June 17th, 2010 | 
Author: The birds is approximately 3 weeks old. I believe it’s a female grackle. My friend has been caring for it for about 2 weeks. The air pocket , which is under the baby birds wing was noticed about day 2 or 3. My friend sterilized a needle to pop it but keeps filling with air. About a week later the air pocket is spreading further down and covers more area. He would like to know if he should continue lancing it or is there a better alternitive.
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PLEASE take him to a vet ASAP!
See a vet who specializes in birds. I wouldn’t trust anyone on the internet with that kind of issue.
All birds naturally have “air pockets” in their body that help them fly, float and do other bird things!
Sometimes, from trauma or infection, an air sack can burst and the air is leaked to the surface under the skin.
Usually this is not serious and the air sack will eventually heal, but sometimes serious infections can occure. Antibiotics usually speed up the healing process. You might want to try picking up some tetracycline or doxycycline from a feed store.
You can continue to lance the air pockets, but they will keep coming back. If the pockets are in a very sensative area or seems to be causing the bird discomfort then I would lance it safely. However, if the bird doesn’t seem to notice it you can leave it alone – since it will just fill back up.
It should eventually heal on its own, so good luck with the little girl, and I Hope everything works out!
Edit:
If you take the bird to the fish and game department, she will most likely be put down. A vet may or may not treat her for you. But its your decision with what to do.
Since this has been going on so long, I highly doubt this is a ruptured gullet, which can happen after dog/cat attacks on birds. Birds with ruptured gullets rarely live past a few days, and are in obvious pain and distress. They are also usually in shock, and would not be eating or drinking.
Again, good luck with this little girl!
FIRST OF ALL HE SHOULD NEVER HAD DONE THAT! wHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS CONTACT THE FISH AND WILD LIFE DEPT. OKAY. THEY WILL DO TESTS ON THE LITTLE BIRD AND ETC.. lITTLE BIRDS FROM THE WILD CARE ALOT OF DIFFERENT DISEASES AND UNLESS YOU “ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING THEN” DON’T PROCEED WITH
NOTHING OF TRYING TO FIX.I SERIOUSLY WOULD LOOK UP IN YOUR TELEPHONE BOOK UNDER THE GOVERMENT SECTION FOR FISHING AND WILDLIFE DEPT. AND THEY WILL SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP IT.IF IT LOOKS LIKE A AIR POCKET #1 THIS COULD BE THE KROP WHERE THE FOOD GOES AND UNLESS I COULD ACTUALLY TAKE A LOOK I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO GUESS.THERE ARE OTHER WEB SITESLISTED BELOW. I HOPE BABY IS OK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not always do these agencies put down birds. As a rehabilitator, I get calls from all sorts of places–from vet’s offices to pet shops. A lot of people call these places , and they call me. So talk to your vet, or a local pet shop–chances are they will know someone in your area.