Rfalconcam Forum

Bobcat Patient

PATIENT:  Bobcat, #10-2123

 LOCATION OF RESCUE:  Prince George County, Virginia

 CAUSE OF ADMISSION:  Found by the side of the road

ADMISSION DATE:  October 15, 2010

PROGNOSIS:  Likely releasable

BobcatOn Friday, October 15, the Wildlife Center admitted a rather feisty young patient — a juvenile Bobcat.  The bobcat was found in early September by the side of the road in Prince George County.  Her rescuers picked her up and took her to Joyce Bulls, a permitted rehabilitator in Sussex County.  Joyce became concerned about the bobcat’s ability to hear, so she arranged to transfer the cat to the Wildlife Center.

Upon admission, the veterinary team sedated the very alert and aggressive bobcat so they could perform a complete physical exam.  The young bobcat — a female — is smaller than expected for one seen at this time of year; however, this could be a young cat from a second litter, or could just be naturally small in size.   Weighing in at a little more than seven pounds, the bobcat is in good body condition, though several types of parasites were found when a fecal examination was performed.  The veterinarians started the bobcat on medications to kill off the parasites and also treated for fleas.  The bobcat was also found to be slightly anemic, which could be due to the parasites or her diet.

Currently the young bobcat is being housed in an outdoor isolation pen until her parasites are gone.  Follow- up bloodwork and a fecal analysis will be performed on October 22.  So far, the bobcat doesn’t seem to have trouble hearing, though further assessment will be needed.
October 19 update

When veterinary extern students checked on the bobcat on Tuesday, October 19th, they noted that the feline was mildly disoriented.  After observation, the students noted that the bobcat exhibited slight head tremors and seemed most uncoordinated when trying to localize a sound or person.  The bobcat can turn around quickly though and can make calculated movements.  This disorientation could be related to the anemia, an infectious disease, or a number of other things.  Additional monitoring is needed, and the veterinary team may decide to anesthetize her earlier than the end of the week for a more thorough check-up.
October 25 update

The mild disorientation of the bobcat that was noted last week has been improving; the bobcat is now maneuvering around her cage while focusing her attention on the humans who are present.  This lack of coordination is puzzling – it could simply be stress, or perhaps something more serious.   Dr. Miranda Sadar did some extensive journal research and identified another possibility – a protozoan parasite  that can cause some serious problems for felines – including bobcats and domestic house cats.    While this parasite is difficult to pinpoint, to be on the safe side, special medications were ordered last week to treat this particular parasite.

On Monday, October 25, the veterinary team anesthetized the bobcat so that they could perform a thorough physical exam as well as deliver the new medication through an injection.  Dr. Kelly Flaminio led the team through this examination and found the bobcat to be in even better body condition than when she first arrived.  The cat has  been eating well and gained more than a half a pound since admission.  No fleas were found, though some internal parasites were found when another fecal examination was performed.

Dr. Kelly and the veterinary extern students paid special attention to the bobcat’s teeth during this physical exam so that they could more accurately guesstimate her age,bobcat teethwhich they think is about six months.  While examining her teeth, however, they identified another issue – the bobcat’s lower jaw is asymmetric and her canines and incisors are growing in incorrectly.  Radiographs of her jaw were taken and a spot was seen that could indicate an old fracture, perhaps one that occurred when she was originally rescued from the roadside.

While the bobcat’s teeth and jaw do not seem to be causing her any problems now, additional consultation is needed before making decisions about her future.

After her physical exam and treatment, the bobcat was moved to the Center’s bear pen, to allow her more room to move around.

   :cat:     Awww,she looks scared! :eyecat:

With all of these things going on, it probably is a good thing she was rescued!

PATIENT:  Bald Eagle, #10-2153

LOCATION OF RESCUE:   Caroline County

CAUSE OF INJURY:   Struck by vehicle — perhaps twice?

