Great Blue Heron Endures Botulism Poisoning

The following story about a great blue heron was submitted by Pelican Harbor Seabird Station in Florida.

Patient 21-2002 was a great blue heron that was admitted due to botulism poisoning. When a patient has botulism poisoning they present as lethargic, dehydrated, thin, unable to stand, not able to blink, and if the case is worse they may not be able to support their own heads. This patient came in with many of those symptoms.

On intake we administered subcutaneous fluids, oral toxiban, vitamin E, and eye lube. After we deemed the patient as stable, we started tube feeding EmerAid IC Piscivore diet three times a day. This diet is perfect for our patients because it is packed with calories but is easy on their digestive system by being easily digested. This allows our patients to spend less energy on food digestion and more energy on getting better.

After a couple days of tubing EmerAid we transitioned the patient to fish analog. This diet is the next step to getting them on whole fish. After a couple of days the patient gained back some strength, its hydration improved, and it could stand.

The great blue heron was cleared by the veterinarian to be moved outside and after a few days outside eating whole fish and gaining flight strength the bird was released.