Important information to know:
If a cat catches a bird, it doesn’t look good for the bird. Although it seems perfectly healthy! To release the bird would be a death sentence! Don’t do it! The reason is that cats have bacteria in their mouths and also under their claws that are 100% fatal to a bird. This bacteria is called “Pasteurella multocida”. A bird has no chance of surviving the fight against these bacteria and death occurs within a few hours to 24 hours, depending on the situation and the species of bird. Every time you see someone “rescue” a bird from a cat and release it… that bird died! Almost certainly! Amazing, isn’t it! Why don’t they teach us this in school?
What to do?
If the bird looks fine apart from contact with the cat, it does not mean that the bird is fine. If you have access to a rehabilitator or vet, be sure to call them to see if they will help you by determining if the bird is really doing well. The most important thing is to get antibiotics as soon as possible! A broad spectrum antibiotic like Baytril (enrofloxacin is the active ingredient) would greatly increase the chances of survival! (the amount you need to give can be found on this website). 5 days should be enough! The problem, of course, is that you can only get antibiotics directly from a vet. Call ALL your friends and family members and/or post on Facebook if anyone has Baytril for cats or dogs at home!). An opened package that has been stored in the refrigerator would still be good six months later. The vet may not be willing to help or is closed, so searching for Baytril would be a good idea even if you have a same day vet appointment!
GOOD LUCK! Let me know if this guide helped you: helpthecrows@gmail.com
If you want to be prepared in case this happens again: Within EU, you as a private person can buy enrofloxacin without a prescription from another private person. Here are (probably) the tablets: https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_nkw=enrofloxi+15mg Good to have at home!
(Dosage: 15mg per kilogram of bird. So if a bird weighs 500 grams, you take half a pill, every 12 hours for 5-7 days)
