Doves and pigeons (isiZulu: ihobhe) are no stranger to our center! We are sure they are no stranger to your gardens either!
Doves and pigeons (amongst other animals) go through a mandatory quarantine at FreeMe Wildlife. These birds are carriers of many transferrable diseases and in order to eliminate any possibility of infecting other patients, they receive a thorough check for symptoms before being integrated into the clinic.
One of the symptoms we look for is in the birds mouth. A cottage-cheese like substance in the mouth or throat, is the result of a highly contagious disease called
Trichomoniasis (or Thrich for short) This is transferred through saliva and communal feeding or watering areas are often a major cause in the spread of this disease.
Should this be caught in early stages, we can treat the infected bird. Late stages of this disease can cause a bird to struggle to eat and breathe.
This is only one of the many, many possibilities of disease these beautiful birds can carry and we are equipped to identify and treat where suitable.
How can you help stop the spread of diseases in garden birds??
Firstly, should a bird bath or communal feeding area be used in your space, please sanitize often and keep it nice and clean. We recommend F10 disinfectant which you can find at most veterinary clinics.
Secondly, should you find a bird that is behaving unusually or is of concern, please give FreeMe Wildlife a call on 033 330 3036 for advice.
We love what we do, and how we do it...
Why not join our Custodianship Program to show your support for the work we do? Anyone from kids to big businesses can join:
http://www.freemekzn.co.za/become-a-custodian/
Otherwise, if a particular story has touched your heart, and you would like to donate directly to our animal care and vet bills, you are welcome to donate directly through these channels:
FreeMe Wildlife
First National Bank
Branch code: 220 725
Account number: 6214 1246 068
PAYPAL ACCOUNT:
http://paypal.me/FreeMeWildlife
SWIFT CODE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS:
FIRNZAJJ
Contact number: 033 330 3036
Pictured here; Hatchling fluff is still evident in this Laughing Dove and it still has a bit of growing to do before adulthood.
More about FreeMe.