ADMISSION DATE:  October 29

PROGNOSIS:  Guarded

On October 28, a truck driver in Caroline County hit a juvenile Bald Eagle after the bird walked out onto the road.  The driver contacted Carolina County Animal Control,Eagle who took the eagle to Hanover Green Veterinary Clinic in Mechanicsville.  Wildlife rehabilitator Barbara Slatcher picked up the eagle and took it to fellow rehabilitator Debbie Pupa for stabilization and overnight care.   

Debbi  found that the eagle had an open fracture of its right humerus – the bone had penetrated the eagle’s skin, greatly increasing the risk of infection.  Debbie cleaned the wound, treated the bird for maggots, and wrapped the bird’s wing for stabilization.

On the morning of October 29, Bill Pupa [Debbie's husband] drove the eagle to the Wildlife Center’s clinic in Waynesboro. The eagle was assigned patient number #10-2153 and is the 19th Bald Eagle admitted for treatment thus far in 2010.

Eagle examDr. Kelly Flaminio examined the Bald Eagle and found that the bird is in poor condition.  Because of the extensive maggot infestation, Dr. Kelly believes that the eagle was likely injured earlier in the week — perhaps Tuesday or Wednesday.   The eagle’s wing has two large puncture wounds in its wing from the broken bone – one in the front, and a fresher wound in the back.  Perhaps the eagle had been struck by a vehicle earlier in the week [wound #1] and then suffered a second wound when it was struck by the truck on October 28.

Dr. Kelly anesthetized the bird, flushed and cleaned its wounds, and stabilized the fracture.  The eagle has received pain medications, antibiotics, and fluids and is being housed in the Center’s critical-care chamber.

If the bird is stable, on Saturday [October 30] Dr. Miranda Sadar and Dr. Kelly will further assess the eagle’s condition, including its eyes, and will determine if it is possible to operate on the bird to pin the fractured humerus.

 :eyecat:  This Eagle maybe has 9 lives!    :cat:

This poor eagle!  I hope this little one makes it  :pray:

October 31 update

On Saturday, October 30 Dr. Miranda Sadar and Dr. Kelly operated on the bird to pin the fracture.  On October 31 the eagle was standing; Dr. Miranda rated the eagle’s condition as ”better than expected.”  The bird will be offered food and perhaps tube-fed.  

Questions still remain about the viability of the bird’s humerus.   Additional details on the surgery and the latest prognosis will be posted on November 1.



On November 1 the eagle was anesthetized again.  The wound on the ventral [front] side of the wing was cleaned and sutured.  Another round of radiographs were taken, revealing good post-surgery alignment of the pinned fracture.  However, questions still remain about the viability of the bird’s humerus.  The eagle’s eyes were also examined; there were no apparent problems.

Franken-turtle

PATIENT:  Eastern Box Turtle, #10-2098

LOCATION:  Churchville, Virginia

CAUSE OF ADMISSION:   Likely hit by car

ADMISSION DATE:  October 8

PROGNOSIS:  Candidate for release in spring 2011

One Wildlife Center patient already has his Halloween costume picked out:  this year, he’ll be dressed up as Franken-turtle.

On October 8, this Eastern Box Turtle was admitted to the Wildlife Center after a Center volunteer found him in the middle of the road.  Based on the number of shell fractures present, Wildlife Center staff are assuming that the turtle was hit by a car.  With fractures extending over  the entire left side of the turtle’s body, it seemed impossible that such a small animal could withstand that much trauma.  Fortunately, it was just his shell that suffered the trauma; the injuries did not extend into his body cavity.

Franken-turtleWith fractures in at least five different places on the carapace (upper shell), plastron (lower shell), and bridge (part that connects the upper and lower shells), the veterinary staff knew that it would be a challenging repair.   After cleaning the wounds, metal bars and zip ties were strategically epoxied to the shell to stabilize the fractures.  With so many materials holding this turtle together, he has taken on a rather Frankenstein-like appearance.

