Its as if winter has turned to spring! We are enjoying a welcome, if only temporary, reprieve from the cold weather. Admissions for the week included a Horned Lark, two Bald Eagles and a Barn Owl. Horned Lark 24-009 had compound fractures in the right radius and ulna and damage to the right shoulder. The damage was too extensive to repair and the bird was euthanized.

Bald Eagle 24-010 is being treated for ingested lead toxicity and is responding well. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize our lead test kits were expired so we do not know what the eagle’s lead level was on admission. Sadly, almost all adult eagles are admitted with toxic amounts of lead in their blood. We will  test a blood sample collected at admission and another one taken when the test kits arrive. The first course of chelation has been completed. We will wait to see if a second course of chelation is required. We estimate the eagle is a fifth year bird as it has only a few dark feathers on a mostly white head. 

Bald Eagle 24-011 was found in a road and is thought to have been struck by a vehicle. She is larger and younger than 24-010. She does not appear to have any fractures, although there are some abrasions on her left wing. We will take radiographs of both eagles this coming week.

Barn Owl 24-013 was struck by a vehicle and has multiple fractures in his left wing. The wing has been immobilized and now we will apply tincture of time!