Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana

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Baton Rouge, LA
Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana

The Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine promotes conservation th
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$This female Eastern Box Turtle presented to our hospital with an amputated left leg and shell fracture. While we are uns...$

11/12/2024

This female Eastern Box Turtle presented to our hospital with an amputated left leg and shell fracture. While we are unsure how this patient lost its leg, the X-Rays indicate no internal damage. Veterinary Student Kamryn McKeithen has been cleaning the wound and applying a fresh bandage every day to assist the healing process!

11/08/2024

LSU SVM Communications Manager Ginger Guttner, Raptor Co-Chair Alec Filson, and Raptor Resident Shelly were spotlighted today on WAFB's "Java Talk" segment. Take a look!

https://www.wafb.com/video/2024/11/05/wildlife-rehabilitation-lsu-vet-school/

11/05/2024

Introducing our newest Raptor Resident, Dexter!

Dexter is a Red-Morph Eastern Screech Owl. His left wing was injured and required amputation at the level of his elbow joint. Dexter recovered quickly from his surgery with no complications and now enjoys life at our Raptor Facility. Dexter loves training with the Raptor Rehab Team and has even attended our Raptor Rehab Presentations. Dexter's primary trainer is Raptor Co-Chair Chelsea Duplantis! We are so happy to have you on the team, Dexter!

If you would like to meet Dexter or any of our other residents at a Raptor Presentation, please email the Raptor Rehab Team at [email protected]

11/02/2024

A Virginia Opossum presented to our hospital very lethargic with severe abdominal distension. Abdominal Ultrasound revealed abdominal free fluid and uterine distension. Bloodwork also indicated anemia and sepsis.

Our team initiated IV fluid therapy with antibiotics and Vitamin B12 to support regeneration of the Opossum's red blood cells and stabilize her for emergency surgery.

Dr. Bakalis and veterinary student Mary Russell surgically removed the infected ovaries, uterine tubes, and vaginal bodies. The unique anatomy of the Opossum makes reproductive surgery very challenging. (Future) Dr. Russell was placed in charge of the patient's continued care while her surgical incision healed. After 14 days of hospitalization and a clean bill of health, the Opossum was released back into the wild!

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from the Raptor Rehab Team!

10/31/2024

Thank you to the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) for sharing this awesome video of Bruce! The LSU Raptor Rehab Team is so happy to provide our ambassadors with enriching holiday activities!

10/29/2024

Someone has been shooting waterfowl around the LSU Lakes with darts and arrows. We have provided care for 2 ducks and a goose so far. Unfortunately, one of the ducks had to be euthanized, and prognosis for the goose is not good. If you can safely bring us these injured animals, please do not remove the dart or arrow. LSU Police and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are investigating.

10/23/2024

Good Morning from Bruce!

10/19/2024

Happy to our incredible Alayia Jenkins! You're the MVP of our hospital! Your skills and kindness are invaluable to our team and our patients. We're so grateful for you!

10/13/2024

PAITIENT UPDATE: The Yellow-Crowned Night Heron underwent surgery for its Luxated Gastrocnemius Tendon, and it was a resounding success!

Dr. Zoey Lex and Vet Student Alana Joseph discovered that the retinaculum surrounding the tendon had ruptured, which caused the luxation. Dr. Lex and (future)Dr. Joseph placed the tendon in its normal position and repaired the retinaculum. The heron recovered quickly after surgery and began using its leg to perch again! It has been transferred to a rehabilitation facility where it will continue to exercise until it is ready to be released back into the wild.

10/12/2024

A Spoonbill presented to our hospital with a swollen wing and unable to fly. Radiographs revealed an infectious osteopathy at the elbow! Our team of veterinarians and students administered medication and secured the wing in a bandage to stabilize the joint while it heals.

10/10/2024

Pictured is a Chuck-Will's-Widow, a species from the Nightjar family of birds. Nightjars have characteristically short broad wings, long tail feathers, and wide mouths. Chuck-Will's-Widows are the largest species of Nightjar in North America, and boast excellent camouflage! This individual has successfully healed from its injuries and been transferred to a rehab facility to prepare for its release to the wild!

10/08/2024

Today we are highlighting one of our patients, a Pekin Duck, with a chronic malunion of its right tibiotarsus bone.

The tibiotarsus is a special bone found only in birds. A chronic malunion of the tibiotarsus indicates that this duck broke its leg at least 2 weeks ago and began to heal abnormally. Our team of veterinarians and vet students surgically removed the abnormal bone and placed a modified Robert Jones bandage and Type-2 External Fixator so the bone will heal properly.

10/06/2024

Did you know that a baby Opossum is called a "Joey"?

This Opossum joey presented without its mother to our hospital slightly dehydrated and thin but otherwise in good health. It will remain in human care at our facility and later at a trusted rehab facility until it is old enough to survive on its own in the wild. Opossums normally become independent when they are 4 months old.

10/04/2024

A Southern Flying Squirrel pup presented to our hospital on September 30 after being attacked by a domestic cat. We found multiple puncture wounds in his thorax. These wounds are extremely difficult to overcome for a small mammal, and especially difficult for a developing squirrel pup! Cat-related injuries are a frequent occurrence among our patients.

Domestic cats are a primary concern in the fields of bird and small mammal conservation. It is estimated that cats are responsible for billions of bird and small mammal deaths in the USA. Research for reptile and amphibian species is scarce but suggest similar trends.
https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2380

10/03/2024

to one of our former patients almost a year ago today, a Canada Goose!

10/02/2024

Have you ever seen an Opossum take a nap?

This Opossum presented to our hospital after she was struck by a car, causing subluxation (dislocation) of her right radius. Our team of veterinarians and veterinary students placed a cast to hold the radius in place as it heals. In the meantime, she has been eating well, hydrating, and recharging with supportive therapy until she is healthy and ready to go back to the wild!

09/30/2024

Happy Belated Birthday to Dr. Mark Mitchell, director of the LSU Wildlife Hospital! Thank you so much for all that you do for our patients, veterinary staff, and veterinary students!

Address

Skip Bertman Drive
Baton Rouge, LA
70803

Telephone

+12255789600

Website

https://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/veterinary_hospital/services/wildlife_hospital/index.php

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Videos

We Build Teams That Win For Louisiana LSU Vet Med’s world-renowned Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana teamed with LSU Head Football Coach Brian Kelly for our latest eagle release. The female eagle arrived in October with dehydration and a fracture in her left coracoid bone, which helps with flight. Faculty, staff, and students provided the eagle with treatment, pain relief, and cage rest. She is now fully flighted and released back into the wild. Thank you to Coach Kelly, LSU Athletics, Dr. Mark Mitchell, and our entire Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana team for joining together as we protect Louisiana’s most beautiful natural treasures! #LSU #WeProtect #Wildlife #veterinarymedicine #GeauxTigers

Bruce is starting his week off right by catching some morning sun! Happy Monday everyone! #LSUSVM #LSUVetMed #WeHeal #WeTeach #WeProtect

Happy friday everyone! Continuing with the theme of releases we have had recently. Here class of 2027 junior co-chair in training Charlotte Lea and third year co-chair Patrik Rollefson are releasing two barred owls. For backstory, one of these patients presented in October with visual issues, and it was determined that this was due to a cataract present in the right eye. This cataract was likely to continue to recur and cause issues, so this eye was eviscerated to prevent any further problems from developing. The other owl arrived in September with fractures of multiple bones in the right shoulder, which were stabilized with bandaging and allowed time to heal. After a bit of time in the hospital and rehab in the flight cages to build back strength, these two owls were ready for their second chances! #WeProtect #WeHeal #WeTeach