Owl admitted after possible poisoning
By Joanna Fitzgerald | Director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital
63 animals admitted this past week
A great horned owl and a young bobcat were among the 63 animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Other admissions include a great blue heron, four ovenbirds, a marsh rabbit and a Florida snapping turtle.
Great horned owl admitted
The great horned owl was picked up after staff at a motor coach resort near Marco Island reported the owl was on the ground unable to fly. They were hesitant to capture the large raptor so wildlife hospital staff recruited a Conservancy Volunteer Critter Courier to capture and transport the owl to the hospital.
When the owl arrived it was in dire condition. It was unresponsive, unable to stand or hold its head up and it had a significant amount of mucous in its mouth.
Hospital staff did not know the cause of the owl’s condition but resort staff mentioned rodenticides are used in the area so there was a concern about secondary anticoagulant poisoning.
A variety of unknown toxins could have caused the symptoms as well.
The owl was given electrolytes, vitamin K and two herbal supplements that we frequently use in cases associated with liver toxicity.
Since the owl lost its ability to blink, it needed repeated applications of eye drops and ointment to keep ulcers from forming.
Our prognosis for the bird was extremely grim.
Although the owl’s condition did not improve, it survived the first 24 hours which gave us some hope.
The owl’s treatment plan was adjusted slightly as its condition changed over the course of three days. Professional supportive care was essential while the owl recovered and gained strength.
On the third day, the owl was standing although it was still weak and having a hard time holding its head up. Staff offered the owl solid food — a skinned mouse — which the owl eagerly ate.
Currently the owl continues to recover in the bird room of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital.
Recent Releases
- 1 Eastern screech owl
- 1 Florida box turtle
- 1 red-shouldered hawk
- 2 Florida red-bellied turtles
- 1 evening bat
- 1 yellow-throated warbler
- 1 gray catbird
- 2 Florida softshell turtles
- 2 gopher tortoises
- 2 eastern cottontails
- 6 grey squirrels
- 2 mourning doves
Opportunities to Help
Please visit our website at www.conservancy.org and learn about the many opportunities there are to get involved.
Volunteers are vital in our efforts to assist native wildlife.
If you are unable to give of your time as a volunteer, become a member or donate.
However you choose to become involved, your support will help the Conservancy continue to protect Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife and future.
