Bird - infected foot?

[Lilafernim]

Hi everyone,

I have tried finding bird forums, but none seem to be active or at least they don’t answer my questions. I just had something relatively serious occur and need some advice.

As some of you may know last winter we rescued Filbert the collared dove. We raised them from a hatchling and with the nicer weather we have been doing a controlled entrance back into the wild. We actually are able to let her fly around the estate and she’ll come back to us!

We were worried she/he would eventually go and wouldn’t arrive back so wanted to get her a clip to identify them by. But the one we got was way too small and we had to cut it off luckily with no bleeding. It was on for a minute maybe two.

The next day though her leg has swollen and today it’s gone sort of purple in colour. They’ve lost their appetite, just keeps sleeping, she normally attacks our feet but she just wants to sleep.

I’ll attach a picture so you can see. Our closest vet I’ve already called and they don’t see birds apparently. I’ve also messaged a bird rescue near us and they’re ignoring us. We don’t have a car so anywhere super far is out the option.

We’ve been using aloe Vera on their leg and going to try some cinnamon as well as apparently it’s antibacterial. Either they’re resting because they’re recovering OR something has seriously gone wrong and they’re ill.

Just want to know if anyone has seen something similar or know any other places I could go. I feel awful as if we’d just left them be none of this would’ve happened.

[cloudy]

I wonder if you could give this vet a call just to ask for advice? You could email them this picture.
avianveterinaryservices.co.uk

I am sorry Filbert is poorly but please do not blame yourself. Without you they would not be here at all. You have given them wonderful care.

[cloudy]

Actually, I have just seen this vets treats birds and are open:
Avian Vet Service - Exotics and Small Mammals - Practice Services - General Practice - Small Animal - Royal Veterinary College, RVC

I have heard very good things about this practice and it is well liked by guinea pig owners. I know that is different but I thought it may help to know people like this place.

[Ria P]

There's a link to wildlife rescues on page 3 of my Foster Hamsters thread Luna sent me when i had the little sparrow.

I don't know how to link a link but you could look it up. There may be another wildlife rescue in your area you could email and who would be more helpful.

I've tried the RSPCA before but didn't have any luck with them.

[Lilafernim]

Thank you all for your suggestions! I have now emailed the avian veterinary service and asked me what they can tell me or how an appointment would work. I also did check the royal veterinary college but it’s saying it’s only allowing online appointments for cats and dogs at the moment and exotic appointments will have to be made through the hospital. I don’t think they could tell me much over the phone either and it doesn’t look like they do doves. Ideally I need somewhere in Essex or someone who could just tell me if somehow it’s infected which I think has to be tested in person to be found out.

Also Ria I know when I asked if they were a boy or girl you sent some of these and I found a brilliant rescue that helped but now they’re temporarily closed for some reason? I’ve left a message for a wildlife rescue is Essex and the bird rescue in Colchester hasn’t responded to my email.

I just don’t understand what’s happened, there is no open wound, I wonder if it’s just really bad bruising but it wasn’t that tight nor was it on for long. The only good news is they’ve perked up a bit from this morning and has eaten a small amount at least. The leg still looks the same though but think they’re enjoying being spoilt rotten lol. Hopefully someone will reply soon with advice or I’ll just book one of those telephone appointments.

[cloudy]

I think it is really positive Filbert has perked up and is eating. I really hope of of the places email you soon.

Do you know if the South Essex Wildlife hospital? They say they care for injured birds.
South Essex Wildlife Hospital – dedicated to putting life back into the wild

They say to call and not email if it is an emergency.

[Lilafernim]

Thank you cloudy, they were really helpful. They gave me some advice but mostly said I’d need to bring them into them. They said I had good intentions trying to reintroduce into the wild but they said it wouldn’t work as you need to introduce them into a flock in an aviary first.

Also they said they had a vet there that could look at the leg.

It would take an hour to get there and I have no car at the moment, but she said they may be able to collect under an emergency if they have time one day. I want to speak to my OH first as Filbert is part of our family now so knowing we can’t release them in our area and see them around would be hard. But we want what’s best for them. It is sad to think that I will never see them again though.

[Ria P]

Do you know the average lifespan of a dove?
Filbert seems happy in captivity because that's all they know so why not keep them as a pet. Or would that be unfair to the bird?

[cloudy]

It sounds like it was really good you spoke to them as they were able to give you information about releasing Filbert. I understand how sad you must feel at the thought of not having Filbert with you. I would feel the same way.

[cloudy]

I was just reading some posts on a pigeon forum and many of the members were in a similar situation as you. I will enclose the link just in case you may want to have a look. It seems most people kept the dove as they could not release them. If possible you could carry on carrying for Filbert.
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