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 EagleOn 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 BobcatAfter 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/ Great Horned Owl Rescue, trapped in chimney for 2 weeks.
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