Post by bq93 on Jan 19, 2008 17:17:37 GMT -5
I’m going to ask a stupid question, but remember I’m still an apprentice and I’m asking about my bird’s health. I'll take my lumps for her benefit.
Have you ever had a bird get a runny/bloody nose?
Yesterday I got my hen RT out of the mew and fed her a squirrel tidbit on the way into the garage. While working with her there I noticed blood in only her right nostril. I tried to mist it out with the spray bottle, but I don’t just want to run a hose up there so it was difficult to get out. I called my sponsor at the THA meet and he said she probably just tried to breathe while eating the squirrel and got blood in her nose.
I took her hunting today and she just wasn’t following well (note – it is pretty cold and a little windy today). She’s killed 3 squirrels in the last week so she knows what she is supposed to do. I retrieved her with no problems, but even at hunting weight she just sat in the tree with one foot pulled up. I can see that the blood/water mixture is still moist this afternoon, which would indicate it might be coming from her, and she was bouncing around in the mew yesterday so it is conceivable she could have hit it on something. But other than not following well, and that blood in one nostril, she seems to be fine, no hard breathing, respiratory distress etc.
I know that is a lot of factors, especially when you can’t see the bird, but I am slightly concerned. Hopefully I’m just paranoid, but I wanted to see if anyone has any input. Should I be worried, just watch it, take her hunting again tomorrow and see what happens?
Seriously ANY input is appreciated.