While there was some initial concern over the health of the shell at the bridge fracture, everything now seems to be on the mend.  With so many different fractures, a few bars have loosened and have had to be re-applied.  Last week, for instance, a fractured portion of the plastron shifted, which caused some constriction of the Box Turtle’s left hind limb.   The turtle can still pull his leg in and out of his shell, so the staff veterinarians aren’t overly concerned at this point.  Daily checks ensure that bars are remaining stable.

Shell fractures of this nature typically take about two months to heal.  Because this Eastern Box Turtle won’t be fully healed until December — when these reptiles are hibernating — the turtle will remain at the Center until next April.



October 28 update Dulles airport Eagle

On October 27, Dr. Kelly re-examined the eagle.  The bird was anesthetized for another round of radiographs — no fractures were found.  A more thorough examination of the eyes, however, found retinal tears in both eyes — serious injuries — and hemorrhaging in the right eye. 

After the examination, the eagle seemed quite lethargic.  By the morning of October 28, however, the bird had recovered and was bright and alert.  The eagle will be offered food over the next couple of days.
November 1 update

On November 1 Center veterinarians re-examined the eagle’s eyes.  The hemorrhaging in the right eye showed signs of improvement.  There are small retinal tears in both the right and left eyes.  While these tears are small, the bad news is that they seem to be in parts of the retina that are critical to the eagle’s vision.

The eagle’s eyes will be re-examined in about two weeks — during the week of November 15.

November 2 update Bobcat

After Drs. Dave McRuer, Miranda Sadar, and Kelly Flaminio reviewed the bobcat’s radiographs from last week, they decided that further consultation was needed before making any decisions about the bobcat’s fate.  Unfortunately, with the misalignment of the lower jaw, she will not be able to be released; the bobcat’s lower incisors would inevitably puncture the roof of her mouth.   However, the trio of doctors will be taking the bobcat to the Animal Hospital of Waynesboro on Thursday morning to take dental radiographs.      These x-rays should be able to tell us if any corrective procedure can be performed to realign the jaw.   

In the meantime, the bobcat seems to be enjoying living in the bear pen; with more space in quieter location, she appears to be less stressed.  She continues to eat well.

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/great-horned-owl-rescue/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/great-horned-owl-rescue/) Great Horned Owl Rescue, trapped in chimney for 2 weeks.

 :wave:  Thanks for the updates Donna.  ;D

Look at that poor turtle!  All those things holding his shell tight and well aligned!  Amazing!  Years ago, Kevin and I came across a large snapping turtle, who had been hit by a car.  We got him loaded into the car -- I'm telling you, there was nothing wrong with his neck and jaws!...and took him to a reptile vet (no, he wasn't a reptile, he looked after them!) we knew in Toronto. It was just at the advent of SuperGlue. And that's what the vet did -- superglued his shell together and used clamps to hold for a while.  And in the long run, Kevin and I got to release him back where we found him, the next late Spring!  We were amazed and more than a little thankful to this great vet, who was willing to try a new treatment!

Anne in Toronto

Amazing what a little crazy glue can do. Great story and rescue Anne!

October 1 update: Owl trapped in Chimney for 2 weeks

On October 1 Dr. Miranda sutured up the wounds on the owl’s wings.  According to Dr. Kelly, the owl is doing well, eating well, and has a great attitude.  The vet team found no injuries to the owl’s eyes.  The owl was moved to one of the Center’s outdoor recovery and rehabilitation enclosures on October 5 — a less stressful setting for the owl.  The veterinary and rehabilitation staff will be watching to see if the owl regains weight lost during its time in the chimney.
October 14 update

The owl continues to do well, however, his carpal wounds are proving to be difficult to treat.  Because these injuries are on the parts of the owl’s wings that stretch and move, the sutures that Dr. Miranda originally used to keep the wounds closed have popped open.  The veterinary team has changed their wound management process recently to encourage more tissue to grow over the injured area.  Great-horned Owl #10-2051 continues to put on weight, though staff expect him to gain more with his extra dinner portions.
October 20 update

