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24 May 2019 Successful, Full-Thickness Skin Graft in a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Lauren P. Kane, Trenton C. Shrader, R. Coleen Stice
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

A subadult, male bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was evaluated after being found unable to fly, with large eschars on the dorsal head and right stifle. Because of the appearance and location, the lesions were believed to be caused by an electrical injury. Treatment included oral antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain medication, surgical debridement of the eschars, and trephining of the affected inner table of the cranium. A full-thickness skin graft was performed to expedite wound healing and minimize holding time. After 6 weeks, the bird had new feather growth on its dorsal head and was released. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of a nonmesh, full-thickness skin graft in an avian species. Full-thickness skin grafts should be considered as a surgical option in juvenile or adult avian patients with large dorsal head wounds.

© 2019 by the Association of Avian Veterinarians
Lauren P. Kane, Trenton C. Shrader, and R. Coleen Stice "Successful, Full-Thickness Skin Graft in a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)," Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 33(2), 184-188, (24 May 2019). https://doi.org/10.1647/2017-323
Published: 24 May 2019
KEYWORDS
Avian
Bald Eagle
electrocution
full-thickness
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
raptor
skin graft
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