Injured finch with no vets around, how to take care?

[fhratul]

I have a pair of finch, who, sadly got injured, punctured and scratched by my cat. They are injured in several places and one of them is badly hurt under its wings. I live in a city where we don't have expert vets around, no animal rescue or whatsoever. I've already kept them in a dry, warmer place and has feed them regular foods (seeds) and water. Its winter here and I was afraid they wont survive the night, but surprisingly they made it. I have learnt that garlic is a good herb for birds anti fungal and anti bacterial causes and I've given them garlic water in the morning. They look to be in better shape now, though not chirping anymore like they used to do. I am sad, and more importantly my wife is very sad about it.

So, what should be the actions I shall take in order to cure them faster? Any painkiller/antibiotic (terramycin may be)?

Thank you.

[Sally]

So sorry this has happened to you, it is always sad when our little birds get hurt. I'm not very experienced with antibiotics, etc., but I find that heat is one of the best healers. If you can place a lamp with a 60w (low heat) bulb near one end of the cage, so the birds can perch near the heat, yet get away from it if it gets too warm, this may help them. Any special foods they like, such as eggfood, spray millet, veggies, to help keep them eating. I hope someone will have more advice for you. Where are you located?

[fhratul]

Where are you located?

I live in Bangladesh. I'll try to feed them mashed eggs and dried eggshells tonight. And thank you for the bulb-heat advice, I'll definitely do that.

[cindy]

Are these pets or outdoor birds? Sally mentioned heat. If you can keep a heat lamp on them at about 80 to 85, make sure they stay warm but not to warm they are open beak breathing. Water and food close by. Any open wounds you can use a bit of neosporin ointment. Do not put it on to thick. I would avoid human pain meds. Heat will be best 24/7.

If you give us a location we can try to find someone in your area to help you if these are wild birds.

[Dayna]

If you have a health food store near by or you can probably even get it at a grocery store. Honey. It has to be all natural though and not been heated in any way. If it has already been heated it loses its medicinal effects.
Put it directly on the wounds and it should help to heal them up pretty quick.

[fhratul]

Are these pets or outdoor birds?

These are Greenfinch I believe, and they are kept in a closed cage, inside my room and sometime in the veranda.

If you have a health food store near by or you can probably even get it at a grocery store. Honey. It has to be all natural though and not been heated in any way. If it has already been heated it loses its medicinal effects.
Put it directly on the wounds and it should help to heal them up pretty quick.

Applying honey on the wounds can be difficult for me to handle without the help of an expert vet, I might do them more harm than good if I touch them. So, I am afraid, diet and medicine is all I can afford right now After a few more days, if they look good enough, I might try applying honey on the wounds.

I just got a call from my wife, looks like they like the heat. They haven't touched the garlic water yet, shall I remove it and supply plain water? Or maybe mix a little Terramycin with it?

[monotwine]

I'm so sorry to hear of your little birds wounds. Everyone has given you good advice.
Use the heat. I'd want to encourage them to drink lots of fluid, so I personally would just give them their usual water (perhaps with a little sugar to encourage them to drink)/ water with an antibacterial antibiotic. I don't have too much experience withTerramycin and birds. It is an anti-bacterial drug so a good choice. I only know an ointment type.
Keep the wounds clean. You can wipe them out with warm salt water. Try just be quick to reduce the birds stress of handling.

I've successfully treated cat scratches before, but I've used a liquid antibiotic (Baytrill 10% oral) which was added to the finches water for 10 days.
Unfortuantely I think cat scratches are one of the worst injuries a finch can get. They get infected very quickly and the birds get weak fast unless they get treatment.

I hope you manage to get your birds well.

[fhratul]

I've used a liquid antibiotic (Baytrill 10% oral) which was added to the finches water for 10 days.

Mind telling me the water/medicine ratio?

[Sally]

Here is a homemade recipe for electrolyes that was posted on another thread by debbie276. I'm going to keep this on hand, as I don't always have Pedialyte.

a homemade electrolyte formula.
The recipe I have is:
8 oz of warm water (about 103 to 105 degrees F), add 1/2 Tablespoon sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon baking soda. Mix well, can be kept in frig for a few days.

[cindy]

Sally can you make the recipe itself a sticky in the health section?

[Sally]

It's now a sticky, cindy.

[fhratul]

UPDATE: My finches are doing great. The initial danger phase is gone, I am switching back to regular foods (seeds), eggs on alternate days and sugar-mixed water.

Thank you all for your help! If they survive (I am optimistic they will), I will give "breeding" a shot!

[monotwine]

I've used a liquid antibiotic (Baytrill 10% oral) which was added to the finches water for 10 days.

Mind telling me the water/medicine ratio?

If you get the 10% oral liquid Baytril (important it is at this percentage for the dosage) then you need:
0.4ml / 100ml Water
Usually you give it for 3-7 days depending on the severity of the infection. With Cat scratches I gave it for 10days.

Baytril also has another trade name as Enrofloxyn 10%

[kenny66]

The best treatment under these circumstances is heat-a 60W globe but with enough room for them to move away if they get hot. Shock is the biggest killer than any thing else. I would cover them with a towl to keep them dark and feel more secure. Unfortunately cat wounds are the most toxic to any birds because of the bacterial composition in the cat saliva. I have used a diluted bleach solution in an emergency situation- 1part bleach to 20 parts water with some results. You must let the bleach stand for a while for until gass and smell have somewhat dissapeared. You apply a very small amount with a cotton wool tip-used for cleaning ears-to the wound directly and nowhere else on the bird. It is virtually one small drop. Salty water also can be used the same way in an emergency-one small drop in a mix of 1 part salt to 6 parts water. Please note that I have used this treatment ONLY in an emergency situation and only when in a very remote location for a birdy friend of mine who could not get to a vet and was desperate. It is not an optimum or recommended treatment and has risks associated with it. My initial advice would to get to a vet or medical student/intern, if there is no vet around. The student may be able to access a topical antibiotic which could be used in very small amounts. I really hope your birds survive.