Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Snowy owl with open wing bone fracture healed using external fixator
By Burdeaux, Richard R & Wade, Laura·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2018·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Successful Management of Open, Contaminated Metacarpal Fractures in an Adult Snowy Owl ( Bubo scandiacus) With a Minimal Type II External Skeletal Fixator.
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A male snowy owl was found unable to fly due to a broken wing with an open wound. After a thorough examination, veterinarians used a special device called an external skeletal fixator to stabilize the broken bones and allowed the wound to heal. Over the next couple of months, the owl gradually regained strength and was able to fly again. After additional rehabilitation, it was successfully released back into the wild nearly a year later.
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Abstract
An adult, male snowy owl ( Bubo scandiacus) was found down and unable to fly in western New York State. Physical examination and radiographs revealed a subacute, open wound and fractured major and minor metacarpals of the right wing. A minimal type II external skeletal fixator (ESF) device was placed on the right major metacarpal bone and the open wound was allowed to granulate and close. After evidence of bone union, the ESF device was removed. The owl performed auto-physiotherapy throughout the process and was released with sustained flight 2 months postoperatively. It was recaptured 7 weeks later and underwent further rehabilitation to allow successful release 11 months after surgical stabilization. To our knowledge, this is the first case report describing use of a type II ESF device on the metacarpus of a bird.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30204018/