On Monday, October 18th, the veterinary team decided to stop daily wound treatments and instead are providing treatments every other day.  The wound on the right carpus continues to heal more quickly than the left.  Because the Great-horned Owl won’t be handled quite as often, the staff moved the bird to a larger flight pen so that it can begin to build muscle mass.  When released into the pen, the owl made a couple of flights down the length of the pen and was able to sustain altitude to land on the perches.
November 2 update

On November 1st, the WCV veterinary team checked on Great-horned Owl #10-2051’s carpal wounds during outdoor rounds.  The wounds on both wings are healing well, and while the vets will continue to monitor the wounds and apply A&D ointment, they will now do this procedure every three days.  While the owl has been flying back and forth in his flight pen on his own, he will begin his official exercise program today.  This means that the rehabilitation staff will be making this bird fly back and forth several times while monitoring his progress.  Over the next couple of weeks, the goal will be to have the owl fly more and more “laps” in the flight pen while increasing his endurance.
November 9 update

The owl continues to make great progress and has now passed “mouse school” — demonstrating that it is able to hunt successfully.  Center veterinarians have now cleared this Great Horned Owl for release.  Outreach Director Amanda Nicholson is now working to pin down a release site close to the place where this owl was originally rescued.  A November 2010 release is likely — possibly as early as the week of November 15.

 :thumbsup:

That is such good news about the owl.... :happy:

Good news about this Owl.

King George Bald Eagle: Pox Case?

PATIENT:  Bald Eagle, #10-2220

LOCATION OF RESCUE:  King George County, Virginia

CAUSE OF ADMISSION:   Avian pox?

ADMISSION DATE:  November 21, 2010

PROGNOSIS:  Guarded

On November 20 Joyce Hall, a resident of King George County, spotted a large juvenile Bald Eagle, on the ground and unable to fly, on her driveway.    The eagle was captured and taken to licensed wildlife rehabilitator Diana O’Connor, who stabilized and housed the bird overnight.    On November 21 Ms. Hall drove the eagle to the Wildlife Center.

IMG_1261On admission, the eagle — the 21st Bald Eagle admitted for treatment thus far in 2010 — was assigned Patient # 10-2220.  The bird, a very large juvenile and likely a female, was thin and has lesions around its eyes, beak, and feet — lesions consistent with Avian Pox.  [Additional background information on Avian Pox].  Radiographs were taken and the vets found no fractures; the bird is otherwise bright and feisty.

The Bald Eagle is currently being housed in the Center’s isolation ward, in a special unit purchased through the financial support of  fans of Buddy, the Norfolk Botanical Garden Bald Eagle admitted in 2008 with Avian Pox.   pox feet

There is no “cure” for Avian Pox — treatment generally involves providing supportive care until the patient’s immune system can respond to the infection.  Eagle #10-2220 is receiving vitamin supplements, an anti-lice medication, and antibiotics [to minimize secondary infections].  The lesions on its feet have been scrubbed and treated with a topical antibiotic cream. 

Another sad case. Hope she heals.

November 2 update

On November 1st, the WCV veterinary team checked on Great-horned Owl #10-2051’s carpal wounds during outdoor rounds.  The wounds on both wings are healing well, and while the vets will continue to monitor the wounds and apply A&D ointment, they will now do this procedure every three days.  While the owl has been flying back and forth in his flight pen on his own, he will begin his official exercise program today.  This means that the rehabilitation staff will be making this bird fly back and forth several times while monitoring his progress.  Over the next couple of weeks, the goal will be to have the owl fly more and more “laps” in the flight pen while increasing his endurance.
November 9 update

