TREATMENT

Firstly, the bird is given a quick examination to establish whether urgent first aid treatment is required and whether it needs to be taken to a vet straight away. If we decide that there is no immediate danger, it is allowed a period of peace and quiet to relax before a thorough check is made to assess the extent of the injury and the bird’s general condition. After this examination, we must then decide if a vet needs to be consulted. This is very much a judgement call based on years of experience and 99% of the time we get it right but, at the end of the day, if we have the slightest doubt, a vet is consulted.

Even the choice of vet is critical. Not all vets are experienced in the handling of raptors. We are fortunate in East Anglia to have access to a number of vets throughout the region who have both the skill and interest to be able to deal with most problems.

Once a vet has been consulted we are bound to accept any advice or recommendation that is given.

	One of the most valuable forms of first aid treatment available is the glucose/saline solution. Administered by tube into the crop of a diurnal raptor or directly into the stomach of an owl (owls don’t have crops), this solution provides energy and a very effective treatment for dehydration in a form that can easily be absorbed by the bird. The effects of this treatment can appear to be miraculous. A bird that seemed at death’s door only an hour earlier is suddenly transformed into a lively and aggressive creature, hell-bent on showing its gratitude by inflicting as much pain on you as possible.
The treatment given to any bird is determined by its injuries and condition. In this case a barn owl with a badly broken wing has had the bones pinned. The tubing acted as external scaffolding whilst the bones knitted and healed and was removed a few weeks later. After a further period of exercise and physiotherapy, it was released. This bird was very lucky. The break is near the elbow joint. Had it been any closer, the pins could not have been inserted and the bird would have had to be put to sleep.
	Sometimes it's necessary to partially immobilise a bird to prevent it from damaging itself further. Taping the wingtips and tail feathers is a very effective way of achieving this!