Here is something interesting. It states some of the symptoms of WNV in birds and also shows a possible cure!!!
08/03/04 -- GenoMed, Inc. (Pink Sheets: GMED), a Next Generation Disease Management(TM) company that uses its expertise in genomics to improve clinical outcomes in as many species as possible, announced today that its patent-pending treatment appears to have saved the country's first Great Horned Owl from presumed West Nile virus encephalitis.
Marge Gibson, Executive Director of Raptor Education Group, Inc. in Antigo, Wisconsin ( www.raptoreducationgroup.org ) is using GenoMed's approach to treat American bald eagles and other large raptors. On July 21st, a female Great Horned Owl was brought in. The owl was sick, lying down frequently and having occasional seizures. The owl turned her head constantly and her eyes were unfocused, suggesting that she had vestibular neuritis, or inflammation of the balancing organ of the brain. She acted dazed and refused to eat on her own. She had to be tube-fed. Last Friday, July 30th, Ms. Gibson was finally able to get a sample of an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), and gave a dose to the owl. In Ms. Gibson's experience, no Great Horned Owl had ever survived West Nile virus before.
The next morning, Ms. Gibson came in to euthanize the owl, assuming it would be even closer to death. But the Great Horned Owl was standing in her cage with her eyes focused for the first time, and her head held still. When Ms. Gibson offered it a dead mouse she had in her hand for another patient, the owl gobbled it down, followed quickly by another mouse.
Ms. Gibson quickly emailed other raptor rescue groups about the good news.
Said Dr. David Moskowitz, GenoMed's CEO and Chief Medical Officer, "West Nile virus encephalitis looks the same under the microscope in different species. So we'd been hoping that the same treatment would work for birds and horses, as well as for people with an intact immune system. It's reassuring to have dramatic confirmation like this. The response in immunocompetent humans has been just as fast."
Added Dr. Moskowitz, "I really hope more people will hear about our free trial. Every death from West Nile virus saddens me. I can't help thinking, 'If only that person or their family member or friend had heard about our trial in time.'"
To enroll in GenoMed's free trial, just click on the "West Nile trial" link at www.genomedics.com .
I e-mailed the doctor to enlist in the free trial for falconers and rehabbers.....We'll see what happens... ;D
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day; give him a religion................ and he'll starve to death while praying for a fish."
Post by malcularius on Jun 8, 2008 23:53:09 GMT -5
if you are trained in what to look for WNV does leave very distinct leasions in the eyes. if you have an instrument to look at their eyes that may be of some use to you.
I know alot of us have hopes of trapping the perfect bird this year. Anyone have advice on how to identify if a passage bird has WNV?
I don't think you'd be trapping a passage hawk that already has WNV. You'd likely find the sick bird sitting on the ground. But once bird is in hand:
Signs I've observed in rehab: - Sits fluffed and listless, head hangs, closes eyes - Depressed, very tame, little to no bating - Hides in dark shelter, light sensitivity (& headache?) - No appetite & signs of dehydration (skin tenting, flattening of eye orbs) - VERY FAST weight loss to emaciation level - Later stages: blindness, paralysis of one or more limbs, seizures, constant molting (premature molt in immy birds), shock marks to growing plumage (or pinching out of all new feathers).
Since 2001, I've used Metacam (or Meloxicam) to reduce brain inflamation, swelling, and pain (worked for some patients in the last stages). It's commonly used for head trauma patients. Rehab maintenance: IM hyrdration, tube feedings, and general comfort care.
