It was, overall, a pretty darn good week for wildlife at LWR. After several less-than-stellar weeks, a week with no euthanasias and only one DOA was a nice reprieve.
First, the minor miracle: if you’ll recall, since mid-January the long-shot barred owl has been patiently (more or less) on cage rest, waiting to see if that badly displaced wing fracture would heal. He was one of three birds to visit Smalley’s this week for x-rays, and while there’s still some healing to do, vet Peggy Hobby and I were both pleasantly surprised at his follow-up x-ray. A callus is forming nicely, and it looks as if the muscles succeeded in pulling the bones back pretty close together. There’s another fracture near the wrist that isn’t as healed and probably won’t heal as well, but given the results of the humerus fracture, Peggy and I agreed a few more weeks wouldn’t hurt. He may still not heal for flight, but it’s worth the extra time to see what happens. As Peggy said, “Isn’t the body amazing?!”
Below are the barred’s x-rays from January and from March 1.
First, the minor miracle: if you’ll recall, since mid-January the long-shot barred owl has been patiently (more or less) on cage rest, waiting to see if that badly displaced wing fracture would heal. He was one of three birds to visit Smalley’s this week for x-rays, and while there’s still some healing to do, vet Peggy Hobby and I were both pleasantly surprised at his follow-up x-ray. A callus is forming nicely, and it looks as if the muscles succeeded in pulling the bones back pretty close together. There’s another fracture near the wrist that isn’t as healed and probably won’t heal as well, but given the results of the humerus fracture, Peggy and I agreed a few more weeks wouldn’t hurt. He may still not heal for flight, but it’s worth the extra time to see what happens. As Peggy said, “Isn’t the body amazing?!”
Below are the barred’s x-rays from January and from March 1.
Jan. 17, 2019
March 1, 2019
Unfortunately, the great horned owl who came in severely emaciated and lethargic wasn’t as lucky. He never opened his eyes after intake and struggled to swallow. He died overnight.
This late second-year red tail was found on the interstate. Although he didn’t appear to have any injuries aside from a concussion, I wanted X-rays to confirm that. I was pretty sure when he busted out of his box twice the afternoon before his vet visit, but still…X-rays are always best. The X-rays were clear but I’m guessing he has a slightly strained muscle on his right wing; it looked as if he’d picked at it after intake. After the small hot spot he’d created was treated, he went into the raptor flight, where he thus far seems to prefer the ground, although I know he can fly. I startled him when checking to see if he’d eaten his mice, and he flew beautifully. He’s not above a nice threat display, though.
And rounding out the week, we have a gorgeous little male red-phase screech owl. He was found in the road in a neighboring county. It’s sometimes hard to tell male from female screeches if they’re not side by side for size comparison, but this wee man is small enough that I’m positive he’s male. He was really concussed and shocky on intake and it was obvious his right wing was fractured at the elbow—it felt like right in the joint. X-rays confirmed this, and while the joint may freeze when it heals, Peggy and I decided it was worth giving him time to see. Meanwhile, he’s starting to act more like a screech, giving me his best stinkeye just 48 hours after intake…Gotta love that screech attitude!
I circled the fracture, as it's not real obvious if you don't look closely.
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