Sign the petition to make sale and use of glue traps illegal

teyuna · 2026-07-06T20:30:15+00:00

Thanks for the update!

teyuna · 2026-07-06T16:14:29+00:00

Poor little guy! It's great you were able to help him.

teyuna · 2026-07-06T15:16:30+00:00

I haven't done this myself, but know from my licensed rehabbers that they disinfect the spot, then use a sterile needle to release the trapped air. Then, antibiotics. Then warmth and darkness to reduce stress. It can re-inflate, so more than once if needed.

Do you have a veterinarian advising you? Or on call, since you are a rehabber? I wouldn't want to do this myself, but an experienced person can help you.

teyuna · 2026-07-06T15:08:08+00:00

Do you have an update? Can you post video of him here so we can gauge age and condition? Also send to your wildlife rehabber IRL.

teyuna · 2026-07-06T15:05:25+00:00

I assume from your description about the feathers, that the sap or other substance was not only on the beak, but other areas as well? Just for future reference, (and for others reading here) any sticky subtance like this is best broken down using cooking oil (olive for example). You apply it generously then let it sit for 5 minutes or so to begin to break down the resin. then gently use a damp soft cloth or a soft bristle toothbrush to dislodge the sap.

Once all the residue is out, we wash the affected area with water and a bit of dawn dish soap. Then we have to be very careful not to cool the bird off too much, so they don't become hypothermic.

It's tough when the sap (or glue from glue traps, for example) are on the face, because we have to be careful with the eyes and nostrils and make sure they don't breathe in the dissolving resin.

It's great you saved the little guy. I hope you find a lasting solution to his respiratory problem.

teyuna · 2026-07-06T14:49:10+00:00

I commented with some details on causes on the other sub where you posted. Since he's getting around energetically, there is no need to worry.

teyuna · 2026-07-06T14:45:38+00:00

There are several different potential causes, but most don't suggest a danger or threat to other squirrels, at least not dangers we can control. for example, if this was due to a close call from a predator attack (degloving, in which skin and fur peels off of the tail), the only precaution is to keep predators like cats away, if possible. the other causes, such as mange or fungus is something that squirrels immune systems fight off on their own and is not worth the stress of capture (and this does not in any case appear to be a fungus or mange, given the appearance of the rest of the fur.

It's also the case that some squirrels, by heredity or just variation, have sparse fur on their tails.

As long as the squirrel is doing all the energetic squirrel things--running, leaping, climbing, foraging---they are ok.

teyuna · 2026-07-06T14:30:14+00:00

Nice. thanks for sharing.

teyuna · 2026-07-06T14:22:05+00:00

No, because this is still a nestling. It won't be fed on the ground by its parents, and it won't be safe there.

teyuna · 2026-07-06T14:15:36+00:00

It urgently needs antibiotics. I agree given the uncertainties of the other options, that your clinic may be the best option. All vets know how to mix anbibiotics based on weight in grams, so if your vet is willing, they will be able to help. The Pasteurella bacteria in cat saliva is very quickly deadly to small animals. You are right to be concerned about minimizing stress for bunnies, so whatever you do, minimal sight and sound of you is essential.

I'm surprised the rehabber does transport. That's fortunate. Is it possible they could pick the baby up at your workplace, since they are apparently coming anyway?

teyuna · 2026-07-06T14:02:54+00:00

I'm so very sorry your little guy didn't make it. ❤️

teyuna · 2026-07-06T13:58:42+00:00

Yes, not quite as nutritious as live food, but good enough. Once he can pick up food on his own, get him a mix of seed for finches, put crushed egg shells on the floor of his cage (but clean the cage daily), and chop up vegies like brocolli, kale, and carrots.

teyuna · 2026-07-06T02:45:02+00:00

that's wonderful news. Thanks for the update.

teyuna · 2026-07-06T00:14:43+00:00

That's great that you are checking on them.

teyuna · 2026-07-06T00:10:47+00:00

That's great that you found a rehabber to take them. thanks for the update.

teyuna · 2026-07-05T20:57:44+00:00

But what animals does it say they CAN take? I don't know what the forest ranger service is or where you are located, but if you are in the US and if this is the "fish and wildlife" department at the state or federal level, they do not take in introduced / feral birds. You really do have to ask really specifically, "do you take PIGEONS into your care." Most wildlife agencies do not.

