My cat caught a bird. It's hurt and breathing heavily. What to do?

Thanks for reaching out about this little bird. Often cat attacks are fatal for birds, as there are some pretty bad bacteria in the mouths and claws of cats. If this little bird is still in your possession, I would recommend contacting a wildlife rehabber in your area to see if they would be able to treat it with antibiotics and then rehabilitate it while its feathers grow back. Without its feathers, it makes it very difficult for birds to keep warm, even in warmer climates. If some of the tail feathers are missing, it can make it difficult for them to fly appropriately as well. To find wildlife rehabilitators in your area, you can search the NWRA website or the California wildlife rehabilitators group as well. Additionally, you may be able to contact a veterinarian who is comfortable seeing birds as they may have contacts for wildlife rehabilitators in the area as well. I hope this gives you a place to start, and thank you for caring about this wild bird!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry to hear about this young cat! When an animal is hit by a car sometimes there are injuries you can't see from the outside. They can bleed internally, herniate organs from the belly in to the chest, get contusions (bruising) of the lung or air can get trapped outside of the lungs (pneumothorax), rupture their bladders, brain trauma. Cats can also breath heavily when they are in shock. Sadly there is nothing that you can do alone. He needs a Vet to listen to his lungs and evaluate him for internal bleeding and shock. Just keep him warms and comfortable if you can't get him anywhere I wish you both the best!

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do other than try to keep the bird calm and quiet. I would avoid handling it as birds can pass illnesses to people and other pets. Trying to find a wildlife rehab that can take it ASAP is best!

You should take it to a wildlife rescue, but I am afraid it will likely die. You can try warming it up in a shoe box with a warm water bottle (or put warm water in plastic water bottle. But it is probably not savable. This is "survival of the fittest". Nature is cruel.

Thanks for reaching out about Ettienne. Cat bites are notorious for being dirty and causing infections. Systemic antibiotics are required as topicals will not penetrate into wounds. A veterinary visit must be scheduled for tomorrow, if an emergency veterinary clinic is not available this evening (preferred). Monitor appetite and activity. Good luck.

I am so sorry to hear about Birdy. Any time that a bird is on the bottom of the cage it is concerning, and especially if she is not moving and having trouble breathing. Birdy needs to go to a veterinarian as soon as possible. They will provide her with oxygen, heat support, and may administer medications to her. Birds that are as sick as Birdy sounds are in critical condition, and unfortunately may not do well with handling. This can cause them to pass away suddenly with very minimal stress - I am not saying that this will happen to Birdy, but it is a potential, so I want to try to prepare you for that. I am so sorry that this is happening, and I hope that you are able to get her into a veterinarian very soon.

I am sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds like she defintely needs medical attention. I would see if your parents can drive her to a rehab center or some rehab volunteers will pick animals up so perhaps you can find someone to do this. You can look at https://www.nwrawildlife.org/page/Find_A_Rehabilitator and https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-find-wildlife-rehabilitator to try to find a rehabilitator near you. Until then I would keep the bird in a quiet dark place and handle it as little as possible.