Red-Tailed Hawk Needs Help During Heat Wave And Fire Season

The following story about a red-tailed hawk was submitted by Kent Wildlife Rehabilitation in Idaho.

A juvenile red-tailed hawk was found grounded and not eating (except for the shrimp the rescuer was feeding him!) There were no apparent injuries, but he appeared dehydrated and emaciated. Admission weight was 690 grams (about 1.5 pounds). This occurred during the peak heat days of summer and the peak of fire season with dense smoke in the area.

He was given 30 ml Normosol via gavage, mucous membranes slightly pink, totally flat after fluids administered. Three hours later he was given an additional 20 ml Normosol via gavage, and he was sitting on his perch. Four hours later 20 ml of dilute EmerAid IC Carnivore was administered by gavage.

The following day he was given 25 ml dilute EmerAid IC Carnivore, and then 25 ml recommended concentration, and 20 ml recommended concentration at 4 hour intervals.

On the third day he was given 26 ml EmerAid IC Carnivore in the morning and then offered a small, diced mouse. He began eating on his own. By day 4, he was producing semi-normal mutes/droppings. Whole mice were introduced, and he was moved to an outside mew/hawk enclosure.

After some time in the outside mew, conditioning for release was begun. During this time a sore was observed in his mouth and treated for two weeks. Once the sore cleared up he was released. Release weight was 920 grams (about 2 pounds).