Page 445 - Hand rearing birds second

Pigeons and Doves 439

Initial Care and Stabilization

As a general rule, when wild birds are presented for rehabilitation, they arrive under extreme
stress – stress which arises from whatever initial traumatic event lead to their being found and
captured, duration of time since the trauma, plus being handled for sometimes prolonged periods
by the finders. This stress alone can be life threatening, especially in prey species like doves and
pigeons; these birds may put all their energy into frantic attempts to escape a perceived deadly
predator (the well‐meaning rescuer). Doves, especially, have been known to die from stress in the
hands of rehabilitators during treatment.
Birds often arrive cold and dehydrated, so a common rule is to keep the animal warm, dark, and
quiet for at least 15–20 minutes after arrival before extensive handling. Place fully‐feathered birds
in a covered, padded container atop a heating pad set on “low.” Be aware that a bird (especially an
adult) that seemed lifeless on intake may become active and attempt escape once it reaches normal
temperature. Higher temperatures are needed for hatchlings (90–100 °F, 32–38 °C) and nestlings
(80–90 °F, 27–32 °C) depending on how fully feathered they are; they should never feel cold to the
touch of a warm human hand.
Birds may also arrive hyperthermic due to high environmental temperatures or capture stress.
Clinical signs may include rapid, shallow, or open‐mouthed breathing, and weakness. These birds
will feel hot to the touch. Place them in a cool, dark, and quiet place. A gentle breeze from an elec-
tric fan may help. If they don’t cool down after 15 minutes, give room temperature subcutaneous
(SQ) fluids at 5% of body weight (50 ml/kg).
At the end of this calming period, do a quick evaluation for injuries and disease. With these find-
ings in mind, prepare all the materials and tools needed for post‐stabilization treatment, thus
reducing handling times. Providing fluids is crucial at this stage. This can be most quickly and
efficiently done using pre‐warmed (105 °F, 41 °C) lactated Ringers solution (LRS) given SQ at 5% of
body weight (50 ml/kg). Give SQ fluids via a 25‐gauge needle under the loose skin at the front (cra-
nial aspect) of the knee, directing the syringe forward, parallel with the femur and at a very shal-
low angle. Create a small bleb of fluid under the skin, then re‐position the needle as needed. Do
not turn birds onto their backs to give fluids, or put pressure on their crop if it has anything in it.
Allow the bird to absorb this for another 15–20 minutes at which point perform a full, thorough
examination (see Chapter 1). An additional 5% body weight of fluids can be given after this exam
if needed. Do not offer food until birds are warmed and begin to pass urates in droppings.
During periods of extreme heat and subsequent dehydration, multiple administrations of fluids
may be necessary – continue hourly until the birds begin to pass urates. Do not continue giving SQ
fluids unless the previous bolus has been absorbed. Fluids can also be given via gavage, but this
should only be done in a bird that is alert and can hold its head up, lest the bird regurgitate and risk
aspiration. A well‐hydrated bird will be alert, with skin that snaps back easily, bright eyes, moist
mucus membranes, and well‐formed, moist feces. A moderately dehydrated bird will be less than
fully alert and have dry, wrinkled skin, dull eyes, unformed feces, and tacky mucus membranes
with stringy saliva. A severely dehydrated bird will be lethargic or unconscious, with skin that
stays “tented” when slightly pinched, and will have sunken eyes, dry or absent feces, and dry
mucus membranes.
One caveat regarding the initial rest period after arrival: always do a quick scan of the patient
before placing it on the heating pad. Some injuries require immediate attention lest a treatable
problem becomes a life threatening one. For example, if the tibiotarsus is broken and the bird tries
to stand on it, a closed fracture can become a compound fracture or worse. This sort of fracture
needs immediate care; be careful to move quickly and efficiently and reduce handling time as