February 2006

LOG-BOOK:

News about the Bird-flu is printed in red !

February 1^st:  the Shelduck was 855 gram (+15), the Hedge-hog 750 (+10), the Goshawk 1005 (+45), the Barn Owl 390 (+22) and the Buzzard topped everything: 720 (+50) gram. Because of our weekly visit to the masseuse hardly any “productivity” this morning. Around midday 2 visitors from the U.K. (but living in Eressós) > had just had a bad experience with a Greek Vet (to take some blood there had to be pricked 8 times) and so they came to ask us if we could “de-father” that dog > agreed for February 9^th. During the simultaneously given “excursion” we discovered in the Barn Owl-aviary in “The Keep” a dead Barn Owl on the ground > had been the past days already a little bit “strange”. Showed to be a Tyto a. alba with 1 wing > we had her already from before our arrival over here (2001). Was really bone-thin. Which bird exactly it was, we’ll figure-out later. In any case after 1999.   The “concourse” of new patients doesn’t only have consequences for the amount of daily consumed meat, but as well “cleaning-technical” ! The Buzzard is laying on her belly (so should be cleaned more than normal); the Shelduck is a “wet-shoveler” , but the Goshawk caps everything: that species isn’t shitting like the Buzzards (so downwards), but is lifting the tail and is really “shooting”. So every day scrubbing the cage from the sealing till the bottom, but as well mopping the floor several times a day > just like a Maina she is relieving herself through the netting into the free space; till about 1 meter from the cage one can find the huge white shooting-results!

February 2^nd:  the Shelduck remained the same (855 gram), the Hedge-hog had diminished (735 gram), the Goshawk had gained (1030 gram), as well the Barn Owl (394 gram) and the Buzzard was 750 gram. The latter can use her good leg “quite well” > poor fingers !! Just before 7 a.m. there was again a power-cut and that lasted till after 8 a.m. > just while the Central Heating was busy to bring the house a bit more comfortable !! Only the cleaning of the cages for avian-patients is taking at the moment 5 quarters of an hour !! And after that there are the cages of the Dog-fox, who doesn’t like it so much while one is busy standing on a stool to give the Barn Owl a clean cage > the head through the self-bitten hole in the netting and peering upwards: “should those <crown-jewels> be tasty ?”  Even so that’s giving  “thrilling feelings” !!

February 3^rd:  the yesterday “penetrated finger” is quite swollen > we even had to remove the ring !! The Shelduck was 860 gram, the Hedge-hog 760 gram, the Goshawk 1105 gram (!!), the Barn Owl 380 gram and the Buzzard 780 gram. Because our deaf white Tom-cat “Alba” (05-185; August 3^rd ’05) started to have quite a lot of problems with his testosterone, he was today successfully “delivered” from 2 superfluous parts (in spite of a stiff index-finger on our side). The on January 29^th taken-back Pigeon is starting to stand on her legs again; the same is happening with the Buzzard. The “Buzzard-aviary” was prepared for the “receipt” of the Goshawk tomorrow (more thick roosts) > let’s hope it will hit it off a bit between those three.

February 4^th:  the Shelduck is growing steadily: 870 gram. The Hedge-hog remained the same and the Goshawk was 1120 gram. The Barn Owl was 384 gram (is eating well during the night) and the Buzzard is 820 gram. The Goshawk was transferred at 7.50 a.m. to the Buzzard-aviary and one hour later still everything was going well (although we couldn’t say the Buzzards were “very wild” about her coming). The taken-back Pigeon (see as well yesterday) is standing completely well on het legs. Now some days having a good look at her and she can go back. From the netting between the cage of the Dog-fox and the Intensive Care is in the meantime as good as nothing left; let’s hope we are able to keep him till the beginning of March > he knows meanwhile darned well where is the latch and is trying every time to open the door. If, unfortunately, he should succeed, the Shelduck is experiencing some very exiting moments !! And we as well even more, because how can we get him back ?? The dead White Barn Owl, discovered on February 1^st, hasn’t been so long in our possession according to our records. It was one of three disabled Barn Owls we took-over from our colleague-hospital on Páros on July 6^th 2002 (02-157c). This one came-in over here with two wings, but the left was hanging and the bird stepped on (and stumbled over) it all the time. So we had to amputate the wing over here at the time. Had arrived on Páros shot-down and the wing-fracture had “refused” to heal. At 11.30 a.m. a phone-call from Mytiléne about (probably) a gull > will be send by coach. At 1 p.m. again a phone-call from the same person: the given advice hadn’t reached the finder, because she hadn’t waited for the response-call and had left the house on her way to a Vet . . . . Nothing was heard anymore; even not from any Vet at all. At 5 p.m. the Goshawk was taken back to her “sleeping-cage” > it started to be a little bit “noisy” in that aviary.

