LSU Vet Med releases bald eagle in Theriot, La.

Another successful Wildlife Hospital eagle release

eagle in flight

Dominic Scheurer and Maryella Cohn carrying crate with eagle

 

 eagle about to take off
Dr. Adam Moreno being interviewed by WGNO-TV

From left, the eagle in flight. Veterinary students and raptor co-chairs Dominic Scheurer and Maryella Cohn carrying the eagle. The eagle about to take off. Dr. Adam Moreno, zoological medicine intern, being interviewed by WGNO-TV.

 

 

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Hospital released a bald eagle on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Theriot, La. The female adult bald eagle was released behind a church on Dularge Road near where she was found in the hope that she can reunite with her partner (eagles develop long-term bonds). The eagle took off quickly and then perched in a tree not far from the release site. 

Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries brought the eagle to LSU Vet Med on October 6, 2022. She had a dislocated left major metacarpal and major digit. This type of injury can be very challenging to correct; however, LSU Vet Med faculty, staff, and students performed a surgical arthrodesis to stabilize the joint (arthrodesis is the surgical immobilization of a joint by fusion of the adjacent bones).

“This is not something that has been published as being successful before, so we are excited to release this bird,” said Mark Mitchell, DVM, PhD (LSU 2001), DECZM, professor of zoological medicine. “She was treated with supportive care, including fluids and analgesics for pain, and we used photobiomodulation (laser) therapy too.” Photobiomodulation is use of red or near-infrared light to stimulate, heal, regenerate, and protect tissue that has either been injured, is degenerating, or else is at risk of dying. LSU Vet Med’s Integrative Medicine Service offers this type of therapy for 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 see 10-15 bald eagles 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. To find out how you can support our mission, please contact Tracy Evans, executive director of development, at tracy@lsu.edu. You can also give online at lsufoundation.org/givetovetmed and select 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. The LSU SVM 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.