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

THE BIRD IS EATING UP A STORM. MUST BE FEELING BETTER. THANKS FOR THE INFO. WITH HELP I THINK I CAN DO IT. NOW I JUST NEED THE MEDS. I CALL THE PHARMACY AND ASK FOR 15 MG OF IM AMOXICILLIN?? JUDY AND MANY THANKS

Posted by MsAM 210 days and 3 hours ago.

Answer

You're welcome. Since you're a doctor, you should be able to get the antibiotics from the pharmacy. I'm glad to hear the bird is doing so much better. I hope it will recover enough that you can release it.

Anna

Posted by Dr. Deb/chicken vet 210 days and 2 hours ago.

Answer

Hi Anna, Judy asked me to but in with my opinion for treatment. I am a veterinarian and seem to gravitate toward treating those which others steer away from- pet chickens, house rabbits for example.

My opinion in treating this case is to use oral trimethoptim-sulfa combinations. The one used often in pediatrics is 240mg/5ml, I use this all the time. I consider the combined drug as the concentration- so 48mg/ml. The dose for these guys is broad- 50-100mg/ml orally q12 hours. So your little friend may only weigh 10-15 gms? If you had a diet scale that would be great. A parakeet is around 30-40gms and I'm guessing this bird is a little smaller, Remember the dose range is very wide, this would put the dose for this bird at around 0.03ml q 12. With a 1cc syringe you can measure this adequately. Treatment for 2-3 days may be all you need, if you could get even 1-4 doses in it would help.

When giving birds injections. the thing to remember is that they have a renal portal system. Anything injected into the legs goes directly to the kidneys. If using an aminoglycoside this would be quite problematic. The best place to give an IM injection is in the pectorals-over the sternum or keel. In a small bird there would not be much. if you go too deeply you hit bone, you will not inject into the abdomen or thorax if you are careful to inject over bone.

I hope this helps. I will double check my numbers and let you know right away if there is a problem, I'm pretty sure this is correct.

Please understand that I cannot prescribe or advise you to give medication to a patient I have never seen. This seems extraordinary circumstances but this is what I would do if I had a patient in this condition. Take it as just that,

Any further questions can be asked of me or Judy, thanks and good luck

I did edit this, I overestimated the weight of the bird. If you could weigh this bird, that would be ideal but these numbers are close

Edited by Dr. Deb/chicken vet on 4/26/2009 at 10:47 PM

210 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

THANKS. THE ORAL SOUND BETTER. THAT IS IF YOU CAN GET IT IN THE MOUTH. I WILL GET MY NEIGHBOR TO HELP. NICE BEING A DOC BECAUSE I HAD NO PROBLEM GETTING A PRESCRIPTION FILLED RIGHT NOW. I JUST NEED A GOOD BABY OR BIRD SYRINGE AND I WILL LOOK FOR ONE AT PET CO. THE BIRD IS HANGING OUT IN THE BIRD SEED. AND HAS IT ALL OVER HER BREAST, SO IT MUST BE REALLY HUNGRY. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW LUCKY I FEEL TO HAVE FOUND YOU. BETSY THE BIRD( I JUST NAMED HER AND ASSUME IN SOME RIDICULOUS WAY THAT IT IS A GIRL ) THANKS YOU TOO. JUDY

Posted by Dr. Deb/chicken vet 210 days and 2 hours ago.

Answer

I edited the calculations, in my head I think I got mice and parakeet weights confused, sorry about that but I did check and I'm sure these doses and weights are correct, I'm still trying to figure out to leave a post in progress and come back to find it intact nor erased. I'm so sorry if I confused you. This is a very safe drug in birds. Thanks for your understanding,\

Please recheck my answer for the updated numbers

A 1 cc syringe will work. If you take a paper towel or washcloth and approact the bird from behind you should be able to wrap the whole bird up so it can't flap and kick- the head should be accessible so you can just put the end of the syringe into the mouth, it is a very small volume. It is cherry flavored I think, you may even be able to put it on some food and she may just eat it. This would be ideal. Best of luck

209 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

I GAVE THE BIRD ANTIBIOTIC AND IOT MUST HAVE SUFFOCATED IT BECAUSE IT DIED IN MY HAND JUDY

Posted by Dr. Deb/chicken vet 209 days and 23 hours ago.

Answer

oh my, I am so sorry. It is not very common for this to happen. The opening for the trachea is in the back of the tongue. Putting a small amount of liquid in the mouth can cause suffocation but is not common at all. I would think it more likely that the trauma of holding the bird may have been too much and we don't know what internal injuries she may have had. I congratulate you in your attempt to help this bird and am truly sorry this happened. I don't think I would give different advice if this same scenario came up again tomorrow. I have used this protocol many times with success. This was just not meant to be, it was not your fault.It is so disheartening when one tries to do some good in the world and it seems to backfire. This bird would have surely died had you not picked her up and given her a chance. Thanks for your concern and effort

209 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

THANK YOU FOR YOUR NOTE. I BELIEVE THAT I GAVE THE BIRD TOO MUCH AT ONCE. I SHOULD HAVE GIVEN HER A SMALL DROP AT A TIME. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. THE BIRD SEEMED TO BE PARALYZED IN ONE LEG OR ONE SIDE OF THE BODY. I AM GLAD YOU WROTE BUT I REALLY FEEL BAD ABOUT THIS. JUDY

Posted by Dr. Deb/chicken vet 209 days and 21 hours ago.

Answer

the dose you were giving her was less than 0.1ml correct? It is a small amount. I really think that there must have been more extensive injuries than you realized. The blood and wound on the neck could have been the result of a punctured air sac. Please don't doubt trying to save another bird in the future, the next one may do great. An injured bird, maybe bitten by a cat, has a very guarded prognosis. I really think it was the injuries not the antibiotic that more likely caused this unfortunate result. Don't feel bad, you saved the bird from dieing a slow death alone on the ground, or being eaten by some other animal.

209 days and 18 hours ago.

Reply

NO I WAS TOLD TO GIVE HER 1 ML NOT .1 ML. JUDY

Posted by MsAM 209 days and 5 hours ago.

Answer

Dear Judy,

This is Anna again. Since Dr. Deb originally came on to assist you at my request, I'm responding to your inquiry. If you look back at Dr. Deb's first response to you, you'll see that she says, "this would put the dose for this bird at around 0.03ml q 12. With a 1cc syringe you can measure this adequately." That amount is less than .1 ml. I don't see any place where she recommends giving 1 ml., only that a 1 cc. syringe would work to measure the correct amount. Normally, such detailed instructions wouldn't be given to a customer, but since you're a human doctor, it was thought it would be clear. I'm very sorry for the misunderstanding.

That being said, the chances of this poor bird surviving were slim. The blood on its neck probably was the result of an animal bite. Such bites are often fatal. In a bird that small, the air sacs or even the trachea could easily have been punctured. In that case, putting any amount of fluid into the mouth would result in that fluid going where it shouldn't be. Birds are such fragile creatures that it's very easy to lose them. I've also discussed this case with another of our bird experts, and she agrees that the bird was probably mortally injured before you ever found it. The steps you were taking were a matter of doing everything possible in hopes of saving the bird.

You truly did everything you could for this bird. You went far beyond what most people would even think of doing for a wild bird. No one, and especially not you, who was trying to help is to blame for what happened. It was just one of those sad things that often happen in nature. If you have more questions, or one of us can offer support in any other way, just let us know. I'm very sorry for the loss of the bird.

Anna

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Already Tried: I cleaned the birds neck that had a little hole with blood on it with H2O2 and put it in a box with some water and some leaves. I have some antibiotics at home. What can I use to fight infection and what do I feed the bird if it lives? It is a usual run of the mill outof doors bird.

Info Request

Hello, It's very kind of you to try to help this bird. Is it still alive? If so, give me your state, and I'll help find some wildlife rehabilitators who can help. Thank you. Anna

Reply

Answer

Reply

BOTH PHONE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED. WHAT NEXT? JUDY

Answer

Reply

Answer

Reply

Reply

IT IS A SPARROW. NOT A BABY BUT NOT FULLY GROWN EITHER. IT WAS SITTING STRAIGHT BUT NOW KIND OF LEANING TO ONE SIDE. I THINK IT NEEDS MEDS. JUDY

Accepted Answer

Reply

WHERE DO I INJECT IT? NOT VERY DEEP I AM SURE. JUDY

Reply

Answer

Judy, I'm a biologist, not a vet, so I don't think I should give you instructions. I'm trying to find a vet to help you. If I can't, I'll try to find a web site with detailed instructions. Your patience is appreciated while i try to find appropriate help for you. Anna

Reply

THANKS I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IF NEED BE I CAN WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW FOR A VET ABOUT ITS BEING WONDERFUL IT IS A LIFE AND ALL LIFE IS PRECIOUS (EXCEPT BROWN RECLUSE SPIDERS WHICH BIT ME ABOUT A YEAR AGO ---THOSE I KILL) JUDY

Answer

You are so right, and I don't blame you about the spiders! We'll try to get some instructions as soon as possible. Anna

Answer

Reply

THE BIRD IS EATING UP A STORM. MUST BE FEELING BETTER. THANKS FOR THE INFO. WITH HELP I THINK I CAN DO IT. NOW I JUST NEED THE MEDS. I CALL THE PHARMACY AND ASK FOR 15 MG OF IM AMOXICILLIN?? JUDY AND MANY THANKS

Answer

You're welcome. Since you're a doctor, you should be able to get the antibiotics from the pharmacy. I'm glad to hear the bird is doing so much better. I hope it will recover enough that you can release it. Anna

Answer

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Answer

Reply

I GAVE THE BIRD ANTIBIOTIC AND IOT MUST HAVE SUFFOCATED IT BECAUSE IT DIED IN MY HAND JUDY

Answer

Reply

THANK YOU FOR YOUR NOTE. I BELIEVE THAT I GAVE THE BIRD TOO MUCH AT ONCE. I SHOULD HAVE GIVEN HER A SMALL DROP AT A TIME. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. THE BIRD SEEMED TO BE PARALYZED IN ONE LEG OR ONE SIDE OF THE BODY. I AM GLAD YOU WROTE BUT I REALLY FEEL BAD ABOUT THIS. JUDY

Answer

Reply

NO I WAS TOLD TO GIVE HER 1 ML NOT .1 ML. JUDY

Answer

Related Bird Questions

Already Tried:
I cleaned the birds neck that had a little hole with blood on it with H2O2 and put it in a box with some water and some leaves. I have some antibiotics at home. What can I use to fight infection and what do I feed the bird if it lives? It is a usual run of the mill outof doors bird.

Hello,

It's very kind of you to try to help this bird. Is it still alive? If so, give me your state, and I'll help find some wildlife rehabilitators who can help.

Thank you.

Anna

Judy, I'm a biologist, not a vet, so I don't think I should give you instructions. I'm trying to find a vet to help you. If I can't, I'll try to find a web site with detailed instructions. Your patience is appreciated while i try to find appropriate help for you.

Anna

You are so right, and I don't blame you about the spiders! We'll try to get some instructions as soon as possible.

Anna

You're welcome. Since you're a doctor, you should be able to get the antibiotics from the pharmacy. I'm glad to hear the bird is doing so much better. I hope it will recover enough that you can release it.

Anna