The Week in Review
Just two birds were admitted this past week, a Golden Eagle and a Bald Eagle. Golden Eagle 21-021 was found next to a coyote carcass near La Grande, OR exhibiting classic signs of lead poisoning, clenched feet and unable to stand. ODFW and volunteer Colleen helped transport the eagle and the coyote to Pendleton. The eagle's blood lead level was 95.9 mcg/dl as measured by LeadCare II. Exam and radiographs of the coyote found that it had been shot and then heavily scavenged.
Chelation therapy was immediately started using Calcium EDTA and Dimercapto Succinate Suspension. The eagle was the third bird we have used this combination of drugs on. Like the first two, the response was immediate. The eagle’s lead level dropped to 48 mcg/dl after just two treatments on the day of admission. Unfortunately, the drugs only remove lead in the blood. They do not reach lead in other tissues like kidney, liver or brain. The eagle died the following morning before we could administer a third treatment.
Secondary poisoning of non-target species is often the result of hunting with lead ammunition. Scavengers, like eagles and other raptors, feed on the carcasses of animals shot with lead ammunition, ingesting the lead. Hunting with non-lead ammunition will prevent secondary poisoning. For more information visit Hunting with non-lead
Bald Eagle 21-023 had extensive, non-repairable damage to his left elbow. Euthanasia was the only humane option.
House Finch 21-007
This 18 gram House Finch seems be well on his way to recovery from a broken leg. A splint was applied to his right leg on 1/13/21, the day of admission. When the splint was removed on 1/25/2021 the fracture wasn’t healed. A second splint was applied made from a telfa pad, a strip of styrofoam, card stock, and superglue and two skin staples to help hold the contraption together (the staples are visible in the x-ray). When the second splint was removed on 2/1/2021, the leg was stable. He’s now flying well and using the leg better each day.
Although it will be some time before it is in use, we are setting up the new outdoor classroom. The Wingspan Banner now has a permanent home!
