On June 19, a juvenile male Bald Eagle was found on the ground in Windsor, Virginia. Animal Control Officer Tiffany Webb noticed the bird was uncoordinated and shifting his weight from one leg to the other. The eagle was easily captured and taken to Smithfield Animal Hospital.
Radiographs were taken, but revealed no abnormalities. Due to his neurologic status, the bird was transported to the Wildlife Center that same evening by volunteer transporter Michelle Allen.
During the initial exam, the hatch-year bird presented with a head tremor and was sitting on his hocks, but was otherwise bright, alert, and feisty. Additional radiographs were taken and blood was drawn for analysis. Radiographs and blood work results were unremarkable. The veterinary staff administered fluids and placed the bird in the Center’s holding room overnight.
The following morning, Bald Eagle #15-1250 was bright and alert. The veterinary staff moved the bird to a C-pen to assess his gait and found that the bird was still ataxic [lacked muscle coordination], but no longer displayed the head tremor. The bird returned to the Center’s holding room and was offered a meal of mice.
The next day the staff noticed that the eagle had consumed most of his meal and while the bird was still mildly ataxic, his condition was greatly improved. The bird was moved to C1 and monitored for any changes in neurological status.
On June 22, Bald Eagle #15-1250 was bright, alert, and showed no signs of ataxia. The bird was also perching on his A-frame and had eaten almost all of his meal. The veterinary staff is very encouraged by the bird’s rapid improvement.