On the afternoon of September 26, a man driving on Interstate 64 in Waynesboro saw a small cub lying by the side of the road. He stopped and managed to scoop the injured bear into a milk crate in his truck, and brought it to the Wildlife Center within minutes.
Admitted as patient #13-2454, the young male cub was whisked into the Center’s clinic, where the veterinary team quickly began the physical examination. Dr. Kristin and diagnostic intern Kelli anesthetized the bear and began feeling for broken bones. They quickly noted a hernia-like mass on the bear’s abdomen, as well as some “road rash”, confirming that the bear was struck by a vehicle.
Radiographs were taken; no broken bones were noted, though the bear has a fractured right canine tooth, and has blood in his right eye. Dr. Kristin quickly shaved the bear’s abdomen and used an ultrasound to diagnose free blood in the abdomen and what appears to be an inguinal hernia. This means there is a hole in the bear’s abdominal wall, and a loop of the bear’s intestine has popped through the hole, but is still under the bear’s skin.
Dr. Rich was able to manipulate the intestine back into the abdomen but the hernia quickly reappeared; surgery will be needed to fix this issue quickly, before further complications arise. The bear will be taken to surgery on the morning of September 27.
The bear cub, weighing in at 9.10 kgs, was given fluids, pain medications, and anti-inflammatories. The cub was set-up in a sturdy “zinger” crate inside the Center’s holding room for the evening. With so much internal trauma, the cub’s prognosis is quite guarded.
Examination photos: