Cutaneous Myiasis as a Complication to Wound Healing in an Adult Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
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An adult bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was presented to the Wildlife Health Center on September 13, 2016 by two Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Officers. The bird had been found down and covered in maggots. On intake, the bird was mentally dull, tachypneic (RR 85 BrPM), bradycardic (HR 180 BPM), severely dehydrated, and had severe myiasis of both wings. The bird was in good body condition and had cutaneous wing wounds that were infested with maggots. The only other physical abnormalities were some minor scrapes on the dorsal aspect of both talons and a palpable, ilTegular, hard swelling of the right tibiotarsus just proximal to the tarsal joint. Intake blood work showed marked heterophilopenia with a degenerative left shift and mild anemia. Radio graphs revealed an old, healed fracture of the right tibiotarsus and no other major abnonnalities. Screening for lead, Acetylcholinesterase activity, and barbiturates revealed no evidence of clinical toxicity. West Nile Virus serum neutralization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were negative. No primary predisposing cause for the bird's debilitation and injuries was elucidated, but differentials for "down" raptors will be discussed. The bird was treated with several weeks of antibiotics, supportive care and intensive wound management, resulting in healing of the wounds and resolution of the maggot infestation. The bird was sent to a wildlife rehabilitator and lost to follow-up. In January 2017, the rehabilitator reported that the bird had been euthanized due to poor wound healing.