Presentation to the Wildlife Medical Clinic
Bright and early on a Sunday morning, a good Samaritan made an over hour long drive to bring an injured Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus, to the WMC. The owl was reportedly found sitting on the highway the night before and was secured in a cardboard box until admission. On triage exam, the owl was found to be standing abnormally on the hock joints instead of perching on both feet but was otherwise bright, alert, and responsive. Upon further examination, it was found the abnormal stance was likely due to severe bruising, swelling, and abrasions to both feet and the left hock. The patient was reactive on examination of the left wing and dark purple bruising was noted at both elbows and the left carpal (wrist) joint. The owl’s eyelids were sunburnt and oddly, all the tail feathers were missing without any sign of trauma to the area. Ocular examination noted hyperpigmentation (darkening) on the ventral aspect of both eyes but no sign of active vitreal hemorrhage (bleeding in the eye) apparent. The owl was also quite well conditioned and was assigned a three out of five score, which is a good body condition score.
After examination, the patient was provided warm fluids, anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications to help with pain, and the injuries over both feet and hock were thoroughly cleaned. Though no fractures were palpated in the wings or feet, examiners wanted to ensure the patient was as comfortable as possible and did not suffer further injury in case a fracture was missed, so the left wing was secured in a figure 8 bandage and the patient’s enclosure was lined with thick fleece until a veterinarian was able to confirm the exam findings and radiographs could be completed. Bloodwork was completed and all findings were within normal limits.
Veterinary Exam, Radiographs, & Ongoing Treatment
Upon veterinary exam, much of the soft tissue damage to the feet had resolved, but bruising to the left carpi and both elbows were still present. Examination and radiographs confirmed there were no orthopedic abnormalities, despite the presumed traumatic event this owl had endured. Subcutaneous emphysema (air under the skin) was noted bilaterally on the flanks (sides) and ventrum (abdomen) but was not severe enough to impair respiratory function. This was one lucky owl! It was decided then to provide supportive care until the soft tissue damage resolved and this patient could be transferred to a long term facility to regrow the rectrices (tail feathers).
During this time, we were also able to age the owl using a Wood’s Lamp. Owl feathers, when they first grow in, contain porphyrins that fluoresce pink under UV light. As the feather is exposed to sunlight and ages, those porphyrins fade, leading to less pink fluorescence under UV light. Owls do not grow new feathers every year, except for their first set of feathers when they are nestlings. Given all feathers did not fluoresce the same hue, it can be inferred that the owl has lived long enough to go through at least one molt of adult feathers, indicating it is at least one year old, a true adult.
For supportive care, the patient continued anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications that were given in a food item during feeding. Treatment teams were instructed to monitor the patient’s mentation, ambulation, and for any injury to the carpal joints. We can also place padded bandages to the carpal area of the wing, called carpal bumpers, to give added protection to that area while the bird is housed in our hospital caging to help avoid further damage to the carpal joints. This was done in addition to fleece padding being added around the enclosure perimeters until the patient was approved to move out into our flight cage.
Reconditioning & Transfer to another Licensed Rehabilitator
When moved out to the flight cages, the patient was placed on the floor to observe flight capability. The owl was able to fly to the nearest perch with significant lift, so it was noted on track for reconditioning.
After ten days in care, this owl was successfully transferred to another licensed rehabilitator to continue flight reconditioning and give it time to grow back all its tail feathers. Prognosis for feather regrowth is fair to guarded given there may be damage to the underlying follicles when they are traumatically plucked, but only time will tell. We are hopeful that this individual will make a full recovery and be released back into the wild.
Written By: Toni, Class of 2027
