Golden Eagle is in W.E.R.C.'s
intensive care unit
July 3, 2012 - Golden Eagle is out of intensive care
- Mercury rising! We're not talking about the weather. Mercury, the Golden Eagle is well on the way to recovery. His wing infection has healed and the feathers are growing back in.
After 3 long months of intensive care (medications, physical therapy, bandaging) and being in a small enclosure (necessary in order to treat him), Mercury was transferred to a large outdoor enclosure where he can stretch his wings and fly short distances. This exercise will build up his weakened muscles. It's exciting to watch him on the monitor enjoying his new "freedom". He can be seen perching or standing on a shelf looking out over a pond filled with ducks. - Being in the larger enclosure will do wonders for his mental and physical well-being. If all goes well, the next step (whenever) will be to transfer him to one of the bigger flight cages. We're cautiously optimistic.
- Can you help us help Mercury reclaim his health so he'll again be able to soar in the skies? The cost of his medications, wound care dressings, treatment equipment, x-rays, veterinary expenses, food, and housing has reached $1000. You can designate your tax-deductible donation specifically to his care.
(Donations to WERC are tax-deductible.)
May 18, 2012
- The results of the eagle's May 10th blood test are back, showing that he has a fungal infection. He's now taking an anti-fungal medication, in addition to a new antibiotic because he has built up a resistance to the previous medications.
Mercury's wing continues to show improvement, with no open wounds. He has been doing very well in his new outside enclosure.
We have recently begun a new regimen: The wrappings are removed from his wing in the morning and remain off until afternoon. This allows him to stretch the wing on his own (though volunteers continue daily physical therapy) for a few hours a day.
His head cone is left on to prevent him from biting at his wing. In the afternoon,- the wing is treated and re-bandaged. The regimen has improved the eagle's appetite and helped to revive his spirit.
April 30, 2012
- Dr. Colbert came to WERC to examine the eagle and determine whether his wounds had healed well enough to transfer him to an outdoor enclosure, so that he could stretch his wings. Dr. Colbert was pleased at his improvement. There was just a problem with two old feathers that would need hydrotherapy and antibiotics a little longer until they dropped. When Mercury was first "released" into the enclosure, he appeared very calm. His left wing drooped more than normal and would need time to regain strength after having been kept wrapped for two months.
HOWEVER, after about 10-15 minutes, he managed to pull out two blood feathers, causing much bleeding. He was immediately brought back to the clinic, where we stopped the bleeding, treated the wing with honey and wrapped it up. The head cone (to prevent biting the wing) was put back on and he was placed back into the clinic kennel. It was a disappointing, though hopefully temporary, outcome. WERC volunteers have built a small enclosure within a larger outdoor - enclosure, which will enable us to continue treatment (wing and medications) but give him a bit more room to move about.
April 5, 2012
- Below is a picture of the wound showing the remarkable improvement since coming to us February 28
March 30, 2012
- The golden eagle was examined by Dr. Colbert this morning and she was very pleased with the eagle's condition. The wounds are healing so well that the eagle will now only need wound treatment once a day! Treating the eagle.s wing is a highly intensive process, involving hydrotherapy, "scrubbing", applications of special honey as an antibacterial agent, bandaging, and physical therapy to keep the wing from stiffening. This treatment and twice-a-day oral antibiotics will continue for at least two more weeks. Until the wounds are completely healed, the eagle must remain in the indoor enclosure, to allow daily treatment and protect him from outside elements that might cause further infection.
March 26, 2012
- More /images of rescued Eagle (See story below)
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February 28, 2012
- On Feb. 28, WERC received a call from Almaden Quicksilver Park in San Jose about an adult Golden Eagle down on the ground and unable to fly. John and Teresa, two of WERC's long-time volunteers, quickly drove from Morgan Hill to the park and met the ranger, who told them that the eagle had moved to the top of the hill - about 30 feet above the road. The three hiked up the hill and after several attempts were able to corner the raptor. With extreme caution - its massive talons can be lethal and an eagle can kill a small deer - the eagle was picked it up and carried down the hill. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Mission Accomplished!
- Now it was time to find out why this magnificent bird-of-prey was on the ground in the first place. The eagle's x-rays showed that there were no fractures or dislocations! There was just a wound on the left wrist. However, it was felt that there MAY be head trauma, i.e. a concussion and that could be the cause of its incapacity. The eagle, who is underweight at 7 pounds (a healthy male should weigh about 10 pounds) will remain in intensive care, but WERC is optimistic about his prognosis. Keep your fingers crossed! Watch this website for updates.
- WERC is certainly up to the challenge of caring for this eagle. WERC volunteers were specially trained in eagle rehabilitation in a week-long session in Alaska some years ago. They received rigorous training in handling, medication, behavior, and more, which has proved essential with the many eagles WERC has rehabilitated over the past 18 years.
- Now it was time to find out why this magnificent bird-of-prey was on the ground in the first place. The eagle's x-rays showed that there were no fractures or dislocations! There was just a wound on the left wrist. However, it was felt that there MAY be head trauma, i.e. a concussion and that could be the cause of its incapacity. The eagle, who is underweight at 7 pounds (a healthy male should weigh about 10 pounds) will remain in intensive care, but WERC is optimistic about his prognosis. Keep your fingers crossed! Watch this website for updates.