February 5^th:  we didn’t measure the Goshawk anymore. The Shelduck was 875 gram, but the Hedge-hog had diminished: 730 gram. The Barn Owl remained the same and the Buzzard was 835 gram. We took back the Scop’s Owl (05-240; November 30^th ’05) from the aviary in the House-next-door because of eating not so well anymore. Early in the morning the Goshawk was “let out” again. The taken-back Pigeon went back to the Pigeon-cage in “The Keep”; the same way went the Rock Dove (05-247; December 26^th ’05) and the Pigeon (06-011; January 25^th ’06). The first of those was flying at once again (came-in with injuries on one leg and on the back), but the second (luxation & fracture left shoulder) will probably remain invalid. Around midday we were able to remove from the shot-hole in the beak of the Buzzard some feathers > now this can close itself better. Other injuries we’ll do tomorrow. Because the weather worsened, we took at the same time the disabled members of the crow-family back inside. The Goshawk couldn’t (yet) find a rain-free place, so she was taken back in at 3 p.m. The little Tom-cat “Sjemó” is since yesterday refusing to eat > we’re trying everything, but it seems if he has lost courage.

February 6^th:  at 5.50  a.m. we discovered the little “Sjemó” very quiet and stiff in his night-cage and there was only a very small bit of life present . . . .  The taken-back Scop’s indeed had diminished > was now 88 gram and hadn’t eaten. The Shelduck remained the same, but the Hedge-hog was, after having “rebuild” his whole cage and having his through overfilled with “bedding”, quite diminished: 720 gram. The Barn Owl was 385 gram and the Buzzard topped everything with 855 gram. The same bird showed to have, when we checked the injuries, not one open fracture of the wing, but two: as well the humerus has an open fracture as the radius / ulna. All those injuries were “plastered with Dermisol-cream”. From the shot-hole in the pelvis we were able to remove lots of feathers.

At 8.20 a.m. only a very small heart-beat could be heard (total-bloc); other reflexes had gone already. So we helped a little bit with 20 IU T-61 with the prayer that in a new life won’t appear any more idiots with shot-guns . . . . .  During the morning we could “collect” on the Post-office a parcel, send by (& filled by) the Foundation for Animal-help in Venezuela > quite a lot of materials for the Surgery, under which lots of stitching-needles (we were almost “empty” with those !) but as well lots of instruments. The whole morning busy with sorting, grading and storing. Around 1 p.m. a phone-call from the Vet Myrsíni Tourvalí from Mytiléne about . . . . . indeed, the “gull” from Saturday > will now be send by coach (we hope). Came indeed > was injured on the neck, and nothing was done . . . . When we informed later that Vet about the injury, the comment was: “Oh, he was shot ? We had thought it was a cat-bite !”  We should like to meet the first cat who dares to attack an adult Yellow-legged Gull, but OK ! But even no therapy was given for that presumable cat-bite (anti-biotics e.g.) > only “thinking” seems to be sufficient, in stead of a decent examination !! And that after a post-graduate study in England !!  At 10.30 p.m. it started snowing again . . . .

