American Avocet Survives Paresis And Ataxia From Toxin

The following story about an American avocet was shared with us by Clinic For The Rehabilitation Of Wildlife in Florida.

On August 5, 2021, an American avocet was found grounded on Middle Gulf Drive on Sanibel Island. It was rescued and taken to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) just up the road on Sanibel.

Upon arrival, veterinarians found it to be in good body condition with a healthy weight at 280 grams (about 9.9 ounces). However, it was suffering from severe paresis and ataxia and was unable to hold its head up, likely from a toxin exposure.

Attempts to place an intravenous catheter were unsuccessful, and veterinary staff had to adjust and place an intraosseous (IO) catheter instead so that lipid therapy could begin. This lipid therapy was repeated the next day as well and was followed by sodium chloride given intraosseous (via catheter in the bone marrow).

It was a very guarded first day in the ICU with an initial poor prognosis. Due to the severely debilitated state, we had to start feeding very cautiously and slowly. We opted to start feeding EmerAid IC Piscivore at 2% body weight and slowly weaned up to 5% over the course of a few feeds over its first two days in the hospital.

We had to keep its head well elevated to reduce the chance of aspiration. Because the bird could not defecate on its own, staff had to clean and express the cloaca prior to each feed. By the next day, small improvements were noted and the decision was made to continue with treatment.

Remarkably the avocet continued to make positive steps each day, and we were able to start physical therapy using tub time to help restore function to the long, delicate legs. We also had to be especially cautious with the fragile beak. It was eating crickets and small insects on its own, but not enough to maintain weight, so staff had to continue tubing liquid feeds of insect and fish slurry four times a day.

He began hock sitting, which progressed to standing completely unassisted. This was a very unique species to present to CROW and quickly became a staff favorite. In over 10 years it was only the second American avocet to be admitted to CROW. All the staff was very invested; there was truly a collective effort to get this patient back to the wild.

After 13 days, our efforts were rewarded as our avocet was cleared for release. The body condition was good and the paresis and ataxia had resolved completely. CROW veterinary interns were able to release the American avocet back into the wild at the adjacent Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge.