Clinic Update

The managers did a great job taking care of all of our patients over fall break, and now all of the volunteers are back and managing their cases. We currently have 5 red-tailed hawks, a screech owl and a pigeon. We were also able to send one of our red-tailed hawks to a rehabilitation facility just before break. The hawk had originally presented with a broken tibiotarsus (leg). His surgery went well, and his subsequent re-check radiographs (x-rays) should good alignment and callus formation around the fracture.

Pitou, the screech owl

Red Tailed Hawks

We are surrounded by Red Tailed hawks in the ward right now. Our case load has begun to slow down as the weather has gotten cooler, but we currently have 3 Red Tailed hawks in the ward. Two of them have ulnar (wing) fractures and one has a fractured tibiotarsus (leg). Each of their fractures is being managed differently, which is really interesting for us veterinary students.

Team 1's RTH with a tibiotarsal fracture


Team 3 giving their hawk an IM injection

Snapping Turtle

Godzilla is a Snapping Turtle that presented to the clinic on September 28th with a fractured carapce (the top portion of the shell.) The team decided to get radiographs (x-rays) to evaluate the fracture and the possible lung damage. (A turtle's lungs sit right up against the top of their shell.) While looking at the radiographs, the team found another problem with Godzilla. He had a fish hook somewhere inside his body! Godzilla had surgery to remove the hook, and his shell fracture is beginning to heal. Hopefully, he'll be able to be transferred to a rehabilitation facility soon.
Godzilla's Radiograph from September 29th

Snapping Turtle Surgery



The Fish Hook Removed from Godzilla

Gozilla with Members of his Team

Godzilla on October 14th (You can see his shell fracture in this photo.)

Prairieland Feeds

The resident raptors will be at Prairieland Feeds this weekend from 9-4 on Saturday and 11-3 on Sunday. Prairieland Feeds is at 303 S Dunlap Ave in Savoy. (From campus, just head out to Neil St and go south. You can't miss it.) Stop by and see us!