Red-Tailed Hawk Vs. West Nile Virus

The following story about a red-tailed hawk was shared with us by Rocky Mountain Raptor Program in Colorado.

When rehabilitation staff at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program admitted a hatch-year red-tailed hawk from Fort Collins, Colorado, they knew that the next few days would be critical. The fledgling was weak, dehydrated, and emaciated at 770 grams (about 1.7 pounds). Unable to stand, it laid in the critical care enclosure limply after examination. A full course of medications and treatments would be required to help support the patient: fluids, lysine for immune support, antibiotics, antifungals, supplementary heat, and lots of rest.

Suspecting West Nile Virus, a common disease of the young and immunocompromised, an oral swab was sent out for testing. While waiting for the results, the hawk was started on EmerAid IC Carnivore food to jump-start its digestive tract. By tubing 35 cc of EmerAid BID, staff could ensure that the patient was introduced to calories slowly to prevent further issues from re-feeding too quickly.

Within three days, the hawk was also starting to eat small, non-casting mouse meals on its own. By the end of the week staff was confident that the little hawk would make a full recovery.

The test results were in, the hawk had contracted West Nile Virus, but it was already fighting its way back from the brink. After recovering its strength, a few weeks of live-prey testing and flight conditioning was all that was needed for the hawk to prove it was ready for release.

Approximately a month after it was stricken, the bird had gained 35 percent of its body weight and was released back to the area it was found at a healthy weight of 1,093 grams (about 2.4 pounds).