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350 Hand-Rearing Birds

examination table or a heating pad on low, with towels between the heat source and the patient to
prevent burns and overheating. Rehydration with warmed fluids is important to bring the core
body temperature up to normal range before extensive handling and examination. If the chick is
alert, rehydration can be accomplished orally with warmed fluids tubed into the crop or proven-
triculus with a red rubber or silicon catheter. Warmed subcutaneous (SQ) fluids are important as
well if sterile fluids, syringes, and needles are available. Place the eaglet in a heated “box” incuba-
tor at 95–99 °F (35–38 °C), without disturbance, for several hours until the body temperature
returns to normal. At that time, begin to treat any injuries or reason for admission.
In the case of an eaglet presenting with hyperthermia, over 109 °F (42.7 °C), methods to bring
down the body temperature must be implemented immediately along with fluid therapy.
Depending on the age of the patient, cool/ice packs can be used under their wings as well. Refrain
from handling the young patient as handling can raise the body temperature. Monitor your
patient closely through both physical signs of recovery (increased activity and mental awareness,
etc.) and body temperature. If the patient is conscious, cool, not cold, water can be tubed into the
patients crop.
Both body temperature extremes of hypothermia and hyperthermia are emergencies that can
cause patient death quickly even in the absence of injury or disease. They must be recognized
immediately on admission and treated to stabilize the patient before evaluating most injuries or
other reasons of admission. Both hypothermia and hyperthermia cause combinations of brain
dysfunction, heart irregularities, cellular death, and organ failure.
Towel and blow drying a wet eaglet before putting it into a warming area will speed the warming
process. If using a blow dryer, take care not to burn the eaglet’s delicate skin, face, feather follicles,
and emerging feathers with excessive heat. It is helpful to use your own ungloved hand when
evaluating the temperature of a blow dryer before using it on a patient.
Traditional clear incubators that allow full vision of the chick should be avoided as they add
stress to the young bird and present an opportunity for human imprinting. If these are used,
cover the incubator with a towel or attach solid paper to the exterior. Traditional heat lamps
should be avoided as intense temperature is directed into a small area and can cause severe
burns. The author uses a low‐tech incubator that consists of a clean cardboard box with towels
in the bottom and a heating element under the box itself. A heating pad on low or other appro -
priate heating element placed under one‐half of the box to reach 95–99 °F (35–38 °C) creates
gentle, consistent warming. This method allows the eaglet to rest and recover without the visual
stimulation of lights or humans, or the sounds of a clinic (Figure 21.2). Mirrors can provide
chicks with companionship (Figure 21.3). Secure mirrors well to the box or carrier to prevent
accidental injury to the patient.

Diet

The regular diet of a healthy young eagles in rehabilitation or captive care is based on the age of
the chick and species. The diet should be as natural as possible, if the bird is able to digest food
normally. A good basic diet for young eaglets in captive care is pinkie mice, rats, and muscle meat
from rabbit or other natural prey items other than fish. Vitamin supplements such as Nekton‐
Biotic Bird and Nekton‐Calcium should be used as well as an additional calcium supplement until
the patient is on a full normal prey diet. The diet should continue to evolve as the young eagle
grows until finally opened whole prey is presented. Prey items can be supplemented with beef
heart or whatever nonfatty unprocessed muscle meat is available.