02/26/2026
Please read, we need your help. š
Our sweet, human-bonded pigeon Greg is getting a very serious surgery on Monday. As a baby still in the nest, Greg was the only survivor after a pest control company was hired to kill all the adults pigeons and spray poison on the nests around an office building. Greg managed to survive, but was not left unscathed. The poison did permanent damage to his lungs and throat, leaving him unable to fly for more than a few seconds at a time. The past few months weāve managed his symptoms well and kept his asthma episodes minimal, but the other day was his worst episode since discovering the damage on x-rays. Greg was unable to catch his breath for a terrifying 30 minutes, coughing, honking, and obviously scared. The extent to which we can intervene is minimal. His asthma attacks arenāt able to be helped with an inhaler like humans.
Follow up x-rays showed the damage in his lungs has not progressed, but our vet believes his trachea is being constricted by the damaged tissue in his throat. This means Greg will have to undergo anesthesia, have a breathing tube placed directly into his lungs through his back, and have the damaged tissue cut out and his trachea repaired. Afterwards heāll need to stay in the hospital for several days to prevent infection and recover.
If youāve read this far, thank you. We canāt begin to express how much this bird means to us. Heās our shadow, comes with us to do everything, cuddles us every night for hours while we pet his head. Iām currently typing this with one hand because heās cooing for head scratches. Heās our best friend. Weāre terrified for this upcoming surgery, but without it, a fatal asthma attack could happen any day. It goes without saying, but surgery with multiple days of hospitalization is going to cost a lot. Money has been even tighter than usual. If you could help us, anything at all would be so appreciated (links in bio and in the comments). Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Please keep Greg in your thoughts. ššļø
