Screech Gets a Nose Job

From Carolina Raptor Center

Our Raptor Hospital recently admitted a young Eastern Screech Owl who seemed perfectly healthy, but had been found grounded inside a cat enclosure. That clue led our team to suspect the owl had an unfortunate encounter with a cat. Cat saliva carries bacteria that can harm small wildlife, so our team immediately started preventative antibiotics and close observation.

We soon discovered a wound forming on the owl's face. A full exam revealed that the injury was on the cere, the soft tissue above the beak where the nostrils are, and part of the bone was exposed.

Our team quickly got to work, applying a Duoderm wound dressing to protect the bone, keep the area moist, and promote healthy skin growth. After several weeks of treatment and antibiotics, this little owl made a complete recovery and was released back into the wild at the end of September!