Blood transfusion saves eagle

Photo: Madis Leivits

The sea eagle, now for a few weeks nurtured at Estonian University of Life Sciences clinic, was as good as a goner. Luckily, a fellow of said species just happened to be in for treatment at his side. Thus, the rare bird got a historic first Estonian transmission for eagles – and another chance at life.

«I don’t ever remember a sea eagle with such poor blood,» admitted veterinarian Madis Leivits, one to help numerous injured bird rarities over the years.

In the blood of a healthy eagle, he continued, red blood cells are 40 percent, while this one had eight percent. Blood proteins were worse still: the usual being over 35 grams per litre, our eagle having only two.

At death’s door

The bird was found at Lake Kahala, Harju County. The Environmental Board people took it to the Tallinn Zoo first. With its head tilted right and complaining ominously, after initial inspection the eagle was sent to Tartu, to be treated by Madis Leivits, related Tallinn Zoo PR-person Inari Leiman.

Mr Leiman added that an eagle brought to them was quite an event, a very rare one for the institution. At nesting season, injured seagulls and pigeons are sometimes brought over, but the zoo treats these not.

According Madis Leivits, the eagle – once in Tartu – was meek and quiet, very easy to deal with. The bird was prone to fall over, no longer able to rise, and about to breathe its last. For the first days, Mr Leivits went to the cage with a heavy heart – is it alive still. Now, the critical phase is past. 

The patient, having lost a large part of its body weight, would very likely have been laid to rest by now – had it not been for a fellow sea eagle treated at the clinic. Mr Leivits took 28 millilitres of blood from the large female eagle of over five kilograms, transfusing this to the dying one. The few drops worked a miracle. Health improved rapidly and, last weekend, tube-feeding was needed no longer. Time for solid food again. The bird is thankful for meat and fish alike, and is gaining weight.

«Now, it’s getting nicely fierce again,» said Mr Leivits, deeming this to be a sign of life. Whenever possible, the bird is eager to peck and, a couple of days ago, pierced the doctor’s very sweater. Despite the fact, the course of the treatment and outcome thereof are difficult to predict. It’s back to nature only when fully recovered. «When it can get food, keep itself from predators, and mate,» said Mr Leivits.

Diagnosis pending

The bird probably got poisoned, but for the time being bird flu or a head trauma can’t be ruled out either. According to Mr Leivits, the veterinarians focussed on saving the bird’s life, not bothering too much to diagnose. That’ll come later.

Yesterday, a third sea eagle dropped by to see Dr Leivits. Found on the island of Muhu, its symptoms also point to poisoning. The first ever blood transfusion was a positive experience. «I see no reason why not do this again,» he said, hinting at a possible treatment.

Another bird available for transfusion is far from the usual, at the clinic. To see about donor blood supply, Mr Leivits hopes for enhanced future cooperation with Tallinn Zoo – a place quite abounding with local birds of prey. 

When happening upon an injured eagle, people often make the mistake of leaving it in the barn for a couple of days to wait and see how it does. However, help must be sought at once. Another disservice will be feeding the bird with hunting products shot by ammunition of lead. For an eagle, lead equals severe poisoning.

Last year, Mr Leivits had nine sea eagles brought to him, none of whom he was able to save. Since January, feels like time has come to soar.