Check out the College of Veterinary Medicine’s blog post below. Dr. Lewis, Director of the Wildlife Medical Clinic, discusses highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and the risks it poses to you and your pets.
Wildlife Medical Clinic has successfully closed our 2024 chapter and opened our door to 2025. We are grateful for the support from our community, professional colleagues, fellow wildlife rehabilitators, student volunteers, and generous donors. With the collective force from everyone, we were able to provide the best possible care to the injured and orphaned wildlife we received. Without a doubt, our New Year resolution is to continue making a difference by providing excellent medical care for our current and future patients.
Thank you all for your continued support of our clinic and the work that our wonderful team does every day to care for all these critters! We are excited about the new opportunities ahead and we will continue to provide care and services to our local wildlife with great passion.
Cheers to continuing to make a difference in the lives of Illinois wildlife in 2025!
Written By: Maddie, Class of 2028
Juvenile red-tailed hawk 24-2042 arrived on September 14 with an ulnar (wing) fracture and ocular (eye) trauma. We provided pain relief medications, topical eye drops, and managed the ulnar fracture with a figure-8 bandage. Once healed, this patient was conditioned for release through a process called creancing.
Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP) is unfortunately a common type of metabolic bone disease that can occur in any animal but is most often seen in reptiles and amphibians. This condition most often occurs in captivity when an animal is not receiving the proper husbandry. NSHP can occur when the animal’s diet does not have enough calcium, or vitamin D3, or in the case of many reptiles when they do not receive enough UVB (ultraviolet B) light. Vitamin D3 is required by the body for calcium absorption, so as a result the parathyroid gland, which is found in the neck with the thyroid, begins to produce more parathyroid hormone (PTH). The primary function of the parathyroid gland is to tightly maintain calcium levels and keep them balanced. As a result of the decreased calcium and lack of vitamin D3 the secreted PTH stimulates osteoclasts in the bones, where most calcium is found, to begin resorbing the bones breaking them down causing the calcium to be released back into the bloodstream. Calcium is extremely important throughout the body where it is required for nerve transmission, muscle function, blood clotting and a multitude of other vital bodily functions. While the calcium needs to be in the blood it does so at the expense of the bones.
When the bones are broken down to provide calcium it causes them to lose density making them more susceptible to injury. Additionally, there are developmental deficiencies associated with growth that can occur too. All of these make the lives of animals very difficult. NSHP is not as prevalent in the wild, because the animals tend to get enough sun and eat a proper diet. There are two main reasons we see this, first is when people have a pet and they don’t do proper research on housing and diet requirements and therefore don’t meet the needs of their pet. The second reason we see this is due to well-meaning individuals finding wildlife and then proceeding to care for them or keep them in captivity instead of bringing them to a licensed rehabilitator. Wildlife requires specialized diets and housing that are hard to meet in captivity and while people try their best, they often fail to meet the needs of these animals and don’t realize that for most wildlife, permits are needed to care for them, so keeping them in captivity is actually illegal if you don’t possess the proper permits. To further illustrate the effects of NSHP, we will review two cases we have recently seen in the Wildlife Medical Clinic.
On September 9, 2024, we received a juvenile male Virginia opossum that a finder found in their yard struggling to walk. Upon exam he struggled to walk and lacked coordination in his back legs. Additionally, his face was swollen and asymmetrical. Due to the possible orthopedic issue and significance of ataxia we opted to take radiographs.
The radiographs showed that the opossum had a decrease in bone density, and severe malformations of the long bones primarily at the femoral head which is the part of the femur that connects to the hip. They were so degenerated that they appeared to be absent. All the joints appeared to be affected in some way, but that was the most notable location. These changes to the bones and the facial asymmetry led to our diagnosis of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. Our belief is that he was kept as a pet for a significant amount of time when he was younger by someone who did not have the proper knowledge or credentials and then he was released. He also had a very high body condition score indicating he ate well, which would not have been possible on his own, in the wild, due to his musculoskeletal abnormalities. Even though he ate well, he did not receive the proper nutrients needed for bone formation and maintenance. Unfortunately, due to the severity of the malformations and the fact that multiple joints were affected the most compassionate care we could provide was humane euthanasia. He likely had arthritis, which is painful and overall had a poor prognosis for surviving in the wild as the damage done was irreversible.
