New X-ray Machine in action

Working with Wildlife Inc. we have been saving tons of local wildlife. I purchased a digital x-ray unit to be used as it’s a basic and indispensable piece of equipment we need. Wildlife Inc. will pay me back in time. A fully grown Tern swal...lowed a fishing hook as seen in x-ray. This is a very common problem we encounter here. With some minor surgery and experience the hook was removed. Damen Hurd our workhorse is shown with patient. I also examined a baby Sand hill crane that is having difficulty walking. X-rays were normal. The splaying out of the legs is seen in a calcium and vitamin d deficiency which we are correcting. Both patients are doing well. The baby Sand hill is the cutest baby bird they almost look prehistoric.
The Bald Eagle with the broken wing was not repairable due to shattered bone and was euthanazed.

 

Baby bear tragedy

I had the pleasure to foster a baby bear that was rejected by its mother as it would not suckle from here. At 2 weeks old it was very week and fragile. One fell in love with the little angel and even though we spent 24/7 caring for it. Unfortunate it succumbed to stress and the mishandling and not being kept warm , before it came to me. On autopsy there was a ligament attached from the stomach to the liver impeding the passage of milk into the intestine. This could have been a congenital or a traumatically induced incident. Regardless he took last breath in my arms. It was very sad and we all cried. Wildlife work can be very rewarding and also very frustrating and depressing. Tomorrows is another day and the sun is shining.

 

 

 

Unfortunate break in immature Bald Eagle

Yesterday we had the opportunity to work with an Immature Bald Eagle female that was hit by a car. She was strong and in good spirits when treated for shock and her injuries. X-rays taken with the new machine I purchased for Wildlife incorporated show a severely fractured left humeus. As compared to the healthy right bone, can see that the bone was fractured in at least 3 places, completely shattering the bone. Unfortunately due to the shattering of bone there is no matrix I can use to pin or repair the wing. The bird is under federal law and you are not allowed to amputate a limb unless it’s just the last third. This healthy bird would be perfect for education purposes that Wildlife Inc. sponsors on a regular basis. We await word from Department of Fish and wildlife on what course to take but unfortunately it’s probably going to be euthanasia. In the interim wounds were treated, antibiotics and pain medicine given and wing wrapped so she can be comfortable.

 

Treating a Swan with broken wing

Last week we had a swan come on with a sever break to its humerus Wildlife rehabilitation Inc. which I have been working for was the recipient. X-rays were taken at a local veterinary clinic and paid for. Surgery was successful and swan is recuperating well. We are trying to raise funds to buy our own x-ray machine as this is an essential tool of my trade. Please donate or at least click on the challenge posted earlier.

Amother day in Paradise

Volunteering my time in the interim to Wildlife Rehabilitation and education centre .
Busy day. We amputated a broken toe from the Great Grey Heron that was interfering with him standing. Operation went well and bird is standing today and will be released in a week or so when healed. Also treated an opossum with a foot abscess, a vulture with a blind eye and a rescue dog with heartworms.

 

Skunk mouth

 Well here is a new one. I de-scented 4 skunks for wildlife rehabilitation as their injured mother had babies and they wanted to adopt them out. Not an easy operation as the anal glands, which are huge by the way, are very close to the rectum and difficult to dissect. Thank goodness I have no sense of smell and I could do the procedure while everyone else ran away. One of the babies stopped breathing under the aesthetic gas and I had no recourse but to give it mouth to mouth resuscitation. It came around and is ok but what a taste left in my mouth. Anyone for a kiss?...

Sheldriks Family Kenya June 2013

On a recent visit to Kenya to treat sick elephants I had the pleasure of spending more time with The Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage. In the picture 3 generations on Sheldricks. Madame Daphne Sheldrick, Angela and son Shaun. They are earth angels.