It arrived around 11am and I immediately headed to Magnolia Grove for x-rays. As you can see in the area I circled on the trunk x-ray, the head of the femur appears to be disintegrated, and Richie also noticed nodules in the chest. His diagnosis was cancer or some other metabolic condition. Based on severely frayed tail feathers and emaciation (keel 2, for those who know the chart), we agreed the bird had been down a while. Richie's recommendation was euthanasia but we agreed that since the carcass would have to be sent to UGA anyway, it would be easier to transport a live bird than to try and keep a carcass refrigerated for transport. I discussed this with DNR's Bob Sargent, head of the eagles program, who agreed with our plan. I also forwarded the x-rays to the vet at UGA who would be seeing the bird, and he informed Bob that he agreed with Richie’s diagnosis; there was nothing he could do for the bird, either.
Meanwhile, the stressy, emaciated Coop from last week didn’t survive; he died last Sunday night.
A second Coop, about the same age, came in from another county, even more emaciated than the first, but part of his issue was that he’d been grounded for at least three days before his finders decided since he wasn’t moving along, he might need help. I didn’t expect him to survive the night, but the next morning he was standing, head tucked in sleep—and he willingly self-fed on the small meals I offered and was perching by that evening. I had high hopes he’d be fine, but he died his second night at LWR. Sometimes they’re just too far gone, even when they seem to be improving...