West Nile Virus Grounds Great Horned Owl

The following story about a great horned owl was shared with us by Ohio Wildlife Center.

This great horned owl was rescued in Dublin, Ohio, after being grounded for two days. A concerned citizen was able to bring the ill owl to Ohio Wildlife Center.

After examination, the patient was suspected to have contracted West Nile Virus. We monitored the patient in our community Wildlife Hospital. Her weight was extremely low and her body condition was evaluated at a 1 or 2.

She needed intense supportive care, which included an incubator, daily misting and weighing, and gavage feedings.

With supplemental care, fluids, and feedings with EmerAid IC Carnivore twice daily. We monitored the patient for weight gain and slowly introduced whole foods back into her diet. She remained under close observation during her time at our Wildlife Hospital and was eventually approved to be transferred to our outdoor enclosures for flight time.

In our large flight enclosure, she regained her strength and was able to sustain continued flight. She was released in October after several months of care, this great horned owl was able to be released back to her original location and return to her mate.