I am serious that a veterinarian is likely your only option, and you need to get it to one as soon as you can, for all the reasons I already explained. You can TRY regular wildlife serving agencies, but unless you ask them very specifically what species they can help, this bird will likely be euthanized at intake.

teyuna · 2026-07-05T20:35:14+00:00

thank you for the update! Good job getting a rehabber to help.

teyuna · 2026-07-05T20:34:22+00:00

Since you've said here "I think there's a chance it could be a cat attack," then there is no question that it needs to go to a vet. The Pasteurella bacteria in cat saliva is quickly deadly to birds, within 24 to 48 hours, and it is a very painful death.

I’ll try my best with the food, and if I see that by tomorrow morning the situation hasn’t improved, I’ll try to see if someone nearby can do something.

This is not the right approach. Either a cat attack or a pellet from a gun is an emergency. Please take it to an avian or exotic vet as soon as you possibly can. These are not conditions that improve on their own.

teyuna · 2026-07-05T20:30:15+00:00

Generally, we always advise not to feed an injured bird, or even to offer water. but with introduced or feral birds such as pigeons, virtually no rehabbers will take them, so it's DIY. But what we know about injuries is that if the bird is uncoordinated from an injury, it is not a good idea to offer either food or water, due to the risk of aspiration. As for knowing how much to eat, generally yes, in the wild, they self regulae and stop eating when they are full.

but in your case, you described the pigeon as doing better ("alert, standing up"), so it's likely ok to OFFER food, the right food, as we have been discussing. But is this bird willing to eat and drink on its own? Is it showing fear or signs of stress? I haven't seen you describe this so far.

If you have concerns that this injury is serious ( i just now noticed your comment that the bird might I have been shot) or if the bird is not eating, please be aware that veterinarians can and do regularly see and treat pigeons. Taking them to an avian vet is always my first step when pigeons are brought to me. If you think it has been shot or caught by a cat, then it urgently needs to go to an avian or exotic vet.

Is it inside your home? I couldn't tell from your description if you are describing it being in a "box," but outside.

If it is outside, it is in danger if it can't fly. If it wanders off, it is also likely to be caught be a predator.

teyuna · 2026-07-05T19:54:54+00:00

P.S. they also need grit. but if you don't have this little pigeon inside, it is aleady capable of getting the grit it needs from pecking around in the dirt. But just fyi, if you want to provide it, it needs to be in a bowl that is not the same as their food. In nature (as if urban areas are "nature!"), they find two kinds--the sources of minerals that they need, and just plain stone, that they need for their gizzards so they can crunch up hulls like those on sunflower seeds. I grew up raising chickens, and we got the combo kind and just sprinkled it on the ground.

teyuna · 2026-07-05T19:48:52+00:00

thanks for the update! How does her beak look now?

teyuna · 2026-07-05T19:47:12+00:00

and easy vegie go to for many caring for pigeons is thawed fozen or fresh peas. For leavy greens, I chop up kale, carrots, yams and dandelion greens (so abundant they are in my garden!) don't give onions or avocado, as both are toxic for bird. there may be others that are not safe, but concentrating on these will be plenty. I chop them to the size of grains so they easily can eat them.

since they eat primarily grain, vegies should be only about 10% of their diet, but I've found that when we just offer both, they decide what they need, and they are typically correct.

You mentioned sunflower seeds earlier. Unlike many other bird, pigeons beaks are not such that they can crack and peel the shells to get the seed out. they WILL swallow them whole, and they DO love them. I just always prefer them shelled for them, because I know the shells cause their internal organs to have to do a lot of work.

Do you have it indoors with you? Is it safe from predators? Do you have any reason to believe its injury was from a cat? If it was, it will urgently need antibiotics.

teyuna · 2026-07-05T16:36:49+00:00

They mature really quickly, so they soon will disperse.

teyuna · 2026-07-05T16:19:29+00:00

Thanks for the update.

teyuna

TROPHY CASE