While the Virginia opossum did not have the outcome we hoped for, our next patient, a common snapping turtle, has a more positive outcome. On November 11, 2023, we received a juvenile male common snapping turtle after it was found abandoned in a vacated apartment where he was owned for around two years. He was found dry docked and severely dehydrated. Upon physical exam he was severely dehydrated, his shell appeared too small for his body and was soft and flat. Additionally, he had signs of stunted growth. All of this points to NSHP, primarily the softening of the shell and stunted growth.
This was confirmed through radiographs, which showed decreased bone density and stunted growth Fortunately, unlike the opossum the damage was reversible. He was put on a proper diet along with consistent UVB and heat and now just over a year later he has grown a considerable amount and his body condition has greatly improved. While this is great news, he still is not releasable due to his friendly nature. Because of the time he spent in captivity, he is habituated to people. We have been working on finding him a permanent home and have received interest from an out of state nature center. However, if for some reason this home doesn’t work out, we will keep looking.
These two cases illustrate the importance of nutrition and proper care for animals. If you want to own a pet, make sure you do the proper research and have everything set up and ready for them before you bring them home. Picking out a pet should not just be done on a whim. They are living creatures that require care and work. The snapping turtle shows the importance of doing research and being committed to owning a pet. Obviously, we don’t know the circumstances of his abandonment, but this is unfortunately an all too common occurrence when it comes to reptiles. Reptiles are unique in their dietary and husbandry needs, which need to be known by the owner, or else serious health issues like metabolic diseases can arise. The case of the Virginia opossum illustrates the importance of knowing who to contact, and only taking care of wildlife if you have the proper knowledge, credentials, and permits. The WMC is built on the idea of us working with the public to better the quality of life for wildlife. If you see an animal that you think needs help, don’t try to keep it and care for it on your own, because it can put you and the animal in danger. Contact a licensed rehabilitator or reach out to the Wildlife Medical Clinic and we can help provide guidance on what to do and who to contact. We hope these cases illustrated how important animal nutrition and husbandry is, why it is best to leave wildlife in the wild, and if help is needed to please contact a licensed rehabilitator.
Written By: Dylan, Class of 2026
While the patients presenting to the Wildlife Medical Clinic are typically injured or ill in some shape or form, we do sometimes receive patients that are clinically healthy. This was the case for a juvenile red-tailed hawk who was brought to the clinic on October 3, 2024. This hawk, patient number 24-2154, was brought in after it was found by the side of the road, unable to fly. The finder noted that the hawk still wasn’t moving but seemed to be improving during the drive to the clinic. When we did our initial physical exam on the hawk, everything looked normal, with no signs of any wounds or fractures that might have contributed to its inability to fly. The only thing we found was that the hawk had a very large and full crop. Why would a full crop cause this hawk to not be able to fly? Let’s take a brief look at the anatomy of a bird’s digestive tract to find out why.
Birds have a slightly different digestive system than mammals do, especially when it comes to their esophagus and stomach. In general, food will pass from the mouth through the esophagus and its associated crop before entering the two-part stomach and then moving into the intestines. The crop is an out-pouching of the esophagus that is used as a temporary storage location for food. This is an important feature for birds who need to regurgitate their food to feed their young. The storage capacity of the crop is also helpful for birds that want to quickly grab a meal and then move to a safer place to digest it. The stomach of birds is divided into the proventriculus and ventriculus. The first portion, the proventriculus, contains cells that secrete mucus and glands that secrete digestive enzymes and gastric acid. The acidic environment here is especially important for partially digesting bone from the diet, which is an important source of calcium for carnivores. The second portion of the stomach is the ventriculus, which is also known as the gizzard. This portion of the stomach is thicker and more muscular than the proventriculus, and it helps to break down the food into smaller pieces. Many birds will ingest grit, small pieces of sand or stone, to help the proventriculus grind and further break down food material. The ventriculus is also the area where indigestible materials like bones, fur, and feathers are trapped and formed into pellets or casts that will be regurgitated. The ingested material will then pass through the intestines, allowing the absorption of nutrients that the bird needs before it is ultimately expelled as fecal material.
