Bald eagle Norfolk 2008/2009
UPDATE: December 5, 2008
by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia
The Norfolk eagle (08-0887) will undergo another dremeling in two to three weeks to further correct the curvature in the beak. During our daily rounds yesterday, we decided to move a Red-shouldered Hawk from our large flight pen to a smaller one. This move had a snowball effect on other patients; the Norfolk eagle is now back in the medium-sized flight pen he was in one month ago.
The bird continues to eat with great enthusiasm from the rat, mice, and fish delicacies we provide. His weight currently stands at 3.6 kg (7.9lbs) and he continues to stay in good health.
UPDATE: December 3, 2008
by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia
I had a look at 887 yesterday, and we have elected to do nothing with the beak at this time. We will likely be doing a more extensive dremmeling in two to three weeks.
by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia
The Norfolk eagle (08-0887) will undergo another dremeling in two to three weeks to further correct the curvature in the beak. During our daily rounds yesterday, we decided to move a Red-shouldered Hawk from our large flight pen to a smaller one. This move had a snowball effect on other patients; the Norfolk eagle is now back in the medium-sized flight pen he was in one month ago.
The bird continues to eat with great enthusiasm from the rat, mice, and fish delicacies we provide. His weight currently stands at 3.6 kg (7.9lbs) and he continues to stay in good health.
UPDATE: December 3, 2008
by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia
I had a look at 887 yesterday, and we have elected to do nothing with the beak at this time. We will likely be doing a more extensive dremmeling in two to three weeks.
Een vriendelijk woord is wat ieder graag hoort.
Vriendelijke daden zijn de beste kameraden.
Vriendelijke daden zijn de beste kameraden.
UPDATE: December 18, 2008
by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia
It was noticed earlier this week that the Norfolk eagle was having trouble tearing his food. Upon further investigation, we noticed that the eagle was having difficulties closing his beak due to the increased length of the lower beak. This "extension" thus prevented it from tucking under the hooked portion of the upper beak. To resolve this issue, the Norfolk eagle was brought into the clinic today and placed under general anesthesia to dremmel the overgrown lower beak back into a more natural position. This procedure took approximately 30 minutes which included anesthesia induction, the procedure, and the recovery time. I'm happy to report that the beak fits together in a much more appropriate manner and the bird should be able to tear food again in another day or two. It is normal after these procedures for birds to go off feed despite the administration of pain medications.
On a more happy note, we were finally able to move the Norfolk eagle into one of our larger eagle flight pens this week. His pen has gone from 45 feet to 100 feet and he now commands an impressive view down over the other enclosures. Despite his initial confusion, the bird has taken quite well to his new home and is often seen flying back and forth from perch to perch. We hope to keep the bird in this enclosure as long as possible but his stay is dependent on the treatment schedule of other eagle patients.
by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia
It was noticed earlier this week that the Norfolk eagle was having trouble tearing his food. Upon further investigation, we noticed that the eagle was having difficulties closing his beak due to the increased length of the lower beak. This "extension" thus prevented it from tucking under the hooked portion of the upper beak. To resolve this issue, the Norfolk eagle was brought into the clinic today and placed under general anesthesia to dremmel the overgrown lower beak back into a more natural position. This procedure took approximately 30 minutes which included anesthesia induction, the procedure, and the recovery time. I'm happy to report that the beak fits together in a much more appropriate manner and the bird should be able to tear food again in another day or two. It is normal after these procedures for birds to go off feed despite the administration of pain medications.
On a more happy note, we were finally able to move the Norfolk eagle into one of our larger eagle flight pens this week. His pen has gone from 45 feet to 100 feet and he now commands an impressive view down over the other enclosures. Despite his initial confusion, the bird has taken quite well to his new home and is often seen flying back and forth from perch to perch. We hope to keep the bird in this enclosure as long as possible but his stay is dependent on the treatment schedule of other eagle patients.
Een vriendelijk woord is wat ieder graag hoort.
Vriendelijke daden zijn de beste kameraden.
Vriendelijke daden zijn de beste kameraden.