The owl continues to make great progress and has now passed “mouse school” — demonstrating that it is able to hunt successfully.  Center veterinarians have now cleared this Great Horned Owl for release.  Outreach Director Amanda Nicholson is now working to pin down a release site close to the place where this owl was originally rescued.  A November 2010 release is likely — possibly as early as the week of November 15.
November 19 update

On Monday November 15, both staff wildlife rehabilitators noticed that the Great Horned Owl was flying loudly, and with more effort.   Since Great Horned Owls need to fly entirely silently to able to hunt their prey (which this owl was doing beautifully last week), this is a cause for concern.  It appears as though the bird broke several of its tail feathers over the course of the weekend, which could cause it to fly with additional effort.  Further examination is needed to determine if anything else is affecting the owl before release is considered; radigraphs are scheduled for Monday, November 22.
November 22 update

On Monday, November 22, Dr. Miranda examined the Great Horned Owl to determine whether any additional problems were inhibiting the owl’s smooth and silent flight.  During the course of the physical examination, she found that the owl’s right carpus was swollen.  Radiographs confirmed a soft tissue swelling around the bird’s “wrist”, but fortunately did not show any changes to the bones.  The bird has been started on a one week course of anti-inflammatories to see if any improvement is made and exercise has been temporarily discontinued.  The owl will be reassessed on November 29.  :clap:

 goodnews: :yes:  Thanks for the update Donna! ;D

Ferdinand: 2008-2010

Ferdinand (Virginia Opossum)
September 2008–November 21, 2010

FerdinandThe Wildlife Center is sad to announce that Ferdinand, a Virginia Opossum and a key member of the Center’s team of environmental education  ambassadors,  passed away last week.

Ferdinand came to the Wildlife Center in September of 2008 after he was rescued from the side of the road in Blacksburg, Virginia.  At the time, he was only a few months old, and he then lived with his rescuers for about a month before coming to the Wildlife Center.  He had originally suffered a broken right leg, which left the leg shortened; he was also too tame to be released back into the wild. 

 Ferdinand appeared at his first education program at the end of October 2008.  Since then he participated in 171 environmental education programs and met more than 19,000 people.  His final appearance, a “Home, Sweet Habitat” program, was on the November 3, 2010 at Central Elementary in Palmyra, Virginia.

Ferdinand was always very active and curious, and usually wasn’t content to just sit in his handler’s arms during programs.  This active and engaging behavior easiFerdinand rubbingly charmed his audiences, riveting their attention.  His high energy was evident in his enclosure as well, and groups visiting the Center often enjoyed watching him climb on his specially built feeding platform.  Ferdinand would often “click” at his handlers and caretakers; this clicking sound is used in the wild to communicate with other opossums, whether to attract a mate or keep track of young.  He would also mark his territory by licking and rubbing his cheek on objects he considered his — a climbing log, a food dish, or his handler’s gloves.

 Ferdinand and his ability to charm children and adults alike will be sadly missed.

Ferdinand

December 3 update from Dr. Miranda

The Peregrine Falcon was taken to Virginia Tech yesterday to see Dr. Phil Pickett and the news was encouraging.  Her left eye is stable (the one that just had a couple of scars present, which are old and stable).  The right eye is healing well and the area of reattachment is shrinking (just like a scar on your hand would as it heals).  Her foveas (the areas of focus) are present in both eyes and are intact and free of injury. Dr. Pickett is optimistic about this and sees nothing about her eyes that would impair her release. Dec 2 optho visit

Of course, we’re not completely out of the woods yet.  We still need to exercise the peregrine to test her flight and ensure that she can make a complete recovery from her shoulder injury.  Within the next couple of weeks we will creance her–which is taking her into a field on a fishing line and flying her–to give her the best exercise possible.  This will also allow us to make a thorough assessment of her flight to determine if she is releasable.     

Sounds like good news for this girl!

   :thumbsup:

 goodnews:  Awww, look at her cute little tongue!   :tease: :blindfold: :frog: :harhar: :P

This is great news!  Thanks for sharing Donna.   :clap: :thumbsup:

Yes! Yes!  Yes!!!!