The gastrointestinal anatomy of birds differs between species depending on what type of food they are eating. Red-tailed hawks are a type of diurnal raptor, meaning that they are carnivores who do their hunting during the daytime. In the Midwest, they mostly eat small to medium mammals, such as voles, mice, squirrels, rabbits, and some birds. They are opportunistic hunters, however, and will eat a variety of prey items of different sizes. Red-tailed hawks can swallow small to some medium prey items whole, but in cases of large items, they may instead be taken to a perch to be eaten slowly. These raptors have a crop where they are able to temporarily store food and begin the process of digestion before it reaches the stomach.
Based on its otherwise normal physical exam and large crop size, red-tailed hawk 24-2154 was suspected to have eaten a very large meal that prevented it from flying away properly. The large nature of the crop and the added weight likely caused some balance issues that made it much more difficult for the hawk to be able to take flight. The patient was kept overnight to monitor if it was digesting its prey appropriately and to make sure there were no other signs of injury or infection present. The patient had a DVM exam on October 4, 2024, where the crop size was back to normal, and the patient was completely healthy. The patient was flight tested outside of the clinic on a creance, which is a long weighted line that was attached to equipment placed through removable anklets we placed on the hawk. The patient exhibited normal, symmetrical flight and was approved for release. The hawk was released the following day near where it had been originally found a couple days prior. While this case involved very minimal interventions, this was still a very rewarding case to work on, as the patient made a quick recovery to normal function and was able to be released back to the wild right away.
References:
https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/rethaw/cur/foodhabits
Ritchison, G. (2023). In a class of their own: A detailed examination of avian forms and functions. Springer Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14852-1_5#DOI
Written By: Sarah, Class of 2027
In recent years, many veterinary practices have shifted towards a new approach to helping animals feel safe and secure in the clinic. These techniques, called “Fear Free”, aim to decrease stress and fear responses in animals as much as possible, while still being able to conduct adequate exams and treatments. The Fear Free approach aims for a patient-led experience, allowing animals to move about freely with minimal restraint, using relaxing sedatives if needed, and avoiding things that typically induce fear, such as metal exam tables, white coats, and loud noises.
In the Wildlife Medical Clinic, creating an environment that minimizes fear and stress is essential for the wellbeing of our patients. In many cases, low stress handling can mean the difference between life and death for wildlife. Uncontrolled stress in animals can suppress immune function and delay healing times, which makes recovery exponentially more challenging for patients. This effect is even more exaggerated in our wildlife friends, as a vast majority of the animals we see in the clinic have no prior experience with humans or handling, and consequently view us as terrifying, dangerous predators. However, this fear response is something that we want to preserve in wildlife, as animals that become too acclimated to humans may not be able to be released back into the wild. Thus, the Wildlife Medical Clinic works to ensure that an adequate balance is upheld when treating wildlife – animals should be handled in a way that creates the least amount of stress as possible, while also ensuring the animals do not become too comfortable around people.
While wildlife patients are in our care, there are numerous strategies that Wildlife Medical Clinic volunteers employ to uphold a low-stress environment for our wild friends. First, direct handling of wildlife species is restricted to only what is medically necessary. This may be for physical exams, medication administration, or wound care. Since this is the most stressful time for our wildlife friends, it’s important to remain hands-off until required. Direct handling of wildlife will always be stressful to some degree, but multiple techniques are implemented to promote a calmer experience while exams are conducted. For example, most bird species, from finches to falcons, calm down when their eyesight is restricted. You will often see volunteers using soft towels or pillowcases to cover the heads of birds, and we even have special hoods for raptor species to minimize stress. Additionally, for extremely stressed patients, sedatives can be administered to decrease the animal’s fight or flight response, allowing for a calmer patient and easier exam. Volunteers also always keep their voices low and calm while handling wildlife, to avoid startling patients with loud noises.
