Injured owl, possibly blood in poop

[nelloyello11]

I haven't been on much in a long time, but I have a scary situation and I am looking for help.
This morning, I put my hand into my owl flight, and seriously startleed my owl hen. Normally she is not super skittish around me, but she must not have seen me near the cage so she was extra startled when she caught sight of my hand.

She took off from the feeder where she was sitting, toward the end of the flight, where I think she flew into the corner (wood) or back wall (peg board). She seemed stunned at first, and didn't leave the floor for 5-10 minutes. She finally flew up to a perch and was fluffy, tucking her head. I was hoping she was just stunned and needed rest. She can fly, perch and hop, so I was fairly certain that her legs and wings are ok. I'm nervous to pull her out of the flight, for fear of hurting or stressing her further. I did put a heat lamp near their nest, and food and water in the floor of the flight. She will sleep for a while, then move around, eat, and drink. Then go back to sleep and repeat.

I did notice her bum was a little messy; I thought it was from sitting on the floor and not moving a lot after she pooped. I offered a bath, but neither she nor her mate went in. I just checked her bum again and it looks as though there is blood in the poop that is stuck there. I'm thinking it may be internal bleeding, but I don't know if there is anything I can do for her.

Any suggestions and help are welcome.

[cindy]

Sorry this is happening. I would gently pick her up, with warm water wet the feathers from the neck down, gently push the feathers from the center of to the side as far as possible, from the neck down to the vent and take a good clear picture of her. I does sound like internal bleeding which you may see in the abdomen. it you pm me or post it and there is something noticeable I can show it to someone that might be able to help you.

Keep her warm, put food and water near her, is she eating at all?

[nelloyello11]

I tried catching her, but she is able to fly, seemingly normally. I'm afraid my unsuccessful attempts have stressed her out even more.

Yes, she is eating and drinking between sleeping sessions. I've tried offering a bath, hoping that it will clean off her bum so I can see if there is still fresh bleeding, but she won't go in...

[Sally]

If you can't catch her without stressing her more, I'd just try to keep the heat lamp on for her and see how she does in the next day or so. Do you have anything like NV Powder or Thrive? Supplements for sick birds can often give them just a bit of a nutritional boost.

[lovezebs]

nelloyello11

So sorry Nelissa, poor birdie
If there are internal injuries.... sigh....
I can't really add more than what has already been said. Heat, food and water close by. Keep her comfortable, and hope for the best.

Good luck.

~Elana~

[nelloyello11]

Thank you for your suggestions and support. Unfortunately, she did pass away during the night on Saturday.

We found her in their nest in the morning on Sunday. Her mate stayed with her the whole night. I think he is very lonely. All day Sunday and Monday, he was just singing and calling, probably thinking she was just out of sight, not gone. He's much quieter today, which has me a little concerned. He's not really even answering when I whistle, like he usually does.... Poor guy....

She is definitely missed in our house

[Sally]

So sorry you lost her, she must have really injured herself.

[nelloyello11]

So sorry you lost her, she must have really injured herself.

Thank you Sally.

I think there is a possibility that she had an egg preparing to lay. She had laid one, I think the day before, as there was yolk on the floor of the cage. So I'm thinking maybe that it broke inside of her and caused injury.

[cindy]

Sorry you lost her.

When an egg breaks inside a hen it can cause peritonitis, they will need an antibiotic for a specific period of time to prevent/stop infection.

[Ginene]

So sorry for your loss Fly free, sweet girl...