Injured Sparrow, Cat Attack

[DominicK]

Before I start, Im not one for the "Release it, let mother nature do it's part". I have done this to several nest sparrows I have found and would definatly like to at least help one survive.

Okay, my Mum was on call at somebody house, the owner had a cat that brought a sparrow into the house. The sparrow is of a definate young age and has feathers, although stumpy and not fully formed. I google'd some images to find what picture best describes him (no camera) so hopefully somebody can indentify his age.

http://www.the-oasis.org/about/bios/...row_RIP_sm.jpg

He is similar to this image and his tail has small feathers, his wing feathers arent quite as "puffy" as the bird in the above image. More about the injury. The cat has got him right around his right leg, bit of blood but we put himin a cage overnight (we found him evening time) and it appears to have scabbed over and is healing quite well, not sure if the wound will open again.

My main concern is, Claud (named by my sister) has eaten for around 12 hours now and I know these young birds have a high matabalism and need food often. We rushed out to buy dog food after some research and we blended it alongside water, but the bird was not tempted. My initial thoughts were, he wasn't hungry due to shock, but now I am beggining to think he is in too much pain to eat. I used a straw with water and my finger over the top to keep the water in the straw (pressure) and he willingly took the water from the straw. he occasionaly isn't interested in water, and i back off, I just want to keep him hydrated and healthy took fight off his wound.

He did escape my hands and was airborn at a low altitude for around 3-4 seconds so he can fly a little, he is awfully active regardless of his injury but this morning seems a little more subdued. No crys have come from him and he was been totally silent.

I've tried to post in as much detail as i could as he has a great character and I would love to see him rehabilitated into the wild, unfortunatly, I feel if he doesnt survive, he wont make it that far.

Any help is MUCH appreciated.

Thanks,
Dom.

[Urisk]

Having never reared chicks, I can only offer advice, and not tell you what you should be doing.


Mealworms are probably the best thing. You can buy them from farm shops or fishing shops that sell live bait. Alternatively there are dried mealworms. These aren't as good as the live ones, since that will give them water and food, but you can try soaking them for a couple hours first and try feeding them to the juvenile then. Afraid that's all the advice I can give. I'm far from an expert, but there are folks here who could help.

[DominicK]

Originally Posted by Urisk

Having never reared chicks, I can only offer advice, and not tell you what you should be doing.


Mealworms are probably the best thing. You can buy them from farm shops or fishing shops that sell live bait. Alternatively there are dried mealworms. These aren't as good as the live ones, since that will give them water and food, but you can try soaking them for a couple hours first and try feeding them to the juvenile then. Afraid that's all the advice I can give. I'm far from an expert, but there are folks here who could help.

Awesome! I have debated mealworms as I assume some pet shops may sell them?

It's not really what to feed it, more how I can feed it, I mean he wont eat so surely force feeding has to fall under an option otherwise he will be so weak, he will be unable to get better.

I'm truely stuck now, he hasn't made any sounds indicating hunger.

[Pigeon feather]

I'm afraid if the sparrow was attacked by a cat it is likely to get septacamia from the wound as cats teeth harbour a lot of bacteria, therefore it is unlikely to survive even if it does initially look ok or appears to be perking up they often do and then die afterwards, it is important to get antibiotics as soon as possible after a cat attack to prevent this happening but it sounds as if this may be too late? I do hope the little bird survives though.

[Tormentil]

A juv Starling struck our patio windows yesterday morning. Again a cat was the culprit, it was just about to claim its stunned victim when I appeared. Unfortuneatly the victim was a bit more than stunned and died a few minutes later.

C'est la vie.

[Kymba]

Babies should be fed three to four mouthfuls of food every hour from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. Feeding can be done with a toothpick or, if the bird is larger, a smooth rounded chop stick. Each feeding should be followed with a couple of drops of water from an eye dropper, or dripped off the end of a finger. Do not hold the bird while giving food and water unless absolutely necessary, and if the bird must be held, never hold it on its back to give food. Care should be taken in giving food and water since too much of either could easily choke or suffocate the bird. Also, do not squirt water directly down the bird's throat. Just drop a little bit on the end of the beak and let it move down by capillary action. Finally, be careful not to get water in the bird's nostrils.

Sparrows and other seed eaters: slowly scrambled eggs which can be moistened with water for babies;

DO NOT GIVE MILK OR BREAD. They are not mammals and therefore milk is not part of their natural diet. Milk may also cause diarrhea leading to dehydration and bread does not provide the protein and vitamins needed by small babies.

But you should ring your local RSPB (ASAP) to get them to advice you and if possible tell you who to take it to.

Hope this helps. But they do often die not only from their injuries but largely from shock.

[DominicK]

Okay guys that are interested, some bad news, his current situation is deterriating(spelling?) and now has started to shiver once every 4-5 breaths. His eyes are a lot more closed and I have a feeling, just by looking at him, his body is trying to fight the infection or the toxins but failing. We are without a car at the moment, so a wildlife sanctuary is out of the question here.

I really don't want to loose him, but I have seen this physical state before on rescued birds and it never ends well for them unfortunatly and they always pass on. He still wont accept watered down dog food but he will drink water that is placed on the tip of his beak.

Is it worth me providing heat for him, or does his physical maturity mean he doesnt need the heat?

[Kymba]

It doesn't sound very good to me. I think you should be prepared for him to die
If you cant phone RSPB or get to a wildlife centre all you can do is keep it warm and comfortable.

[Gill Catton]

If I was a baby sparrow and I was on the way out, I think I'd want to die in the open air with fresh air and the sent of summer in my nostrils and the sound of other birds around. It might even hear its mum.... Maybe put him/ it in a hedge and if it dies, which sadly it sounds like it might, the body will be absorbed back into the environment and not all will be lost

[DominicK]

Well, I just got your post and thought it would be a good idea to release him as he was just wasting away here. Unfortunatly, when I got down to the cage, he had passed on. He looked relieved and at least he passed away in peace and quiet.

Thanks for trying to help guys.