Young Red-shouldered Hawk with a Broken Leg

During spring and summer, it’s common for young birds to land on the ground as they develop and practice flying and foraging. Occasionally, however, baby birds end up on the ground before they are ready to fledge. On May 25th, after a heavy rainstorm, a Red-Shouldered Hawk nest was damaged, causing three nestlings to tumble to the ground. Two of the hawks were unharmed, but Patient #26240 suffered a fractured leg on impact. 

Radiographs allowed us to assess the nature of the injury, including the type and location of the fracture. Avian bones heal quickly, with a bony callus often forming within seven days. Prompt treatment is essential to properly align the bone and ensure the leg’s future functionality. We confirmed that our patient had a recent, closed (simple) fracture of the right femur, making surgical repair the most viable option, as bandaging alone would not suffice. The standard approach for fixing such fractures is the surgical insertion of an intramedullary (IM) pin into the bone. 

On May 29th, our hospital staff, alongside veterinarian Dr. Ritzman, successfully performed the surgery. The metal IM pin was carefully drilled into the bone, aligning the fractured pieces for optimal healing. Upon waking from anesthesia, Patient #26240 surprised us by standing and eating immediately. Post-surgery, we supported his recovery with good nutrition, anti-inflammatory medication, antibiotics, pain relief, and physical therapy. After 68 days of care, Patient #26240 was successfully released and took his first flight in the wild! 

The total cost of care for Patient #26240 was $4,765.20. You can help cover the cost of care for our raptor patients by donating today.