Page 168 - Hand rearing birds second

Loons 153

Figure 9.1 Common Loon chick with wet area on wing after hydration offered from a small tub.
Source: photo courtesy of Marge Gibson.

a pool or dish, then reassess hydration 4–12 hours later (Figure 9.1). If they are dehydrated and not
drinking, fluids can be gavaged at 30–50 ml/kg or sterile isotonic fluids given subcutaneously at
50 ml/kg. It should also be noted that those who have raised loons from hatching have not noticed
signs of malimprinting (Diane Winn, Kevin Kenow, pers. comms.).

­ Common­Medical­Problems

Lethargy

Older, healthy, wild‐caught loon chicks should become progressively more aggressive and feistier
with age. They should be stabbing at your hands and eyes when handled. However, chicks hatched
in captivity may be much more docile toward handlers. Any deviation from this is abnormal and a
thorough physical exam should be performed. It can be difficult to catch small declines in attitude.
It is recommended to weigh the chicks daily in a standardized manner (i.e. before morning feed-
ing). Declining body weight may be the first sign of something wrong, so weighing chicks daily is
paramount.

Pressure­Sores
Loons have evolved to spend almost 100% of their lives on water and thus lack any significant soft
tissue padding over the plantar surface of their feet, hocks, and keels (Figure 9.2). Chicks kept off
water or who are hauling themselves out too frequently will develop lesions here. They are very
difficult to manage; thus, prevention is best. See “Haul‐out” section below under “Housing.”

Aspergillosis

Loons are very susceptible to aspergillosis (White et al. 1976; Forrester et al. 1997; Stone and
Okoniewski 2001). Typically, it is secondary to another stressor; however, that stressor may simply
be captivity or growth. In Kenow et al. (2014), 47% of hand‐reared chicks had evidence of