Eastern Screech Owl Injured by a Cat

In late August, our Raptor Hospital team admitted a young Eastern Screech Owl, Patient #27305, that initially stumped them. Upon admission, the owl appeared to be in good health, and our team initially struggled to determine why it had been grounded and captured so easily.

After speaking further with the finders, we learned that the owl had been discovered inside an outdoor cat enclosure. Because of this, our team suspected that the owl may have been attacked or grabbed by a cat. Cat saliva contains bacteria that can be extremely harmful to small wildlife species, so we were relieved to find no major injuries on this little owl.

After a few days of care and preventative antibiotic treatment, our staff noticed a new wound developing on the owl’s face. A thorough veterinary exam revealed that the injury was located on the cere, the soft tissue above the beak where the nostrils (nares) are located. Our veterinary team quickly determined that part of the bone was exposed, and immediate treatment was necessary to protect it.

Under sedation, our veterinarian sutured a piece of Duoderm, a breathable, semi-permanent wound dressing, over the exposed area. This dressing helps keep the wound moist, promotes healthy skin growth, and prevents the injury from worsening. Over the next several weeks, with daily antibiotics to prevent bone infection and regular ointment applications to encourage healing, the owl’s cere completely healed.

We’re thrilled to share that after a full recovery, Patient #27305 was released back into the wild at the end of September!

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