You can see low-stress techniques being utilized throughout the Wildlife Medical Clinic, even when animals are not being directly handled. All animals receive their own cages to rest in while they recover. These enclosures can be covered by a towel or blanket to block sightlines and help the animal feel secure and safe in their space. Additional hiding places and enrichment may also be included inside the cages as an added means of security for the patients. Patient holding is located in rooms separate from the rest of the clinic, which helps to minimize the amount of noise and commotion the animals are exposed to. Ambient noise makers are also used inside of these rooms to mimic the natural sounds of the outdoors while they recover.
While being removed from the wild can be quite stressful for our patients, the time and dedication of our volunteers to ensure their stay is as low-stress as possible helps aid in the success of the Wildlife Medical Clinic, allowing animals to recover quicker and be returned to the wild safe and sound.
Written By: Kayla, Class of 2028
It’s that time of year where we are getting into the Holiday season. As you are shopping and looking for gifts for loved ones, keep in mind, the Wildlife Medical Clinic has some unique giving opportunities such as our adopt an ambassador program, our sponsor a day program, and currently our 2025 calendar is available for purchase. What’s best about giving to the clinic is the recipient not only gets some very unique items but the money donated to the clinic goes directly towards food, supplies, and medical treatment of our resident ambassador animals and wildlife patients.
There are four levels or tiers you can choose from for your adoption. Each level adds to the items you receive.
For as little as $350 you can select a day to cover the cost of care and medical treatment for the wildlife patients in the clinic. This also indirectly helps to provide hands on experience for our current veterinary student volunteers.
You can select a random day or one that has meaning to you. This also makes for a great gift for birthdays, anniversaries, or other holidays. The donor or person being gifted this will receive a certificate and recognition on our Facebook page for their gift.
Each year we create a calendar that highlights some of our wildlife patients and ambassador animals. This year we have some great images of 2024 wildlife patients and ambassadors, as well as some interesting animal days noted throughout the year. If interested in purchasing a calendar, you can pick one up at the Small Animal Clinic front desk and Vet Med South Clinic front desk when you bring your pet in for an appointment or these are also available online at go.illinois.edu/WMCCalendar, and they will be shipped directly to the address provided on the order form.
In addition to these unique gifts, we also accept monetary donations and have periodic fundraisers throughout the year. For more information, check out our website at https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wildlife/hospital/wildlife-medical-clinic/wildlife-giving/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/UIWMC.
See if you can find all nine words associated with Tularemia in the word search below!
The barred owl (Strix varia) is a larger owl species found in North America. They are part of the family Strigidae, known as the “true owl family.” These brown-gray owls are native to Eastern North America, most often found in mature forests and woodlands. Their main diet is small mammals, but barred owls are known as opportunistic hunters and have been seen consuming other birds, reptiles, amphibians, and even a variety of invertebrates. This is one of the more common owl species that we see here at the Wildlife Medical Clinic.
In fact, on August 20, 2024, a barred owl came to the clinic and was in poor body condition, had external parasites, and signs of inflammation and damage in both eyes. During our exam, we found a clavicle fracture that was confirmed with x-rays, which would partly explain why this bird was not in the greatest condition. The clavicle is an integral part of the bone and muscle structure that gives birds the ability to fly. Meaning this individual was not able to hunt for prey due to this injury. These fractures, however, are very easily healed with cage rest. The next issue of concern on the list of problems this barred owl had, was its eye inflammation and damage. We needed to assess whether it had the ability to see. On August 23, we consulted with the Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Ophthalmology Department, where it was confirmed that in the right eye there was a portion of the retina that was detached, which led to the eye being non-visual. The left eye had some mild inflammation and damage but was determined to be mostly functional. The plan moving forward after this exam was to see if the ongoing inflammation in the right eye would resolve, and if not, the eye would need to be removed via a procedure called an eye evisceration.
