Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Red-Tailed Hawk

This Red-tailed Hawk was rescued by Richmond Wildlife Center after being struck by a vehicle in Henrico, VA.

A fracture of the left humerus was found on their initial exam and the patient was unable to stand due to suspected trauma to the lower spine or pelvis, so the hawk was promptly transferred to our hospital for further diagnostics and potentially surgical repair.

Fortunately, the inability to stand on intake was not due to any orthopedic issue. We suspect this was just from inflammation in the area caused by the vehicle collision.

Our amazing LVT (licensed veterinary technician), Chris, preps the hawk for surgery and takes vitals to ensure the patient is doing well before we start the procedure.

The humeral fracture, although open (protruding through the skin and increasing the risk of infection), was quite fresh and we were able to stabilize it surgically.

In these pre- and post-op radiographs, you can see the left humeral fracture (left) and the final product (right).

On the right, the bright white is a stainless steel intramedullary pin that is going through the middle of the humerus and two other pins going into each segment of the fracture.

Once all the pins are placed, the portion of the intramedullary pin that is coming out of the humerus is bent at a 90 degree angle to be in line with the other two pins. These three pins are then held together by an external fixator bar (the bar in the image that is in line with the thickest metal pin, but less opaque as the bar is not metal).

In this following image, taken immediately after the surgery, you can see the intramedullary pin coming out from the top of the humerus where it is bent to meet the other perpendicular pins where they are all held in place by the external fixator bar.

The “bar” in this case is a penrose drain filled with polymethylmethacrylate (similar to the acrylic used in nail salons, it is a thick liquid that hardens to form a solid bar).

We bandage around the pin entry points (the yellow material in this image) and then cover this entire external fixator to keep it as clean as possible as the bones heal.

Just 24 hours after surgery this patient is standing and eating on their own!

The prognosis for a full recovery is still guarded due to the fracture being open and the severity of muscle damage around that site, but we are hopeful that everything will heal functionally and that this bird will be able to return home in the next few months.

Work like this is only possible due to the amazing network of permitted rehabilitators we have in our state. All wildlife rehabilitators and wildlife hospitals rely on private donations to operate–none of us receive any state or federal funding.

We hope that you will consider donating to our Giving Tuesday fundraiser (and also that you will support your local wildlife rehabilitators, many of whom are responsible for rescuing and stabilizing patients that eventually make their way to our hospital).

When we all work together, we give sick and injured wildlife the best chance possible of surviving and thriving!