As you may recall, the red-tailed hawk with the wing fracture was slated for surgery last week. We all knew going into the surgery, which was postponed until Friday, that there was only a slim chance it would be successful, but we were hoping for a miracle.
Unfortunately, the miracle didn’t materialize; instead, we found that there was no way to repair the wing. Richie Hatcher of Smalley’s Animal Hospital had consulted avian surgeons for their best practices; he and Jim and Peggy Hobby had discussed the procedure…but in the end, there was nothing that could be done to fix the damage, which we all agreed looked more like someone had grabbed her wing and snapped it than like a collision with a vehicle.
Two hours in, we all realized there was no hope of repairing the wing even enough to allow her to hold it level, so that it didn’t drag and get caught on the perch. Richie and I had agreed before the surgery that if we saw it wasn’t going to work, we’d call it and just put her down on the table.
At least for the last two weeks of her life she ate well and wasn’t abused; there’s some small comfort in that.
Unfortunately, the miracle didn’t materialize; instead, we found that there was no way to repair the wing. Richie Hatcher of Smalley’s Animal Hospital had consulted avian surgeons for their best practices; he and Jim and Peggy Hobby had discussed the procedure…but in the end, there was nothing that could be done to fix the damage, which we all agreed looked more like someone had grabbed her wing and snapped it than like a collision with a vehicle.
Two hours in, we all realized there was no hope of repairing the wing even enough to allow her to hold it level, so that it didn’t drag and get caught on the perch. Richie and I had agreed before the surgery that if we saw it wasn’t going to work, we’d call it and just put her down on the table.
At least for the last two weeks of her life she ate well and wasn’t abused; there’s some small comfort in that.
Vet Richie Hatcher and vet tech Autumn Parker during the red tail's surgery.
Vets Jim Hobby and Richie Hatcher discuss options.
Lending truth to the old adage, “Nature abhors a vacuum,” the day after we lost the red tail, game warden Dan Stiles called to see if I could take a hit-by-car screech owl. He was on his way to pick it up and if the damage wasn’t so severe as to require immediate euthanasia, he’d bring the screech to me.
Of course, I always have room for one more screech!
The new arrival had been hit by a state trooper Friday night but he couldn’t find the bird in the brush by the road in the dark. He went back the next day and found the screech not far from where he’d hit it, and he called Dan. Kudos to Trooper Robert Sawyer for being conscientious enough to go back and locate the bird and then seek help.
His right eye is swollen and has a bit of blood in the corner; his beak looks like it has a small crack; he’s still “concussy” and reluctant to open either eye. But he’s alert enough to click that beak in threat, and he did eat most of a small mouse last night, so after one of the vets at Smalley’s examines the right eye to check for retinal damage, this guy should be good to go in a few days.
Of course, I always have room for one more screech!
The new arrival had been hit by a state trooper Friday night but he couldn’t find the bird in the brush by the road in the dark. He went back the next day and found the screech not far from where he’d hit it, and he called Dan. Kudos to Trooper Robert Sawyer for being conscientious enough to go back and locate the bird and then seek help.
His right eye is swollen and has a bit of blood in the corner; his beak looks like it has a small crack; he’s still “concussy” and reluctant to open either eye. But he’s alert enough to click that beak in threat, and he did eat most of a small mouse last night, so after one of the vets at Smalley’s examines the right eye to check for retinal damage, this guy should be good to go in a few days.
Above photos are from yesterday; below are photos from today.
And speaking of good to go, the good-to-go screech trio is still awaiting release…I swear I think they’re manipulating the weather to preclude their release! We’re aiming at a release this week, though, as the temps are supposed to be moderate and the rain chances low. Fingers crossed!
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