On October 31, Bald Eagle #16-2377 was admitted to the Wildlife Center after it was found unable to fly in a residential area of Stafford County. During the initial exam, the eagle was bright, alert, and responsive, but was found to have a variety of physical injuries.
A large number of abrasions and puncture wounds were found on the bird’s toes, feet, ankles, and right eye. Significant swelling was noted throughout the left leg, and contusions were discovered along the right wing. The bruises appeared green in color, leading veterinary staff to believe they are more than five days old.
Crepitus -- a grating sound caused by either the friction between bone and cartilage or the fractured parts of a bone – was identified while moving the eagle’s right hip and left shoulder joints, and nearly all of the other joints were stiff. Radiographs showed small gaseous tracks in the soft tissue surrounding the bird’s left leg, indicating infection of the wound, but no other abnormalities were seen. Since no signs of internal injuries were seen, Dr. Ernesto believes that the eagle’s cuts and bruises may be from a fight with another animal, while its stiff and painful joints are due to old age rather than physical trauma.
Unfortunately, emergency blood work revealed lead levels as “high”; Dr. Ernesto explained that this indicates the actual number is too large to be properly read by the Center's machine. The eagle began chelation therapy right away, and will have more blood testing done after five days.
The eagle will be watched very carefully for further clinical signs of lead toxicity such as kidney damage, blindness, gastrointestinal irritation, and heart murmurs during the coming week. The prognosis for this bald eagle is poor to grave due to wound infection and high levels of lead in the blood.
Your special donation will help the Center to provide care to this Bald Eagle ... and to the 2,500 sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals the Center will treat this year.