Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana released bald eagle in LaPlace
July 16, 2024
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana released a bald eagle on July 16 at 11 a.m. at an Entergy facility in LaPlace, La. This is the sixth eagle we have released in 2024.
A male bald eagle weighing 3 kilograms was presented to the LSU Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana on March 23, 2024. The bird was originally found on River Road in Montz, a neighborhood in LaPlace, La. Leslie Lattimore at Wings of Hope and Livingston, Louisiana, received the eagle and then brought the bird to LSU Vet Med for further work up because of an apparent wing injury with an open fracture of the wing tip.
LSU Vet Med veterinarians performed radiographs and bloodwork and found that the bird had fractured its left major and minor metacarpal bones. Otherwise, the bird was in general good health. They performed the surgery by placing two pins at each end of the bone to stabilize it. in addition, the bird received fluid therapy, analgesics for pain, control, and antibiotic therapy. Open fractures can be very challenging, and often are difficult to successfully heal because they can become infected; however, this eagle has made a full recovery. He has been in flight training for the past six weeks building up his stamina and is ready to be released.
Wildlife cases can be dropped off at the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., including weekends. There is no charge for treating wildlife, but LSU Vet Med’s Wildlife Hospital relies on donations to maintain its program and provide care for these animals.
About LSU Vet Med’s Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana
LSU Vet Med’s Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana currently accepts more than 1,200 wild mammals, birds, and reptiles annually, with a 15% increase in caseload anticipated each year. We do not charge a fee to the Good Samaritans who bring in these sick and injured animals; the Wildlife Hospital provides this medical care from funds donated to the Wildlife Hospital. You can give online at lsu.edu/vetmed/giving/wildlife and select Give Now and then Wildlife Hospital.
About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.