Wildlife Center of Virginia » NBGE Medical Updates

NBGE Medical Updates

Medical Updates, July-August 2008

Medical Updates, May-June 2008

Surgery Scheduled for July 12, 2008

March 22, 2012

Another month, another coping session: Dr. Dave trimmed Buddy’s beak on March 22. Dr. Dave trimmed just a few millimeters off of both the upper and lower beaks, though did not have to remove much from the sides of Buddy’s upper beak this time around. Dr. Dave did note that Buddy was a little overweight — probably due to the unseasonably warm spring weather! Buddy will have another dremmel session at the end of April.

February 1, 2012

Buddy was brought into the hospital on February 1 for his regularly coping appointment with Dr. Dave. Buddy was awake and hooded for the procedure. Dr. Dave reports,

“Both top and bottom beaks were mildly overgrown and needed trimming. The bottom beak was coped two millimeters on the edges and two to three millimeters at the tip. The upper beak was trimmed three millimeters at the edges and three to four millimeters at the tip.

While bird was in hand, I did a quick physical exam. Buddy’s feet are in excellent condition with knobby papillae [tiny rough projections] and no worn areas. We put Buddy back in his enclosures and he hopped right up onto his perch and expected food. Coping didn’t bother him in the least.”

Buddy will have another dremel session in early March.

Check out Buddy’s white tail feathers!

December 14, 2011

On Monday, December 12, the Kjellstrom & Lee construction crew needed to get into Buddy’s enclosure to replace a pipe in Buddy’s swimming pool. Since Buddy needed to vacate the enclosure for the crew to get work done, the veterinary staff decided that they may as well get a bit of “work” done on Buddy himself at the same time and brought him down to the clinic.

Dr. Dave coped Buddy – a bit early, but preferable to having to catch the eagle up again in two weeks’ time. Dr. Dave dremmeled Buddy’s beak and shaved off two to three millimeters off of the lower beak, and one to two millimeters off of the top of the beak. The next dremmel session is scheduled for late January 2012.

Center vets also gave Buddy his annual physical exam, which included blood work and a series of radiographs. Buddy appears to be in good health, and the vet staff found no significant findings on in-house blood work or radiographs.

When Dr. Miranda performed an eye exam on Buddy, she did find something unusual – in both of his eyes, there are rounded, fluid-filled areas within the pecten. The pecten is the “nourishing” part of a bird’s eye, and is not responsible for sight. These type of cysts on a bird’s pecten could be congenital, the results of an infection, or just “idiopathic” – meaning it just happens, and we don’t know why! In Buddy’s case, the veterinarians could easily rule out a congenital cause – Buddy’s eyes are examined every year, and these cysts were not present before. The team could also rule out infection, as there are no other parts of Buddy’s eyes that look abnormal, and all blood work is within normal limits. That just means that we’re not quite sure why his eyes look like this – but there’s no cause for concern. The vets will check Buddy’s eyes again in six months.

Buddy will actually be staying in his “old house” for a couple of days while the work in his eagle palace continues.

November 15, 2011

Buddy’s beak trims have occurred about every five to six weeks throughout this summer and fall — late August, mid-October, and most recently, November 14. Each time, Dr. Dave has been trimming Buddy’s upper and lower beak about 2-3 millimeters to ensure that the beak fits together more snugly. Buddy continues to remain awake and hooded for each of these dremmel sessions.

July 8, 2011

Buddy had another beak trim on July 8. Dr. Dave reports, “Buddy was VERY good today for coping. We performed the procedure awake and there was very little struggling while the dremmling was occurring. Also, not as much “chattering” compared to past events. He was just as feisty going to and from the pen.

The lower beak fit under the upper beak but barely indicating that this is an appropriate coping time. Several millimeters were taken off the margins on both sides on the upper beak and the tip was trimmed back about 3 millimeters. The lower beak was trimmed back about 2-3 millimeters so that it fit more naturally under the upper beak. It was noticed today that the beak is developing more yellow colouration indicating that Buddy is getting closer and closer to maturity.”