In general, animals that come to the clinic and are found to have non-functional eyes are given a poor prognosis or ability to survive in the wild. Most of the animals we treat in the clinic either use their eyes for hunting or to watch for predators. Without vision in either one or both eyes these survival instincts are no longer intact, and the animal would either not be able to find food or would be at a greater risk of predation. With owls, due to their nocturnal nature, they rely more on their hearing while hunting at night, than their sight. Because of this, owls are a candidate for the eye evisceration surgical technique to treat non-healing or non-visual eyes.
With this barred owl, the inflammation unfortunately did not resolve, even with medication. Therefore, on the 29th of August, Riley Dunwoody, our junior student manager, performed the eye evisceration surgery under the guidance of our Director, Dr. Lewis. For this procedure, the very front part of the eye, the cornea, is removed and the inside of the eyeball is removed. The outer structure of the eyeball is left intact and the eyelids are sutured closed around it. The outer structure of the eyeball is left intact on purpose. In owls they have a structure known as scleral ossicles within the structure of their outer eye. This gives their face and head the structure it needs to properly allow for sounds to enter the ear. If the entire eye was to be removed, then the face would lose its normal shape, and the owl would lose its sharp ability to hear their prey.
Post surgery, the patient recovered well, their weight significantly improved, and the clavicle fracture showed promising improvement with the formation of a callus (area of extra mineral or bone growth) which indicated the bone was healing. It was decided we would flight test this patient to see if they were ready to be transferred or released. Temporary equipment called removable anklets were placed on the bird’s legs. Then small strings called jesses are placed through the anklets and connected to an extender that is then connected to a creance line. The creance is a light weight, long line that is connected to a weight. This technique can be used to safely evaluate a bird’s flight or to help them build up strength flying to condition them for release. Creancing allows the bird to fly but for a limited distance, usually up to 150-200 feet but we start off at shorter distances and increase the length and number of times they fly on the creance, as they build up strength. However, for this purpose, it was just used to evaluate the Barred Owls flight capabilities. When this bird was creanced, we saw that it had flight capability but would need a lot of conditioning before it was ready to be released. Because of this, we determined that the most beneficial next step would be to transfer to another licensed rehabilitation center that has access to a large flight cage. This would be the best way for this individual to regain strength to fully fly again before it is released back into the wild.
After a month with us, on September 24, we successfully transferred this barred owl to a facility with a large flight cage, where it continued its rehabilitation. Our friends at Illinois Raptor Center allowed this patient to recondition in their large flight cages, and on November 19, Riley had the privilege of releasing this patient back in their home territory!
Written By: Riley, Junior Student Manager and Class of 2027
The Ambassador Team held their second annual pumpkin carving event last month. Since the ambassador volunteers primarily do their shifts individually or in pairs, social events are a great way to bond as a team and have fun outside of studying.
Our volunteers listened to a Halloween playlist, talked about our favorite Halloween movies, and carved 6 pumpkins. Patterns included an opossum sitting on a branch, a slithering snake, a classic jack-o-lantern, and the WMC logo! We also cut out bat silhouettes to hang up around the animal enclosures.
The fun really began when the pumpkins were completed – we introduced Hazel (Eastern box turtle), Onslo (blue-tongued skink), Petunia (Virginia opossum), and Odin (red-tailed hawk) to our creations. Petunia and Hazel both dove right in to tasting the pumpkins. Don’t worry – pumpkin is a safe food item for both of them! Onslo and Odin were not quite sure what to make of the pumpkins, but seemed to enjoy the outside time regardless.
Once everyone had their fill of pumpkin, we moved the pumpkins into our raptor enclosures. Ruby (red-tailed hawk) got right to exploring her pumpkin but lost interest after she realized there were no snacks hidden in the pumpkin.
We hope you enjoy the pictures from this event and that you all had a safe and spooky Halloween!
If you want to see some additional images and video from this event, check out our new social media account (on TikTok @wmc.ambassadors, https://www.tiktok.com/@wmc.ambassadors?_t=8rLBS03qvbq&_r=1).
Written By: Sarah, Wildlife Ambassador Care Coordinator and Class of 2026
