YONAH•Mourning Dove•Medical Care

EMERGENCY FIRST AID

* NOTE BEFORE ATTEMPTING ADMINISTERING AID TO A BIRD *

IT'S BEST TO LEAVE WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN INJURED BIRD WHERE S/HE IS AT FIRST. THERE ARE MANY REASONS/CAUSES FOR A BIRD TO REMAIN STILL, ON THE GROUND AND NOT ALL OF THEM REQUIRE INTERVENTION.
KEEP WATCH FOR 30-60 MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY "RESCUE" EFFORTS UNLESS THERE'S BLEEDING OR ACTUAL VISIBLE INJURIES.
BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY TREATMENT OF AN INJURED BIRD, MAKE EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT TO CONTACT A PROPER, COMPASSIONATE "AVIAN" *VETERINARIAN IN YOUR LOCATION. INTERNET SEARCHES ARE A VALUABLE RESOURCE AND MUST BE USED TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY. NOTE THAT MANY SPECIES OF BIRDS ARE PROTECTED UNDER FEDERAL AND LOCAL LAW.
IN CASE OF BLEEDING:
STOP THE BLEEDING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WITH CLEAN COMPRESSES TO THE INJURY, GENTLY!
IN AN EMERGENCY, FLOUR CAN BE APPLIED TO SMALLER INJURIES. IF NECESSARY AND POSSIBLE, DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE INJURY, THE BIRD MAY BE GENTLY PLACED IN A BOWL LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD HIM/HER COMFORTABLY, CONTAINING ENOUGH FLOUR TO "COAT" THE INJURY.
CLEANING WOUNDS CAN BE DONE WITH "BETADINE" SPRAY, APPLIED SPARINGLY.
DO NOT ATTEMPT WOUND CARE OR BANDAGING UNTIL YOU CAN DO SO PATIENTLY AND IF UNABLE TO GET TO A VETERINARIAN/REHABBER/REHABILITATOR.
REFERENCES TO FIND A "WILD-LIFE REHABILITATOR (CLICKABLE LINKS):
*** NATIONAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS ASSOCIATION ***
*** HUMANE SOCIETY WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS ***
AT NO TIME SHOULD YOU EXPECT TO "KEEP" A WILD BIRD AS A "PET". THEY ARE NOT "PETS".

SEE ALSO, THE "DISCLAIMER" AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

1. PREPARE A BOX or similar container that will allow sufficient space for the injured bird to move his/her wings but NOT for flight and for air to circulate so that s/he can breathe:
• Place a layer of clean paper, news or kitchen-roll (paper towelling) on the bottom of the box.
• In one corner, place a small bowl/dish for water to drink but NOT so large that the bird could drown. Hydration is essential in recovery.
• A soft "cushion/pillow" that covers the rest of the area can be easily made by covering a folded towel with a t-shirt or similar. "Terry-cloth" or the likes could cause injury to the bird if claws get caught.
• Alternately, crumbled/shredded paper covered with the same t-shirt fabric can be used instead.
• Be sure there is PROPER VENTILATION in the box. DO NOT USE AN AQUARIUM or similar container.
• If you are going to transport to a veterinarian's office, be sure there are holes in the box/container to allow for air circulation during transport since you will have to close the box.

2. Using a SOFT TOWEL large enough to wrap the injured bird and LOOSELY cover his/her head, approach the bird CALMLY, SPEAKING IN A SOFT, GENTLE, COMPASSIONATE TONE.
• Birds are extremely receptive to sounds and silence is a common indication of danger. Let the bird know that you are there to help.
• GENTLY AND LOOSELY drape the towel over the top of the bird from head to tail.
• GENTLY wrap the bird WITH WINGS FOLDED AGAINST HIS/HER BODY BUT DO NOT FORCE THE WINGS INTO POSITION. THEY SHOULD NATURALLY LAY AGAINST THE BIRD'S BODY.
• Bring the towel under the bird being mindful of feet and legs, and lift SLOWLY. Carrying the "bundle" close to you can eliminate and "rocking". REMEMBER: THE BIRD CAN NOT SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING. DON'T MAKE SUDDEN, QUICK MOTIONS whilst carrying

3. GENTLY PLACE the wrapped bird into the prepared box and SLOWLY remove the towel.
• REMEMBER TO SPEAK SOFTLY, GENTLY as you remove the towel, assuring the bird that you are there to help.