June 7, 2011

On Friday, June 3, Buddy was brought into the WCV clinic for his monthly dremmel session. Dr. Dave once again did the beak coping while Buddy was awake and hooded.

According to Dr. Dave, “The upper beak seemed to cross over the lower beak more than in the past, however, the rehabbers report that he was still eating and manipulating his food without any trouble. Approximately three to four millimeters were taken off of the upper left beak and about two millimeters was taken off of the upper right.

The lower beak was slightly overgrown and I removed two to three millimeters from the tip and curved the edges so there were no sharp points. The tip of the upper beak was taken back by three millimeters to decrease the overall length.”

The next dremmel session is scheduled for early July.

April 18, 2011

Buddy came into the hospital on April 15 for his monthly beak trim. According to Dr. Dave, approximately two millimeters were taken off the end of Buddy’s lower beak and one to two millimeters were dremmeled off of the side of the upper beak. Coping was once again performed without anesthesia, so the procedure went very quickly. Modifications are still needed for Buddy’s new hood though – so Dr. Dave’s thumb doesn’t end up getting chomped on quite so much!

Buddy also received a West Nile vaccination while he was inside for his dremmeling procedure. All of the Center’s education raptors are vaccinated each spring against the West Nile virus – this killed vaccine is given about four to six weeks before mosquito season starts.

Update: March 21, 2011

Buddy came into the hospital on Friday, March 18 for his monthly dremmel session – this time, Dr. Dave wanted to try the beak-trim while keeping Buddy awake. Education Coordinator Kelly Rourke made a custom-fitted hood for Buddy to wear during the trim to reduce stress as well as to keep Buddy’s eyes protected.

Dr. Dave reports: “We tested the new hood out today and determined that the chin strap is attached too far forward. This doesn’t allow us to open the mouth without Buddy biting my thumb. Kelly will be modifying the hood for the next session.

We did use an older hood and coped the beak while Buddy was awake. Once he had accepted that my thumb was not leaving his mouth, he was quiet and accepted the procedure. Three millimeters were taken off of the end of the top beak. Several millimeters were taken off of the edges of the bottom beak. In the end, the lower beak fit nicely under the top beak. The procedure was fairly quick –only about three minutes — and Buddy seemed miffed but tolerated the procedure well.”

The next beak trim is scheduled for mid-April; the plan is to continue the dremmel sessions while Buddy is awake.

Update: February 25, 2011

On February 18, Buddy received his monthly beak trim as well as his annual “check-up” from the staff veterinarians. Each of the Center’s education raptor receives a thorough physical exam once a year. Buddy’s radiographs and blood work all looked great.

Dr. Dave McRuer dremmeled Buddy’s upper and lower beak; a moderate amount was trimmed. This was done under anesthesia this time, since Buddy was already anesthetized for his annual radiographs. The next dremmel session in March will be attempted with Buddy awake.

Update: January 11, 2011

On January 6, Buddy was brought in to the Wildlife Center hospital for his monthly beak trim. Dr. Dave McRuer reports, “As per prior plans, coping was done under anesthesia so that more of Buddy’s beak could be trimmed. Approximately 3-4 mm was removed from the tip of the lower beak. Approximately 3 mm of keratin was removed from the right side of his upper beak and only 1 mm was removed from the left side. After coping, the lower beak was easily able to close and not touch the tip of the upper beak.”

Buddy’s next coping is scheduled for the second week in February.

Update: December 6, 2010

On December 2, Buddy came in for another routine beak trim. This time, however, the plan was to dremmel Buddy’s beak while he was awake, rather than anesthetizing him. While Buddy wasn’t exactly pleased with this new procedure, things went well for a first attempt at doing this awake. About 2 millimeters were taken off each side of the upper beak and about 2-3 millimeters were dremmeled off of the bottom beak.

While it’s only been four and a half weeks since the last dremmel date, Buddy’s beak, especially the lower beak, has grown a little faster than expected. While the plan is to still do a majority of future beak trims without anesthesia, Buddy will be anesthetized for the next dremmel session – scheduled for the week of January 3 — so that a greater amount of overgrown beak can be trimmed off. This should allow for the February and March trims to be done while Buddy is awake.

