Case Report: Adult Female Bald Eagle

Winner, Abstracts and Cases
Chelsea Anderson, Cornell University

Signalment: Adult Bald Eagle, Female

 

Common problems: Bald eagles do not commonly present to the Wildlife Health Center but most cases have been fractures secondary to trauma or lead toxicity.

 

History and clinical presentation:

This Bald Eagle presented to the Wildlife Health Center on 02/05/2011 after being brought in by a rehabilitator. The eagle was seen walking sternally with its wings folded, down an embankment and across a two-lane road into a bush. Upon presentation the eagle was quiet, alert and responsive and sternally recumbent. On initial evaluation of the legs, the bird was not moving and seemed to have no deep pain when stimulated by hemostats. The cloaca did not have any tone when palpated with forceps. When pressure was applied to the right metatarsal region, the bird reacted appropriately by flapping her wings and moving away from the stimulus. A small wound was seen near the uropygial gland but otherwise the integument was normal. The left leg was slightly abducted away from the body. A small amount of blood was seen in her mouth and on inspection was coagulated in the oral cavity, with a few drops in her glottis. She was weighed at 5.55 kg.

 

Presenting problems:

• Pelvic fracture (left most significant)

• Paraparesis

• Inability to urinate/defecate voluntarily (spinal trauma)

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Breed Specific Legislation

 Winner, Life as a Vet Student Category
Julia Drury, Cornell University

With the arrival of October, a month in which many celebrate Pit bull awareness, it is fitting to discuss Breed Specific Legislation and its affect on the veterinary profession. On March 22, 2012 Massachusetts passed the Bill S.2192 outlining that “no dog shall be deemed dangerous: . . . based solely upon the breed of such dog”. Massachusetts is one of a hand-full of states that has banned breed specific legislation (BSL). The drive behind BSL is that by banning or regulating ownership of certain “dangerous” breeds the number of dog bites and fatalities will decrease. Breeds that are frequently targeted with BSL are Pit Bulls, Rottweiler’s, Chow Chows, and Presa Canarios. The extremes of BSL legislation can be seen in Bermuda and Australia which include banning breeds, force muzzling in public, posting “beware dangerous dog” signs on the property, and banning importation of specified restricted breeds.

There is no scientific evidence that breed specific legislation is effective in reducing the number of dog bites or fatalities in communities. Rather, it places the blame of aggressive behavior on the dog breed instead of on the owner and does not address the fact that a dog of any breed can become dangerous when improperly trained or trained to be aggressive. We have all met, owned, or treated wonderful canine citizens that are pit bulls, chows, and Rottweiler’s. 

So how do we as veterinary professionals promote safety in our communities and decrease dog bites without demonizing certain breeds?

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The Vet Student Times

Winner, Foot in Mouth category
Alicia Niedzwiedzki, University of Wisconsin

Up to my armpits

Winner, Experiences category
Justin Padgett, Auburn University 

 

The stories of James Herriot, Charlie Edwards, and other old country veterinarians fill the minds of each veterinary student as they set off on their pursuit of their veterinary career. Each pre-vet and veterinary student is encouraged by, and hopes to one day become, just like the veterinarians of old that were central pillars in their communities. The doctors of 50, 60, 70 years ago imparted important, helpful knowledge,  applied skills to save their neighbors beloved pet and/or farm, and were cornerstones of integrity and respect that helped build the veterinary profession into what it is today. I know firsthand of many of today’s students  who aspire to join a small farming community and carry on these romantic visions of a life as a skilled, helpful and respected mixed animal veterinarian. 

 

There is doubt, however, as to whether this life exists anymore. Growing up in the suburban South East, I was convinced that the life of the country gentlemen veterinarian was extinct. Often times it seemed that veterinary medicine was too specialized now and that much of it was becoming corporatized to the point that there may one day be a small animal clinic in a Super Wal-Mart. While many advances of specialized practice and big money from corporations are great, these kind of benefits come with the risk of rubbing a little of the soul out of the old county vet.  

 

Luckily for me, I was able to spend a short externship last winter with the veterinarians of Ashland Veterinary Hospital in Ashland, OH.  I came to know that the respected, needed, and recognized veterinarian still exists. In fact, they are alive and well. The small practice in North Central Ohio is home to three mixed animal practitioners (Drs. Gingrich, Brennan, and Yoakam) that have carved out the kind of life in the relatively small town of 20,000 that everyone reads about in the tales of old veterinary practitioners. They operate two offices, one that exclusively sees the small animal patients of Ashland, and another that is considered central operations for the herd health of just over 100 local dairies.  

 

I began my externship the minute I ran out of the finals in Auburn and booked it to OH. I arrived on a Thursday afternoon and was immediately assigned the task of heading to a local dairy to score teats with another veterinary extern, Dale, a student form The Ohio State University. Dale was kind enough to show me the ropes and give me a run-down as we hit the back roads in search of the dairy. From the time I arrived until my departure a short 11 days later, the work never really slowed down. 

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Hector

Winner, Creative Corner
Elise Madara, Louisiana State University 

Acrylic painting