On Halloween, this female young adult bald eagle was transferred to the clinic from the Illinois Raptor Center after being hit by a car.
Initial examination showed an open fracture and additional radiographs indicated both major and minor metacarpals (similar to the bones of your palm) were involved.
The wound needed to be debrided, meaning that debris and contaminated tissue were removed while the patient was anesthetized, before placing a splint to allow the fractures to heal. Dr. Reich also placed some antibiotic beads in the wound before it was sutured closed to locally fight any infection that may have occurred while the ends of the bone were exposed.
As of now, the wound is healing beautifully and a callus appears to be forming appropriately over the fractured bones- great job team!
