Injured sparrowhawk

[Dude]

My fellow falconer get an injured female sparrowhawk, juveline bird. This bird was shooted on her wing with an airgun. The metacarpal bone fractured. The muscles have a dark greyish, greenish colour. Its seems there are infections. The bird feel pain on the wingtip, maybe the tissues not dead already. The bird was injured 2 days ago. I thought I will try to give her a chance and give her sum antibiotics. I dont remember the name of the medicine. I think it was thylosin.

[HawkMom]

If the bone is broken, a pin is definately needed. The color of the flesh you described sounds like a bad case of infection. If you can get the bird to an avian vet, do so right away. I think that Baytril may be good for the infection, but it does cause loss of appetite.

[Harris]

I'm no expert, but surely if the muscle mass is green, then its gangrenouse, and would need removing, resulting in a bird that would never fly again. Obviously only a vet could make that decision though.

[Sprout]

Green tissue can just be bruising in birds. If the bird has a fracture it needs assessing - if open ie the bone is visible then best to euthanase now as chance of full recovery is minimal. If close to a joint then again euthanasia is probably the best option, if midshaft there is a chance, depends on what bone as to what is best course of action eg if ulna (but radius intact) then just cage rest followed by physio will do. Spars do not tolerate wings being strapped at all. Good luck, PM me if want any further advice but best get it seen by a vet. If there is no chance of a full recovery for release or it will be unable to fly again then euthanasia is the kindest option.

[Tim Laycock]

Green tissue can just be bruising in birds. If the bird has a fracture it needs assessing - if open ie the bone is visible then best to euthanase now as chance of full recovery is minimal. If close to a joint then again euthanasia is probably the best option, if midshaft there is a chance, depends on what bone as to what is best course of action eg if ulna (but radius intact) then just cage rest followed by physio will do. Spars do not tolerate wings being strapped at all. Good luck, PM me if want any further advice but best get it seen by a vet. If there is no chance of a full recovery for release or it will be unable to fly again then euthanasia is the kindest option.

I think the best advice is contained in this post Karl :yawinkle:

[Sprout]

Just re-read your post, sure it is the carpometacarpal bone? If so, the top people regards avain fractures (Pat Redig, Minnesota) quote a 28% success rate for this fracture - not great. Strapping can be used for some birds but spars do not tolerate this at all well. Ideally then want pinning or external fixators applying but with the minimal tissue covering the area there is risk of vascular damage resulting in the wing tip sloughing off whatever you do.

[Dude]

the fracture is about at the middle of the metacarpal bone. No bones visible. Yesterday I cleaned the wound and take sum betadine on it. the bird is in good condition. The bird also can place her wing in normal position. We also thought that euthanasia will be the way :( Well we give a chance, maybe she will rehabilitate. We cant bring her to a vet, coz our vet is on holiday now. Other vets wanna get too much money and we dont have too much of it... If we bring her to the ministry of nature or one of the zoos as soon as we left the place they will kill it before they have a closer look.

Thanks for the advice guys

Dan.

[Sprout]

Good luck, you can only try.

[Dude]

I'll try and hoping for her recovery!

Dan.

[Dude]

The little fella died today from septicaemia. :( ....