4. Keep the box in a some-what dark area, but with enough light so that you can easily see the bird.

5. Keep the box in a warm area. A bird's average body temperature is higher than a human's and when they are injured or ill, maintaining warmth becomes a challenge to them. An ambient room temperature of 70°F (22°C) is preferred. Check to see if the bird is "fluffing" feathers. This is an indication that s/he is cold.

6. Keep the box in an area where it will not be disturbed by excessive noises or "human traffic". • Always keep in mind: humans are natural predators to birds, being handled is traumatic, and being in a box, in the dark is stressful. And human voices are not naturally "friendly". The bird is not only in pain but now in a dark box in a human house. Stress can be deadly and painful and there's a communication issue at this point: You intend to help this little bird but s/he can't readily understand that. You have to do your best to convey your kind intentions but NOT make too much contact.
• Quietly check-in on the bird every 30 minutes or so at the beginning. When stable, check less frequently. You do NOT want too much "contact" because even though your intentions are to help, you're still a "predator".

7. Check for bleeding, drooping wings, limp legs, vomiting, loose or watery poops.
Check the bird's breathing. Birds having trouble breathing will "bob" their tail (up and down).
Check the bird's eyes and "nose" for clarity or any "running".

8. If you are bringing the bird to a veterinarian, make notes of any abnormalities so they can be addressed immediately.

9. If you are going to attend to the bird on your own, BE PREPARED FOR A DEDICATED, POTENTIALLY RATHER LONG-TERM COMMITMENT!
IF YOU ARE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO MAKE A GENUINE, DEDICATED COMMITMENT FOR WHAT COULD BE SEVERAL DAYS OR WEEKS, FIND A LOCAL "REHABBER".
The following internet sites are a starting point (clickable links):
*** NATIONAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS ASSOCIATION ***
*** HUMANE SOCIETY WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS ***
You might find a lot of reluctance when making telephone calls to some offices. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED.
Know that your heart is full of caring for a little LIFE and there are others who have the same sentiments.

10. Bottom line:
• Don't panic.
• Remain focused and CALM.
• Work steadily and smoothly. (It won't be easy in most cases. The little LIFE in your hands will want to escape.)
• Speak... softly, assuringly, calmly. Remember, for birds, silence indicates a threat.
• If you find you're on your own, there are more pages here with more information on continued care.
• You can always e-mail us for support. The e-mail account is checked daily!

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A "LICENSED" OR "CERTIFIED" VETERINARIAN AND DO NOT MAKE ANY INSINUATION TO THE CONTRARY. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS BASED ON FOUR YEARS OF INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AT NUMEROUS PROFESSIONAL WEB-SITES AND "AVIAN" FORUMS, AS WELL AS DIRECT, PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OVER A LIFE-TIME OF RESCUING AND TREATING INJURED BIRDS.

* In the event that you contact a veterinarian, "avian" or other, and you are flatly refused assistance, including but not limited to references, referrals, or other support, please feel free to let us know.
If the veterinarian is honest and does not feel comfortable giving you advice over the phone and tells you so, be appreciative that s/he is honest. (And we'd like to know who s/he is... to express our gratitude.) It's perfectly understandable that, with-out seeing the patient, proper diagnosis is impossible.
But, if you receive a out-right refusal of ANY support, PLEASE contact us so that we can "warn/advise" others and save them time that can't be wasted when a little one is in need of help.
yonah@gmx.com