Orthopaedic injuries in pigeons
McCartney, W.T.
Veterinary Record 134(12): 305-307
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 8009790 Document Number: 432054
Between November 1989 and April 1991, 948 pigeons were presented to a hospital in Birmingham, UK; 621 (65.5%) had medical problems and 327 (34.5%) had injuries. Of the 327 birds with injuries 47% had wing fractures, 18.7% leg fractures, 11% other wing problems, 8.6% chest injuries alone, 4.9% feather loss causing inability to fly, 4.6% old healed fractures, 2.5% foot problems and 2.1% other limb problems. Birds with grossly infected open fractures were killed and 35 with wing and leg fractures were treated by bandaging and splinting. The birds with feather loss were given cage rest until feathers had regrown. The treatments attempted in 75 of the pigeons with wing problems is listed; only 37 (49%) were successfully released. Many birds had a chest injury in combination with a limb injury.