Double-Crested Cormorant Overcomes Toxicity

The following story about a double-crested cormorant was shared with us by Clinic For The Rehabilitation Of Wildlife in Florida.

This juvenile, 910-gram (about 2 pounds) double-crested cormorant was admitted from Bonita Springs, Florida, to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on May 13, 2024. The cormorant was found unable to fly on the beach and had stayed in one spot for several hours.

Upon initial examination by the veterinary team, the patient presented with neurologic signs, such as ataxia, head tremors, incomplete blink reflex, and hock sitting. Staff suspected the cause of the neurological signs was brevetoxicosis from a Karenia brevis bloom or some other toxicity.

The patient was administered artificial tears, an intravenous catheter for intravenous lipids followed by intravenous fluids, and blood work was obtained. Radiographs performed on intake revealed no orthopedic abnormalities and no foreign metallic objects within the body, i.e., fish hooks.

Due to the bird’s debilitated mentation and to support them as the neurologic symptoms resolved, the patient was placed on a feeding plan of 3–5% body weight via three times a day force feeds of EmerAid IC Piscivore for appropriate nutritional and caloric needs.

As the patient’s mentation and neurologic signs improved, the bird was eligible for transfer to another wildlife rehabilitation facility to move into an outdoor complex. Since our outdoor complex was under construction, we have partnered with other facilities in Florida to assist in the continued rehabilitation of this patient.

Weighing 1.04 kilograms (about 2.3 pounds) and after 11 days in our intensive care unit, the double-crested cormorant was transferred for continued rehabilitation and then release.