X-Rays to Help Injured Wildlife

We can't fix broken animals with a broken x-ray machine! Help Toronto Wildlife Centre buy a new x-ray unit to help thousands of wild patients every year. Click to Donate

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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".

You made this happen, and we can't thank you enough. This will be our last post on Indiegogo, but be sure to keep following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and see how your contribution continues to help urban wildlife every day!

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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)!

Learn more at: http://igg.me/at/wildxrays

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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.

See the campaign at: http://igg.me/at/wildxrays

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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!

Learn more at: http://igg.me/at/wildxrays

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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.

Learn how you can help at: http://igg.me/at/wildxrays

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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.

Learn how you can help at: http://igg.me/at/wildxrays

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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.

Visit http://igg.me/at/wildxrays to learn how you can help.

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A call came in to TWC late in the day about this coyote, lying motionless but breathing in a park in Pickering. The TWC Rescue Team rushed to the scene and found the coyote caught in a snare, which was wound around his neck and cutting deep into his mouth. He was quickly brought into the centre where x-rays revealed broken teeth but no internal damage. He underwent 5 soft tissue surgeries to his mouth and paw and was released a month later, healthy and strong. 

Visit http://igg.me/at/wildxrays to learn how you can help.

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Like in any hospital, taking x-rays is essential in diagnosing patients. Every day people bring us sick and injured wild animals, and we give them the care they need. Now we need your help to make sure that care continues.

Visit igg.me/at/wildxrays

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Found limping on the ground, this fledgling green heron’s leg was dangling and appeared broken. X-rays showed a bad break in his tibia and fibula, and he was sent into surgery where TWC vets aligned the bones and attached a splint to keep them in position while he healed.

Visit http://igg.me/at/wildxrays to learn how you can help.

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The finder of this snapping turtle witnessed her getting run over by a car. Rushing over to the turtle he found her face was bleeding, and rushed her into TWC. X-rays showed not only a fractured jaw, but a clutch of 29 eggs inside of her. TWC vets repaired the jaw fracture and the mother turtle was given a large sand pit in her enclosure to lay her eggs in while she healed.

Visit http://igg.me/at/wildxrays to learn how you can help.

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This baby red fox was brought to TWC when members of the public found him on the side of the road, hungry and dehydrated. The fox’s irregular gait prompted the TWC veterinary team to take x-rays, which revealed a minor spinal injury consistent with being hit by a car. He was kept in care with other young foxes while he recovered.

Visit http://igg.me/at/wildxrays to learn how you can help.

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1. Veterinary Technician Beth Pielsticker checks the x-ray settings while Dr. Sherri Cox positions a Canada goose for a look at her wing.

2. Beth Pielsticker tapes down the goose’s wing to keep it spread out during her x-ray. Limbs and tails are often gently taped for x-rays to ensure that the patient stays in position.

3. Dr. Sherri Cox slides the digital x-ray cartridge from beneath the goose for processing. Digital x-ray machines can process a clear image in just seconds!

4. Veterinary Technician Beth Pielsticker and Head TWC Veterinarian Dr. Sherri Cox examine a Canada goose’s x-ray, while a veterinary student ensures that the goose keeps receiving anaesthetic.

Visit http://igg.me/at/wildxrays to learn how you can help.

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Donate and help spread the word.

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This raccoon was found taking refuge on a residential roof, in too much pain to walk. She had a yellow plastic band stuck around her paw. The TWC rescue team contained her and brought her in for a full assessment and x-rays, which revealed the extent of her injury: deep bone constriction of her left leg, causing abnormal bone growth.

Visit http://igg.me/at/wildxrays to learn how you can help.