#wildxrays

It's finally here! Idexx's DR 1417 Digital Radiography Machine has been installed and is up and running in TWC's radiology lab, taking fast, clear and accurate images of the injured wildlife that come through our doors. We can't believe the difference in the speed quality of the images--what an improvement it's making in the care of our patients! Check out the video to see the machine on its "maiden voyage".

A raccoon rushed into Toronto Wildlife Centre after she was found stuck in the housing of a pot light. She was immediately anaesthetized by the TWC veterinary team and taken into surgery, where veterinarian Dr. Heather Reid checked the skin around the light housing, which was stuck firmly around the raccoon's middle. She then carefully began cutting through the metal and the housing was removed.

The raccoon was taken straight to our radiology lab for x-rays, so that the vets could ensure that there was no internal damage. Happily, her x-rays look great (barring a black line right through one of them, a problem that's becoming more and more frequent)!

You Did It!

Thanks to your generous contributions and hard work spreading the word, we've not only reached our goal, but surpassed it! Amazing!!! We'll be able to replace the x-ray machine that has been making diagnosing sick and injured wild animals so difficult for Toronto Wildlife Centre vets. What an incredible feat—you all deserve a huge THANK YOU from us and all of the urban wildlife that you're helping to save.

Even more amazingly, donations are still coming in. Indiegogo will run this campaign until our set end date of November 17th, and every contribution to this campaign will continue to go towards a newer and better-quality x-ray machine.

We had a very interesting patient getting x-rays today—a double-crested cormorant. This prehistoric-looking diving bird, widespread across North America, was admitted skinny and dehydrated after being found lying by the side of the highway in Vaughan. He was given a thorough assessment by TWC's veterinary team, and had a test waddle around the assessment room (Image 2) so our experts could determine whether he had any problems with his legs. He seemed to walk and spread his wings just fine, and was taken to be x-rayed to ensure that there was no internal damage, and that he hadn't swallowed any fishing hooks or lead sinkers. 

Happily everything is where it should be (Image 1)! He is currently resting and will be treated for dehydration and low weight, while TWC veterinarians and rehabilitation staff monitor his progress. We're hoping for the best for him!

Another busy day in the Toronto Wildlife Centre x-ray lab—4 more migratory birds that had hit buildings, plus a Northern Cardinal who was having trouble flying. The cardinal's x-ray revealed problems with his coracoid and scapula (bones that support the shoulder), so he was given a painkiller and is on cage rest while he heals. TWC vets were required to take one of his x-rays twice due to poor and grainy image quality, a big problem with our smaller patients.

This wood thrush was one of 6 migratory birds x-rayed at Toronto Wildlife Centre today. All had collided with buildings along their migratory route. The wood thrush`s x-rays revealed a fractured clavicle, and he was prescribed a painkiller and lots of cage rest while he heals.

We were lucky to not have any issues with our x-ray machine today—but it`s breaking down and issues are becoming more and more frequent.

Currently in care: This pigeon was given a splint after x-rays revealed a minor fracture in his tibiotarsus. He is healing well and will soon have his splint removed and go into a larger aviary with other pigeons where he can socialize.