Rook Isla (Republished)

Rook Isla

Introducing Corvid Isle Sanctuary Residents

Editor’s note: This post has originally been posted on 31st August 2022, and has now been updated and republished.

Isla joined us in June 2022 as a nestling after being rescued by well-meaning but inexperienced people. We do not know a lot about Isla’s story other than that she has been found as a presumed orphan. We understand that the carer struggled increasingly to raise Isla. Eventually, two weeks later, the carer brought Isla to a local bird rescue. The team recognised immediately that Isla was in great trouble, and that she would require long term care. Subsequently, we have been asked to take Isla into our care, which we did.

Juvenile Rook Isla
Rook Isla after her first bath

Coexistence of Multiple Health Conditions

At admission Isla showed signs of a generalised infection. She was very lethargic and dehydrated. We found extensive soft tissue swellings involving hock, ankle and foot joints whilst sparing all wing joints. Several small pressure sores were already present. Obscured by the marked joint swelling, we also noticed an unusual deformity of Isla’s right-sided hock and ankle joint being suggestive of older fractures.

Continue reading “Rook Isla (Republished)”

Rook Isla

Rook Isla
Editor's note: An updated and republished version of this blog post is available by following the link below.

Rook Isla (Republished)

Isla joined us recently at nestling age after being rescued by well-meaning but inexperienced people. We do not know a lot about Isla’s story other than that she has been found as a presumed orphan. We understand that the carer struggled increasingly to raise Isla. After about two weeks they gave up and brought Isla eventually to a local bird rescue, who recognised immediately that Isla was in great trouble. Subsequently, we have been asked to take over Isla’s longterm care and rehabilitation, which we did.

Juvenile Rook Isla
Rook Isla after her first bath

Coexistence of Multiple Health Conditions

After a thorough assessment we found that Isla showed signs of a septicaemia with undulating temperatures. She also demonstrated extensive soft tissue swellings involving hock, ankle and foot joints. Interestingly, Isla’s wing joints were completely preserved. Both very swollen hock joints showed already several small pressure sores. Additionally, obscured by the marked joint swelling, we also noticed an unusual deformity of Isla’s right-sided hock joint and foot, which rather looked like a traumatic injury than a congenital deformity or simple involvement by the coexisting inflammatory joint disease. It was difficult to ascertain the exact pathology due to the severity of joint and soft tissue swelling. However, careful physical examination showed a lack of sensation and power in the injured foot, which made it likely that a trauma has caused at least part of the hock joint swelling, having also lead to a nerve injury. Also, it seemed very likely that Isla has suffered a spinal contusion, as she showed a slight weakness in both legs, whilst both hip joints remained unaffected by joint infection and lack of power. Not unexpected in Isla’s case, as her immune system was clearly overwhelmed, we found her suffering of an external and internal parasite infestation.

Continue reading “Rook Isla”