Eastern Screech-Owl #14-2281

Species Name (EN): 
Species Name (LA): 
Admission Date: 
October 21, 2014
Release Date: 
December 29, 2014
Location of Rescue: 
Russell County, Virginia
Cause of Admission / Condition: 
Hit by truck
Prognosis: 
Outcome: 
Patient Status: 
Patient Archive
Released

On October 21, an adult Eastern Screech-Owl was seen falling to the side of the road after it was struck by a semi-truck. A driver stopped and transported the injured owl to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center where it was given fluids, anti-inflamitories, and supportive care. On October 24, the owl was transferred to the Wildlife Center of Virginia for further care.

During the initial examination, Eastern Screech-Owl #14-2281 was bright, feisty, and in good body condition. An ocular exam was performed and results were unremarkable. The veterinary team noted a left wing droop and a small, superficial laceration on the bird’s cere [base of the upper beak]. Blood was drawn for analysis and results revealed a low packed cell volume, which indicates anemia—likely due to the laceration on the bird’s beak. When the left wing was palpated, severe swelling was observed near the owl’s elbow joint. Radiographs were taken and revealed an ulnar fracture. Since the location of the fracture was close to the elbow joint, surgery was not an option.

The veterinary staff bandaged the owl’s wing, administered an iron injection for the bird’s anemia, and placed the bird in the Center’s holding room overnight. The following morning, Eastern Screech Owl #14-2281 was bright, alert, and standing in its carrier.

During the next two weeks, the veterinary team regularly checked and changed the owl’s bandaged wing, while also performing daily physical therapy. On November 12, radiographs indicated the fracture site was healing well and was stable. The veterinary staff removed the owl’s bandage and Eastern Screech-Owl #14-2281 was moved outside to the Center’s B pens [B7]. Repeat radiographs are scheduled in one week, and if a stable callus is noted at the fracture site, the owl will begin flight conditioning.

Your special donation will help the Center to provide care to this Eastern Screech-Owl ... and to the 2,600 sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals the Center will treat this year. Please help!

Updates

December 31, 2014

During the last weeks of December, Eastern Screech-Owl #14-2281 has been flying well and maintaining good height during flight conditioning sessions. On December 19, the owl began live-prey testing and successfully captured its prey the following five nights. Blood was drawn for a pre-release blood panel on December 28; results were unremarkable. The owl was cleared for release and transported to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center for release later that day.

December 16, 2014

On November 19, the veterinary staff took another set of radiographs of Eastern Screech-Owl #14-2281. Radiographs revealed that the fracture site was healing well and a stable callus was on the fractured wing. The bandage was removed and the owl was cleared to begin flight conditioning.

Intake radiograph (left) November 19 radiograph (right)
 

During the initial exercise sessions, the bird flew poorly and was unable to gain height. The rehabilitation staff continued the owl’s flight conditioning and Eastern Screech-Owl #14-2281 began to improve. The owl is now flying silently, maneuvering well, and completing more passes in the B-Pens’ flight yard. Despite the bird’s progress during exercise sessions, the bird continues to have difficulty maintaining height. Once Eastern Screech-Owl #14-2281 is consistently able to fly at higher heights and reaches optimal flying level [15 passes from end to end], it will start live-prey testing.
 

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