Wildlife Center of Virginia » NBGE Medical Updates

NBGE Medical Updates

Training Updates [latest: 02/25/10]
Medical Updates, July-August 2008
Medical Updates, May-June 2008
Surgery Scheduled for July 12, 2008
Current Bald Eagle patients [updated 03/03/10]
Learn about the New Eagle Flight Enclosure
Support the Wildlife Center’s care of the Bald Eagle

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.