Re: Bird on Road

To avoid any confusion to non-Brits, I shall warn you all that this story uses the British day-first date format, as this is where the story unfolds.

Rachel Lord rach64lord@memail.com 03/01/2025 12:01

to: aandpvetpractice@vets.org.uk

Hello,

I hope you’re doing well in these strange times. I’d like some advice regarding a bird I’ve found on the road, very injured, but I believe not beyond help. I’m afraid I can’t tell you what sort of bird, as I cannot find it in my identifying guide, and the people of Reddit are yet to respond. His (I think he’s a he) wings are drooping, and he cannot stand without support. I think perhaps a leg might be broken. He was initially very slow, but he’s perked up a little since I brought him inside and fed him some cornflakes. But he’s still a little lethargic, and his breathing’s rather laboured. He also looks quite dishevelled and frequently attempts to fly, but to no avail. I live out in the sticks, so due to recent weather, I cannot reach you in person, but any virtual help would be appreciated.

Thank you very much and kind regards,

Rachel Lord.

Arnold and Partners Veter… aandpvetpractice@vets.org.uk 03/01/2025 14:21

to: rach64lord@memail.com

Hi Rachel,

Thanks for reaching out.

Unfortunately, we are not an avian specialist practice, so I am limited in the advice I can give in this capacity. I’d advise first and foremost that you contact a specialised practice, or better still, bring the little fellow to them in person. I acknowledge this may be difficult due to where you’re based. I’m not sure how near they are to you, but I’d strongly recommend Abel Clive Avian Veterinary Practice. If you can’t pay them a visit, give them a call or shoot them an email, and I’m sure they’d be happy to help. You can email them at abelclivevets@memail.com

In the meantime, I suggest no more cornflakes. While well-intended, this could do ultimately more harm than good. In fact, hold back on feeding altogether for now, but offer a shallow dish of water. Hydration at this stage is a necessity. Beyond that, just keep him warm, and keep the noise and stress to a minimum. If his condition worsens, the most humane option, unfortunately may be euthanasia, although I appreciate how distressing this may be to do.

You’ve done a kind thing in helping, and I truly wish you the best of luck.

Warm wishes,

Dr. Graham Earl

Arnold and Partners Veterinary Practice

GrayEarlTea@vets.org.uk

Rachel Lord rach64lord@memail.com 03/01/2025 16:02

to: aandpvetpractice@vets.org.uk

Dr Earl,

Thanks for your response. I’ll keep what you’ve said in mind, and I’ll go ahead and contact the Abel Clive practice. Just to update you, I think the cornflakes helped! She (she’s a she) is walking now, and the wee thief nabbed some more while I wasn’t watching!

Thanks again,

Rachel Lord

Rachel Lord rach64lord@memail.com 03/01/2025 16:05

to: abelclivevets@memail.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

I was referred to you by Dr Graham Earl from Arnold and Partners. I found an injured bird on the road, and was told that you were the best port of call for advice. Unfortunately due to recent weather - even worse since this morning, would you believe it? - and my remote location, I cannot reach you physically. However, I’m hoping you can still help, even if just over email. These are the symptoms I relayed to Dr Earl:

drooping wings; inability to fly or to stand without support; lethargy; laboured breathing; general dishevelment

She has since regained the ability to walk, and has helped herself to more cornflakes, despite Dr Earl’s advice. I’ve done my best to keep her warm and hydrated. I live alone, so it’s safe and quiet for her - as long as my cats stay at bay. What would you advise I do going forward?

Many, many thanks

Rachel Lord

Abel and Clive Veterinary Practice abelclivevets@memail.com 04/01/2025 09:23

to: rach64lord@memail.com

Hi Rachel,

Thanks for contacting us - you’ve made the right choice. First off, I think you’re doing a great job so far, especially on the warmth and quiet, so keep that up. Get her contained somehow, if you haven’t already, perhaps in a sanitized cat carrier - we don’t want her injuring herself trying to fly, and it’ll bring an added sense of security. Don’t handle her unless necessary, and absolutely keep her away from the cat. Any exposure could be fatal, because of bacteria like pasteurella in cat saliva (hence the sanitized carrier). If there has been any contact, let me know, and I’ll see about getting you some antibiotics.