In the meantime, education coordinator Kelly Rourke will work on making a new hood for Buddy to help protect his eyes during these dremmel sessions. This hood will be made just to Buddy’s size, as the current eagle hood is a little large for him.

Update: November 1, 2010

On November 1 Buddy was brought into the Center’s clinic for another dremmeling procedure — Buddy’s monthly beak trim. As was anticipated with this new schedule, a smaller amount needed to be trimmed from Buddy’s beak.

If these trims are done more frequently, the veterinary team hopes that the procedures could be done without anesthetizing Buddy. As part of this transition, Buddy was given less anesthesia for the November 1 dremmeling, and the vet staff encountered no problems.

Buddy’s next beak-trim will be in about four weeks — likely the week of November 29.

Update: October 1, 2010 by Dr. Dave McRuer

On October 1 we had a very successful dremmeling. We only allowed four weeks to pass since the last dremelling. This resulted in less growth and a less traumatic experience. Only one small blood vessel was damaged on the lower beak. Several mm of keratin was removed from the right and left side of the upper beak along the margins. Approximately 3 mm was dremmeled from the tip of the upper beak. This was a much quicker dremmeling; our plan is to repeat in four weeks to avoid excessive growth and vascular expansion.

When Buddy was anesthetized for the dremmel procedure, Center vets worked to get a Buddy “footprint”. Learn more!

Update: September 6, 2010

On Friday, September 3 Buddy was brought back into the clinic for a beak trim. All three of the Center’s veterinarians participated in the procedure — Drs. Kelly Flaminio, Dave McRuer, and Miranda Sadar.

Both Buddy’s upper and lower beak were trimmed during the short procedure. The vets also gave Buddy a physical examination — his body condition was generally good, and there was no evidence of any continuing problems with his feet. Buddy did have some flat flies; treatment is underway.

Dr. Dave now feels that it would be best to bring Buddy in for coping [beak trims] more frequently — every four weeks. This will reduce the amount of the beak that needs to be trimmed in each session. It is also possible that these copings could then be done without the need to anesthetize Buddy.

Update: July 19, 2010

On July 19 Buddy was brought into the veterinary clinic for a beak trim. He was generally bright and alert. Center veterinarians found that his beak was overgrown on both the upper and lower parts. The upper beak was curved to the left and the lower part couldn’t fit under the upper part. About 3 mm was trimmed off of the front part of the lower beak; the upper beak was also trimmed back about 3 mm. There was slight but temporary bleeding on the lower beak. The next dremmeling will probably be scheduled for early September — in six weeks, rather than the recent eight-week interval.

First day on the new job …

On July 19, the Center welcomed two new members of our veterinary team. Dr. Miranda Sadar [middle] and Dr. Kelly Flaminio [right] started at the Center on July 19 and observed Dr. Dave McRuer during Buddy’s dremmel procedure. Dr. Miranda is the Center’s new Veterinary Fellow [succeeding Dr. Elizabeth Daut] and will be with us until June 2012. She grew up on a farm in Johnston, Colorado where she raised a variety of critters to help raise money for veterinary medical school. Miranda attended Colorado State University where she completed her B.S. and, in 2009, her DVM. After graduation she traveled to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for a zoological, exotics, and wildlife internship.

Dr. Kelly Flaminio is the Center’s new Veterinary Intern [succeeding Dr. Ariana Santamaria-Bouvier] and will be with us until June 2011. She grew up on the West Coast and earned her B.A. in Zoology from Miami University [Ohio] in 2005. She graduated in 2009 from Western University of Health Science’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Pomona, California. Kelly spent the last year in an emergency and critical care internship at DoveLewis Animal Emergency Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

Update: May 19, 2010

On May 18 Buddy was brought into the clinic for coping — his beak-trimming procedure, and his first since mid-March. The procedure went smoothly.

For the past few weeks, Center veterinary and rehabilitation staff have also been keeping an eye on a small cut on the pad of Buddy’s right foot. As a precautionary measure, and to help keep the foot clean, the foot was bandaged; to reduce exposure to moisture, Buddy’s large water tank was also emptied. Yesterday’s examination found that the foot had healed. So … no more bandages.

