An American beaver came to the Wildlife Care Center late last month. The beaver was found injured along the east bank of the Willamette River under the Burnside Bridge and was captured and brought to Portland Audubon by an Oregon State Police officer.
Although the animal had multiple, deep puncture wounds on her back, she remained bright and active. Abscesses had formed at the wound sites due to bacterial infection. The wounds were cleaned and surgically debrided by local veterinarian, Dr. Bethany Groves, and a culture was taken from the wound. Unfortunately, the bacteria growing are resistant to many antibiotic therapies.
In addition to the puncture wounds, the beaver was found to have a distended belly due to fluid accumulation in the abdomen. This fluid could be a sign of an underlying condition or illness that rendered the beaver more susceptible to attack by a predator in the first place. Cornell Center Animal Hospital has generously offered to ultrasound the beaver so that we might gain insight as to the source of the abdominal fluid. The ultrasound is scheduled for this coming week.
About beavers: American beavers (Castor canadensis) are North America’s largest rodent and are aptly nicknamed “nature’s architect”. Beaver dams can slow the course of a river or stream and cause silt and soil to accumulate to the point that a wetland and eventually a meadow may develop. This kind of ecosystem alteration provides critical habitat for many kinds of animals including species of fish, turtles and birds. Mainly nocturnal, beavers forage for food on land at night and retreat to their watery lodges for protection from predators during the day.
February 19, 2011 - American Beaver
Beaver Ultrasound - Cornell Center Animal Hospital
Today we sedated the beaver and transported to Cornell Center Animal Hospital where Dr. Veronica Verdoliva performed an ultrasound. Dr. Verdoliva, found no free fluids in the abdomen and all other tissues examined appeared healthy and functioning within normal limits. Cornell Center also provided a new set of radiographs taken at their hospital; the Xrays appeared normal.
With regular, thorough cleaning and debriding, the original puncture wounds have healed almost completely with just very small scabs remaining on the surface of the skin. The beaver remains bright and active and there is a good prognosis for release very soon.
A very special thank you to the doctors and staff of Cornell Center Animal Hospital, for donating their time and expertise in treating the beaver.
(Photo caption (left to right): Dr. Veronica Verdoliva, Kathy Logan, Dr. Bethany Groves, Kristina Raum) Photo credit: Cornell Center Animal Hospital
February 20, 2011 - American Beaver
The beaver was released today along the east bank of the Willamette River close to where it was found. The beaver immediately entered the water upon release and swam upstream periodically inspecting the east bank along the way. Photo by Kristina Raum
For more information visit audubonportland.org under their "currently in the wildlife car center" section.