Also, please stop feeding her cornflakes - I’d recommend plain, whole seeds instead, or soaked cat kibble if you’re confident that she’s a corvid species.

Continue to keep an eye on her symptoms. Some red flags to watch out for are worsened breathing, bleeding, or unresponsiveness. If any of these symptoms occur, call us immediately. If out of office hours (9am to 4 pm Monday through Sunday), call the emergency number on our website. You will be charged £4/minute for these calls. Unfortunately, if these symptoms occur, or if current symptoms do not improve, euthanasia may be the most humane route to take.

Could you send across a picture? It’ll let me identify the species and assess her injuries.

Thank you again for your efforts so far,

Dr Hetty King

Abel and Clive Veterinary Practice

hettyviii@vets.org.uk

Rachel Lord rach64lord@memail.com 04/01/2025 11:51

to: abelclivevets@memail.com

Dr King,

Thank you for your response! I’ve transferred her to a cat carrier and given her a hot water bottle. I’m feeding her some sunflower seeds, and she seems to be regaining strength - I think she’s even growing! I’ve attached a picture, for identification and injury assessment. If anything else changes, I’ll let you know.

Many thanks,

Rachel

p.s., I’ve named her Gilly!

Abel and Clive Vetinary Practice abelclivevets@memail.com 04/01/2025 12:23

to: rach64lord@memail.com

Hi again Rachel,

Thanks for the photo. I can confidently identify Gilly as a chimney swift! She doesn’t look too gravely injured, so just keep doing what you’re doing, and she should be right as rain. I’d recommend you keep her at least until this bizarre weather settles. As always, keep up the good work, and let us know if there are any changes.

Thanks,

Hetty

Rachel Lord rach64lord@memail.com 04/01/2025 12:47

to: abelclivevets@memail.com

Hi Hetty,

I’ve done a bit of googling, and she doesn’t look anything like a chimney swift to me? For a start, she’s blue! Anyway, she keeps growing, and is now far beyond the 12 to 15 cm that Wikipedia tells me she should be. She no longer fits the cat carrier. I’m honestly quite alarmed by the rate of her growth. Is this normal? She’s more than doubled in size since yesterday. I hope you can put my mind at ease.

Thanks as always,

Rachel

Abel and Clive Veterinary Practice abelclivevets@memail.com 04/01/2025 13.33

to: rach64lord@memail.com

Hiya Rachel,

It’s all normal, especially if she’s eaten lots. There’s a lot of variation in size, so I wouldn’t worry. As for the colour, it’s to be expected in a juvenile - they dull as they age. Do you have a larger carrier for Gilly? As I said, keep her until this weather settles. I don’t think she’d fare well in a tornado like yesterday’s.

Thanks,

Hetty

Rachel Lord rach64lord@memail.com 04/01/2025 17.23

to: abelclivevets@memail.com

Hetty

I’m getting really concerned now, and I’m absolutely in pieces. Gilly’s grown even more, and she’s eaten my cat. I’m beyond devastated. I’m in two minds whether to keep looking after her. Please, please, please tell me what to do.

Rachel

Arnold and Partners Veter… aandpvetpractice@vets.org.uk 07/01/2025 13:22

to: rach64lord@memail.com

Hello Rachel,

This is Dr Graham Earl again. I’m just getting in touch to warn you to cease any contact you may have with Abel Clive Veterinary Practice. I’ve got wind of some dodgy goings-on.

I hope your bird situation’s going well. Now that the weather’s cleared up, feel free to pay us a visit if you still need help - we’ll be happy to have you.

Sincerely

Dr. Graham Earl

Arnold and Partners Veterinary Practice

GrayEarlTea@vets.org.uk

Arnold and Partners Veter… aandpvetpractice@vets.org.uk 09/01/2025 10:04

to: rach64lord@memail.com

Hello again Rachel,

I shot you an email a couple of days ago, but I’m not sure if you received it. I just wanted to let you know about some legal trouble they’ve gotten into over at Abel Clive. Please cease any contact with them immediately. I hope you’re doing well, and that the bird situation is resolved.

Warm wishes,

Dr. Graham Earl

Arnold and Partners Veterinary Practice

GrayEarlTea@vets.org.uk