And Buddy’s “swimming pool” has been refilled.

Additional Information from Dr. Dave McRuer: April 2010

#08-0887 went from December 22 to March 19 between beak-trimming procedures, raising a question about the rate of growth of his beak. At this point, I cannot say for sure whether the beak growth has slowed down or whether the eagle has adapted to the crossed beak.

We used to schedule a dremmel procedure every six weeks. We now wait until the bird’s actions show us that it’s time to trim. Our rehabilitation staff are very observant when it comes to how this eagle eats. When morsels of food become difficult to manipulate, or when the bird is having trouble tearing the prey, the vet staff is told immediately and a beak-trim is promptly scheduled. Lately, we’ve been going longer between sessions.

Earlier in his treatment at the Center, we marked the beak and then measured beak growth. To verify that beak growth has slowed, we’d have to conduct a similar procedure — scarring the beak around the growth plates and then watching the marks advance. As this presents a risk of doing further damage to the growth plate for the beak, I’d rather avoid this option if possible.

UPDATE: March 19, 2010

Eagle #08-0887 was brought into the Center’s clinic today for another beak-trimming procedure and for his annual examination. The bird’s condition was generally excellent. The small wounds he suffered in early February have healed well, although a small, more recent cut was found above one eye. His feet were in good condition [raptors in captivity frequently develop foot issues]. A blood sample was taken, and he received his annual vaccination for West Nile Virus. While under anesthesia for the beak-coping, #08-887 was also fitted with his new custom-made anklets.

UPDATE: February 3, 2010

On February 2, Center wildlife rehabilitator Suzy Doell noticed a small amount of blood on #08-0887’s head. The eagle was brought into the Center’s clinic and examined by Dr. Elizabeth Daut. She found three small superficial wounds along the ridge above the bird’s right eye, and a couple of scabs on old wounds on the face. It appears that these wounds were suffered when #08-0887 stuck his head through the chain-link fence in his enclosure.

Dr. Daut cleaned out the three small wounds and applied an antibiotic ointment. She also has prescribed three days of treatment with an anti-inflammatory drug.

The eagle was moved back up to one of the Center’s large flight pens while some alterations were made to his enclosure — including placing protective netting around the lower part of the chain-link fence. Those repairs have been made and #08-0887 has been moved back to his spot between Junior [the Golden Eagle] and Scarlette [the Red-tailed Hawk].

UPDATE: December 22, 2009

by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine

Eagle #08-887 was brought into the clinic for a dremeling procedure on Tuesday, December 22. The bird’s upper beak had actually worn a small grove in the lower beak, although this did not affect the bird’s ability to eat.

The dremmel was used to shorten the length of the lower beak and reduce the height of the beak on the left rostral surface. The height of the adjacent margin on the upper beak was also reduced bilaterally. The length of the upper beak was also shortened.

December 23, 2009 photo by Michele Fowler

UPDATE: December 17, 2009

by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine

There is little to report on the health status of Bald Eagle 08-0887 this month other than he’s happy and healthy. On most mornings the eagle can be found in the top right corner of his enclosure on a hemp rope-wrapped perch sunning himself in the morning rays. The eagle will frequently fly down to the front perch for a visit but often returns to the top perch for more basking time.

08-0887 is the best behaved bird on the block this time of year. Junior, the Golden Eagle in the next pen, is going through his annual “build-a-nest” phase and is very vocal whenever anyone walks by. Scarlette, the Red-tailed Hawk on the other side of 08-0887, is in a similar mood, and screeching is the order of the day. If I were 887, I’d be investigating the local noise by-laws!

The beak continues to grow and be dremmeled every 6-8 weeks. We are nearing procedure time again but the bird is still eating without difficulty. No other medical issues have been observed to date. The eagle’s feet are in great condition which is always great news. In captivity, the rough keratin papilla on the bottom of the feet often become quite worn, and ulcers or “bumblefoot” may occur. This is not the case with this bird. His weight is also maintaining itself which again is a good sign in a captive bird.

In summary, 08-0887 is a quiet, content eagle with a great demeanor. I foresee a bright education career in his future!

UPDATE: November 3, 2009

By Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine

#08-887 after dremmel procedure

On physical exam, it was noticed that 887’s beak was starting to show signs of wear on the bottom left aspect of the beak. This wear was caused from the upper right edge of the beak moving across the surface due to the asymetrical growth pattern. The decision was made to dremmel. The dremmel was used to shorten the length of the lower beak and reduce the height of the beak on the left rostral surface (closer to the tip). The height of the adjacent margin on the upper beak was also reduced bilaterally. The length of the upper beak was shortened to create normal confirmation.

Finally, the dremmal was used to cosmetically remove chaffed beak material around the original wound site.

The eagle woke from anesthesia without incident and is expected to eat this evening without difficulty.

#08-0887, after dremmel procedure

UPDATE: September 19, 2009

On September 19, #08-0887 was brought into the clinic for a coping procedure by Drs. Dave McRuer and Elizabeth Daut. This beak-trim occurred during NESTI Day at the Wildlife Center, and several participants took videos of the procedure. Those videos have been posted on the NESTI Forum, including videos by Chris Murphy and Ann Shirley.

UPDATE: August 7, 2009

by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine

#08-887 before August 7 coping

This week, it was time for another coping on the Norfolk eagle’s beak. The lower jaw had grown out substantially since the previous coping and the upper beak appeared slightly more laterally displaced. That said, this certainly hasn’t stopped the little guy from eating! I’ve included several pictures of #08-887 before the coping. Several focus on him in his current enclosure; others are close-up shots of his beak from different angles. The coping went very well and the recovery from anesthesia (using Sevoflurane……wonderful stuff for eagles) was uneventful — just how we like it!

Before coping procedure

UPDATE: July 27, 2009

The Center’s veterinary team examined #08-887. At this point, the eagle is not having difficulty eating, and additional dremmeling/trimming is not necessary. The eagle continues to be housed in one of the Center’s outdoor pens. His immediate “neighbors” are Bald Eagles #08-2337 and #09-1671.

UPDATE: July 7, 2009

Dr. Dave McRuer examined #08-0887 on July 3. The determination was made that an additional trimming/dremmeling was not necessary at this time. The next formal evaluation is scheduled for July 27, although Center rehabbers check on the eagle daily.

UPDATE: June 10, 2009

by Dr. Elizabeth Daut, Veterinary Fellow, Wildlife Center of Virginia

During the week of June 1, the Center rehab staff noticed that #08-887 seemed to be a bit disinterested in his food. We also noticed that the bird’s upper beak seemed to be a bit too long, which might have been causing some discomfort. On Saturday, June 6, the eagle was brought into the clinic; the vet team trimmed a few millimeters from the tip of the eagle’s upper beak.

Since that dremmeling, #08-887 has continued to be a somewhat “finicky” eater. While he devoured a quartered rat given to him on Sunday [June 7], he has been less interested in mice meals that past couple of days. The Center rehabbers plan to tempt him with a fish this evening.

08-887 in the Center's large flight pen June 2009

June 12 update:

On the evening of June 10, Wildlife Center rehabilitators left fish for #08-887’s dinner. According the rehabbers, the eagle ate about 90 percent of it.

For the time being, #08-887 has been relocated from one of the Center’s large flight pens to a smaller outdoor enclosure. In the two large flights pens are two Red-tailed Hawks [in Pen A-1] and a Turkey Vulture [in Pen A-2]. These birds are being exercised as part of their pre-release rehabilitation.

UPDATE: May 14, 2009

by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia

Patient #08-887 was examined today, and the deviation between the top and bottom beaks was starting to become larger. The decision was made to cope [trim] the beak before problems in eating occurred. The Bald Eagle was brought into the clinic and anestheized with Sevoflurane [no problems]. Approximately 3 mm was shaved from the left side of the tip of the beak and the right side of the upper beak at the tip. The marks placed on the upper beak some weeks ago to assess growth were all fairly uniform [as has been true in past observations], yet the beak deviation continues.

UPDATE: April 1, 2009

by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia

The eagle’s beak was now so long that it would not fit under the upper beak. The eagle is compensating by twisting the lower jaw to the left, so that the upper and lower beak will unite. To correct this problem, the eagle was brought to the hospital on the morning of April 1 and anesthestized with Sevoflurane. Approximately 5 mm were taken off the tip, and 1-2 mm off of the left side, of the lower beak. After approximately 15 minutes the eagle woke up without complications.

UPDATE: March 23, 2009

The Norfolk Bald Eagle was examined in one of the Center’s large flight pens on March 23 by Dr. Dave McRuer, the Center’s Director of Veterinary Medicine, with the assistance of Wildlife Rehabilitator Tracy Marshall.

The determination was made that an additional trimming/dremmeling was not necessary at this time. The next formal evaluation is scheduled for April 13.

UPDATE: February 28, 2009

by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia

On Wednesday, February 25, the veterinary team examined Eagle #08-887 to assess his general health and to determine if a dremmeling procedure was in order. The vets found that the beak had grown to the point where the lateral right edge of the upper beak almost touched the left edge of the lower beak, necessitating a beak trim. This dremmeling procedure was undertaken, and the beak was again scored to assess growth. The next dremmeling procedure, based on the beak’s rate of growth, has been scheduled for March 23.

UPDATE: January 13, 2009

by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia

#08-0887 was brought into the hospital again on January 8 to further assess and dremmel the lower beak. Marks made on the beak more than a month and a half ago indicate that the whole beak is growing outwards, and there does appear to be less curvature than several months ago. Approximately 3mm were shaved off the distal aspect of the lower beak and 5mm taken off the tip of the upper beak. The lower beak currently fits nicely under the upper beak. The next dremmel date is set for February 6.

887 continues to fly around in one of the Center’s largest eagle flight pens.

08-887 in one of the Center's largest flight pens.

The Norfolk Botanical Garden Bald Eagle

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.


[+] Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle		[+] Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle


[+] Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle		[+] Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle

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.

UPDATE: November 12 2008

by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia

After more than a month off of the dremmeling schedule, the veterinary staff noticed that the tip of the Norfolk eagle’s beak was beginning to touch once again. The eagle was brought down to the clinic earlier this week and placed under general anesthesia to allow a careful beak trimming. Excess keratin was trimmed off the right side of the upper beak, and the tip and left side of the lower beak, to allow the beak to open and close without restriction.

The site of the “pox lesion” is almost gone and now replaced with hardened keratin. We re-marked the beak in several places to continue our monitoring of growth rate.

After the eagle was awake and active after the procedure, we moved the bird to a smaller outside pen where he will have to stay for the next couple of weeks. This move was necessary as there are several other eagles that require flight pens in order to expedite their physical therapy and release. As space becomes available, we’ll move the Norfolk eagle back to a larger enclosure.

For the time being, the Norfolk eagle now has two new Bald Eagle neighbors – #08-1772 and #08-2337.


[+] The site of the ‘pox lesion’ is almost gone and now replaced with hardened keratin.		[+] The Wildlife Center’s veterinary team at work on the Norfolk eagle,

UPDATE: October 22 2008

by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia

The Norfolk eagle was given a physical exam today to assess both the deviation in the beak and the amount of growth away from the cere. During the last exam, I surgically scarred the upper beak in three places to track the forward growth of the beak away from the fleshy region know as the cere. I’m happy to report that all three marks moved approximately 2mm – including the portion of the beak surrounding the pox lesion. This is great news, as it indicates that the pox lesion did not permanently scar the growth plate and so the beak continues to grow. Practically, this means that given enough time, the beak may straighten on its own. Please collectively cross your fingers.

In other great news, the eagle was moved today into a larger flight pen, which he clearly appreciated. Although this is not one of our largest eagle enclosures (these are currently occupied), the bird can easily stretch his wings and fly 45 feet to the next perch. After being placed in the new pen, the eagle spent two to three minutes checking out his surroundings, then easily flew 20 feet away and six feet up to the nearest perch. This bird is not suffering from a fear of flight or heights!

I will continue to check the beak every two-three weeks and assess whether further dremmeling [trimming] is in order. Until then, I’m sure the eagle will be enjoying his new digs.


[+] The Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle		[+] The Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle


[+] The Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle		[+] The Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle

UPDATE: October 17 2008, 3pm

by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia

Last week [on October 9], the Norfolk Bald Eagle was brought down to the clinic for its 14-day beak dremmeling. Pleasantly for the bird, the beak had not grown any appreciable amount on the edges and so there were no pressure points to shift the upper beak off in a lateral direction. As such, dremmeling was not necessary.

We believe the upper beak is growing now from both the right and left sides. However, to fully measure this, we’ve scarred the beak in several places where it emerges from the cere (fleshy tissue around the nostrils). In two weeks time, we’ll observe the marks on the beak and measure to see if all portions are growing at the same rate. If so, I have great hope that the current deviation will eventually grow out. If not, the growth plates for the upper beak near the former pox lesion may have been permanently damaged and the eagle’s beak may need managing (beakacures??) for the rest of its life. As I’m fond of saying … time will tell.

At the present time, the bird continues to be fed mice, rats, and fish and is able to tear the larger items up into smaller pieces. The eagle seems to be more resistant to being handled and our intrusions into his enclosure. However, the bird continues (unfortunately) to vocalize like a habituated bird (a high-pitched cheeping call).

The next stage for the Norfolk eagle is to expand his horizons. Next week we hope to release another eagle (08-1259,) thus freeing space in our larger flight pens. There is presently another eagle in line for a largest flight pen, but we should be able to transfer the Norfolk bird to an intermediate enclosure where he will be able to fly and stretch his wings.


[+] The Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle		[+] The Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle

UPDATE: September 26 2008, 12 noon

by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia

Our current treatment plan is to dremmel [trim] the eagle’s beak every two weeks. The most recent trimming was done on September 24. The procedure was very successful and there was very little, if any, contact between the upper and lower beak this week. We are hopeful that this will allow the upper beak to grow unrestricted, and possibly even straight, provided that the growth plates are undamaged. It’s likely that we’re looking at from six months to a year of trimming.

The eagle appears to be enjoying his outdoor enclosure; our plan is to move the bird to a larger pen as soon as one becomes available. Presently we have three eagles in our two large eagle-flight pens and there is a waiting list to get in. We have already cleared land for a third large eagle-flight pen and are raising money for its final construction. This will help get eagles back to the wild more efficiently in the future.

In the meantime, once the other eagles are flying well enough for release, we’ll be doing some pen switching. From an enrichment perspective, allowing the Norfolk eagle the opportunity to “stretch his wings” is not only psychologically important (we assume), but will allow further physical development.

Video of the eagle


[+] The Norfolk Eagle getting his beak trimmed		[+]


[+]		[+]

UPDATE: September 11 2008, 11am

by Dr. Dave McRuer, Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia

The Norfolk eaglet, now better called the Norfolk eagle, continues to do well. Despite the crooked beak, the bird eats well and has been able to swallow its prey whole. The eagle lacks the ability to tear the prey with the beak and talons due to the weak strength of the beak. On September 10, the eagle was brought into the hospital and anesthetized using isoflurane in order to perform its bi-monthly beak dremmeling. During the last session, we were able to bring the length of the lower beak back to a point where it almost fit underneath the upper beak.

Yesterday, we were able to bring the lower beak back even further to the point where there is no contact between the tip of the upper and lower beak. The importance of this step is that there is no longer any resistance forcing the upper beak to grow off to the side. From this point on, we’ll continue dremmelling the beak every two weeks to prevent the tips of the upper and lower beak from touching, and let the growth plates near the base of the beak grow normally. In theory, if the growth plate on the side of the lesion is not damaged and there is no resistance forcing the beak in one direction, the beak should eventually grow straight again. The vet staff has taken care of the resistance, now we must wait to see whether the beak growth plate is damaged. Please keep your fingers are crossed.