Case Z-173, The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota

Case Stories

Case Z-173
The Eagle Injured in Territorial Dispute
EOS the Eagle

General Information
Species: Bald Eagle
Date Admitted: 5/7/99
Recovered From: Little Falls
State: Minnesota
Sex: Unknown
Admission Weight: 4605grams

Diagnosis and Treatment
This eagle arrived at the Raptor Center bright, alert, and feisty. The examination revealed wounds and lacerations all over the body of the eagle. The main one was a large gash on the inner thigh of the left leg. The top of the head appeared as if it had been shaved-most of the feathers were missing and the skin was cut and bruised. There were smaller cut on the feet and the chest. These appeared to be talon inflicted wounds; this eagle had probably been involved in a territorial dispute. The third digit of the left foot was swollen and had osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone). The right foot was swollen all over. The wounds were cleaned, and the larger ones were sutured. Medications and fluids were given and the bird was placed in a cage to begin recovery. Blood results showed only a slightly elevated white blood cell count and the blood lead test was negative.

A head tremor was noticed the next day, so blood was drawn for organophosphate testing. The results came back positive; treatment for that began. It was not eating on its own either.

Wounds were well on their way to healing during the next week and the feet were not swollen. The eagle was still not eating, however, so the mouth was cultured for Candida (yeast). The culture grew a large amount of the yeast. An antifungal was prescribed. The osteomyelitis in the third digit of the left foot was not active anymore. Cholinesterase activity was returning to normal levels (meaning the organophosphates in his system were going away), but the eagle was still not eating on his own. This problem was attributed to the stress of being caged. Other factors such as infection, Candida, lead, or organophosphate toxicity had all been ruled out by blood tests or cultures. As soon as the wound on the inside of the leg was healed, the eagle was moved to a flight room. Being in a larger area with other eagles would probably encourage him to eat.

The first few days the eagle did not eat but was doing well in the flight room-it was not as jumpy and hyperactive as it had been in the cage. Then, on the fourth day, it finally picked up eating and ate well since then. Four days later it was moved to an outdoor flight pen and test flown. It did very well, but of course tired quickly from the weeks of inactivity. It was placed on the flight list to be flown three times per week to improve its stamina. On June 11, a radio transmitter was attatched to the eagle's back. For the rest of the eagle's stay , it was flown by the flight crew volunteers to prepare it for release. On June 22, the eagle was released at Kellogg Mall Park in St. Paul.