Every now and then we get a confusing case come in like this juvenile Lanner Falcon.He was picked up in Boston, grounded, cold and wet, and was brought through to us by Sarah-Jane Carr. Initial examination found no injuries, except for a small abrasion and slight swelling above the left eye; possibly from a collision with an overhead line.
A bigger concern is that, although he is not in poor condition, he is showing signs of anaemia. This could possibly be due to high parasite load, or a disease affecting the blood such as Avian Malaria. Loss of appetite and general apathy is also a major concern and strongly linked into the possibility of a disease.
At Umgeni Veterinary Clinic, Dr Margie Roach gave him a thorough check. The injury to the eye is minor and has not resulted in any serious complications affecting his eyesight. X-rays were done and nothing out of the ordinary detected. A blood smear was taken. Nothing out of the ordinary.
So what to do in a case like this when nothing obviously wrong can be found on a patient that is obviously not well?
The FreeMe KZN team has rallied together and is giving this beautiful young bird the best supportive treatment we can while we try every option to determine what is wrong with our young patient.
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News supplied by Umgeni Vet Clinic.