I am thrilled about this!  She is so adorable  :wub:..she looks like she is smiling in that picture! She knows she is being taken care of and is among friends.

 :clap:

 :christree:

That little tongue is so cute!  :P

I am happy for the pf but sad for little Ferdinand.

So am I and also that sick little eagle :-(
:(

December 14 update 

On December 9, the Peregrine Falcon was brought into the clinic for follow-up radiographs.  Dr. Miranda reported that the bird’s right coracoid continues to heal well.

For the past week, the rehabilitation staff has been exercising the peregrine daily.  The bird has been showing great progress in increasing stamina and in her ability to maneuver around obstacles.  The Peregrine Falcon has been showing so much progress that the veterinary team began looking for other ways to condition her and evaluate her flight.   

Dr. Dave McRuer contacted local falconers to see if they would be interested in training the peregrine using falconry techniques. The Wildlife Center is hoping this training strategy will better condition the bird through intense exercise and test the bird’s eye sight and wings as it attempts to capture artificial lures while in flight.

On Monday, December 13, the Peregrine Falcon was transferred to two experienced local falconers – Eva and Andrew King.  At first, the falconers will work with the peregrine indoors with food to establish trust and safety.  They will feed her only during these training sessions while the bird wears jesses and a leash.  At first the distance between bird and falconer will be small; over the course of days to weeks the distance will be increased so that the bird has to fly to the falconer to get food.

Once trust is established and the Peregrine Falcon is successfully flying to each falconer to eat, the training session will be moved outdoors, with the peregrine still on a leash.  Ultimately, the goal is to unleash the falcon so that it can fly freely in the field while still returning to the falconers for food.  While there is always the risk that the peregrine will fly away during these “off-leash” times, the bird’s motivation for food and the known safety associated with the glove will likely bring the bird back to the glove.  This technique has been used by falconers with birds of prey for centuries.

When the bird is routinely flying and  returning to the glove, Eva and Andrew will attach food to a lure; the lure will be moved through the air so that the bird can wheel and dive to catch its food.  This free-flight outdoors will improve the bird’s stamina, build muscle and test the healed shoulder  through repeated stoops, tight turns and lengthy flights — key elements of a peregrine’s survival skills.   

If the Peregrine Falcon passes these  “tests”, she will be ready for release back into the wild.  Falconers routinely train and keep birds of prey for a short time and then return them to the wild, without “imprinting” or other behavioral modification.  The Center believes that this approach provides the best opportunity to build up the falcon’s stamina and to ensure that she will be able to survive, and thrive, in the wild.

Wildlife Center staff is very excited to explore this new relationship with Eva and Andrew.  This process will likely take weeks to months.  Stay tuned for more updates on how this Peregrine Falcon is progressing.

The Wildlife Center depends on the donations of caring individuals for the health care provided to this Peregrine Falcon – and to about 2,500 wild animals in need each year.  Please help!
About Peregrine Falcons

The Peregrine Falcon is a native species to Virginia, once nesting in the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains.  By the early 1960s, the falcon was believed to be extinct as a breeding species in Virginia and all areas east of the Mississippi River — a decline linked to the widespread use of DDT and other chemicals.  A program of peregrine reintroduction began in Virginia in 1978.  There are now about 20 known breeding paris of peregrines in Virginia.

The name “peregrine” derives from the Latin word for “wanderer”.  Some falcons that nest in the tundra of northern Canada winter in South America and travel more than 15,000 miles in a single year.  “Island Girl“, a Peregrine Falcon currently being tracked by the Falcon Research Group, left her nesting range on Baffin Island on September 21 and on November 5 was in northern Chile — nearing the end of her migration.   

 goodnews:  Fingers crossed for this girl!   :2thumbsup:

I "second that" MAK !!!  I want to see her fly free again :happy:


 :christree: