On November 12, a Department of Game and Inland Fisheries officer picked up a mature Bald Eagle by the side of the road in Mount Landing, Virginia. The eagle was taken to a local permitted rehabilitator; the eagle was transported to the Wildlife Center the following day.
Dr. Rich, vet student Alicia, and diagnostic intern Julia examined the large eagle when it arrived. Likely a female, the eagle was not able to stand, but did have use of her feet. The team performed blood work and took a set of radiographs to see if they were able to determine why the eagle couldn’t stand. On radiographs, Dr. Rich noted an area of concern on the eagle’s spine – there was enough trauma to one area that led Dr. Rich to believe that the eagle may have a spinal fracture.
The eagle was given fluids, anti-inflammatories, and pain medications and was placed in the Center’s oxygen chamber for the evening. The staff will closely monitor the eagle over the next few days.