Urgent help with my new bird!

mrbadexample

Ok, sorry about the title, but I needed attention quickly!

I have been to feed my mate's cat, and the little <expletive deleted> had brought a bird into the kitchen. :mad:

It was still alive, and laying on its back on the floor. I shooed the cat out, picked it up with a tea-towel and put it in a well-ventilated cardboard box, then took it home. When I got home it had got to its feet, which looks hopeful. Obviously, anything I do terrifies the poor thing, so I haven't been able to get a good look.

I have no idea how long the cat had it, but it's taken a bit of a pasting, and has lost a lot of feathers. Part of its back is down to the skin. I think it's a thrush, but it might be a blackbird, I can't tell yet. I don't want to freak it out by photographing it. It's warm and safe for the night, and has a source of water.

I know it's almost certainly doomed, but if it does make it through the night, what then? It can't be released, as it has a lot of recovering to do first. What do I do with it? I don't especially want to take it to a vet, who would probably just put it down, at least not if it has a decent chance. Are there any other organisations who would deal with it?

And if it does make it through the night, what do I feed it?

Please help - I'll do anything I can to help the poor little thing. I flippin' hate cats. :mad:

I'm at a mates house at the moment, so won't be able to check in again until tomorrow, so please post any ideas you have and I'll check them later.

Ta,
MBE

Edit: Sorry if this is in the wrong place, but I thought I'd get most help here...:o

Rikki

If its a blackbird / thrush then worms.

I would of pinched some of the cats food as it contains meat and to pay it back.

The bird will be in shock so best leave it to recover some where quiet.

weegie_2

Can sympathise - used to have a cat that did this ALL the time. Record breaking bird, 3 mice and a fish out of a pond all in the one day once ......anyhoo, back to your dilemma.

Most birds our cat brought in she had killed, there were a few that were still alive. Once I caught the bird I would just put back into the garden or field beside us in a nice wee quiet bit. Most made it (I think)....don't think there is much else you can do. Not sure if it is worth an organisation helping out - but I could be wrong.

I would just release into a wee bush somewhere and keep your fingers crossed.....

weegie...

Aberdonian_At_Heart

maybe look in the yellow pages for a rescue centre for birds or something like it .........maybe the rspca could advise on what to do ??

mrbadexample

weegie wrote:

I would just release into a wee bush somewhere and keep your fingers crossed.....

weegie...

If I do that it'll die for sure, it needs time to recover and regrow feathers.

Lillibet_2

Feed it with tinned cat food, well mashed up. Please don't feed it bread as this will swell in it's stomach & if already in a delicate condition will almost certainly kill it (my hubby is a countryside ranger, please trust me on this). If you haven't got acess to any tinned cat food tinend dog food is second best.

Check your yellow pages for any wildlife sanctuarys near you, most will take it even if they are primarily mammal or swan sanctuarys. Failing that try your nearest country park ranger station, the staff are pretty good at dealing with these sorts of things (over the last few years I have nursed a hedgehog, duck, particually viscious canada goose, frogs, a tail-less newt & more birds than I can remember courtsey of members of the public who think my husband & his colleagues are some sort of public veterinary service:rolleyes:).

Try not to let it get too hot. If you can, keep the box in a shed or out house rather than indoors, it might seem cold to you but the bird is not used to being inside.

Finally, if you need to handle it, put a towel or something over it's head so that it can't see, this will lower it's stress levels & make it "fight" less.

HTH & good luck;)

MissScarlett_3

RSPCA came out once and collected a Dove that was injured and I'd rescued - worth a try. Failing that, let nature take its course I'm afraid and release it tomorrow. Not the cats fault, that's nature too.

kathyd_2

Aaah! Good man, hope it survives.

mrbadexample

MissScarlett wrote:

Not the cats fault, that's nature too.

It is if they're gonna eat it. When the cat's well-fed it's sport. :mad:

It's still alive, I've just checked. A quick peek through one of the ventilation holes so as not to disturb it.

skintchick

My cat Garfie used to bring live things in all the time. You did the right things so far, but assuming it's still alive in the morning (birds and mice have a horrible tendency to die of shock overnight) then call the RSPCA and ask their advice.

Depending on how badly hurt it is, they may advise letting it loose outside to take its chances, or taking it to a vet.

Your fears that a vet will just put it down are ill-founded - vets will happily treat wild animals if there's a chance for them to survive.

But your first port of call should be the RSPCA - they are the experts and will know what's best.

Let us know what they say.

alikat_3

This is why I don't like cats, they kill garden birds. Your bird seems to be lucky we had similar with a robin which we took to a rescue centre, but it died apparently most will die due to internal injuries caused when the cat bites through the neck. If your bird does make it, I'd phone someone like the rspca for advice rather than collection if you prefer. I'd also suggest to your friend that they get a bell for cat's neck, to give birds a slight chance in getting away.