February 7^th: and again we woke up in a white world . . . . !! All patients were still alive: the Yellow-legged Gull stood jaunty on both legs, and we even were able to feed a bit. The Scop’s had gained some weight (90 gram), but the Shelduck had diminished a lot: 855 gram (by the way, she is hardly any more to measure, so wild she is. So the result ??). The Hedge-hog hadn’t “reconstructed” any more and had gained: 760 gram. The Barn Owl was 382 gram and the Buzzard 890 gram. At 6.40 a.m. both planned castrations were cancelled (for the 2^nd time) due to heavy snow-fall. In the (damaged) box with instruments etc. for the surgery there were several stainless needle-boxes > from those meanwhile 3 were stripped of their “interior” and so we have created 3 boxes in which we can sterilize instruments only for castrations. Two for the “Tom-cat-balls” and one for the (bigger) Dog-testicles. This “interior-stripping” we had to do outside with an electric tool > while the snow is howling around one’s ears, not exactly a pleasure ! And with such a kind of weather the electricity-company Δ.Ε.Η. was cutting the power for more than 2 hours for the whole island . . . . and it became cold; ice-cold in the house ! In the terrarium with little tortoises some animals had even digged-in themselves . . . . ! Due to the bad weather-conditions we had to take-in in any case for the night, the (disabled ??) Hooded Crow (05-107; June 6^th ’05). He/she has a feather-problem (they constantly are breaking) and the poor soul couldn’t even reach the top of the aviary anymore. Late in the evening a phone-call from Chíos (from an English woman over there) about bad conditions for animals (mal-treatment, poisonings and slaughtering without shooting first) > directed to the “Athens News”.

February 8^th:  was yesterday almost all that “white lot” thawed away, last night it was freezing and this morning it was snowing again > so the road was impassable again. The Shelduck is not any longer measurable > with her sharp nails she is scratching one’s arms till it’s bleeding. The Scop’s was 94 gram and the Hedge-hog 750 gram. The Barn Owl was 378 gram and the Buzzard 885 gram. The Greek Weather-forecast said: isolated snow-fall; we don’t know how isolated we’re living here, but the first hours it was definitely here !! And  “making the party a complete success”, the electricity-company Δ.Ε.Η. cut the power again at 10.10 a.m. . . . . . .  Yesterday it seemed to have been such an “Electricity-mess” on the island, that we even were in the National News bulletin on TV > one can rejoice in that !! Only at midday we had again (for how long ??) power back. For our two kittens “Sterretje = Starlet” (05-155b) and “Spotje = Spotty” (05-156) there is found a new home > we’ll take care of the neutering before they’ll leave. Via the Village-loudspeaker-system we were informed that, due to the weather-conditions, in any case up to and including tomorrow hunting is forbidden. As well we were told that we can expect in the coming days more times with power-cuts; only they couldn’t inform us when neither how long. Our Yellow-legged Gull was outside in the open air for a quarter of an hour: is using its wings well, only isn’t yet eating by himself. In the afternoon we discovered the shot-hole where the pellet had left the body > that it took so long to discover such an injury, is because of the “nice bill” of this species. The chimney on top of the roof of the House-next-door has definitively “breathed it’s last” > this piece with-mortar-glued-together brick-work was already quite damaged by the tempests and the cold of the previous month, now we discovered the bricks on the ground and so there is an opening in which water can come in. Finding a solution ??

What they told us about possible power-cuts, was correct indeed: after some minor power-cuts during the day (all computer-work straight “into the cyber-space” !!), at 8.26 p.m. there was a big one and it lasted till 9.35 p.m. > amazing how quick those central-heating-radiators are cooling down !! What was more annoying was the fact that on the moment of the power-cut a (recorded) video was playing > recorder finished & everything inside jammed !!

February 9^th:  the Scop’s was 96 gram and is going back to its aviary in the House-next-door today. The Hedge-hog had gained weight well (780 gram) and the Barn Owls was 396 gram !! Had eaten perfectly last night. As soon as the weather improves, she can go back to the Barn Owl-aviary as well. The Buzzard had gained weight with 30 gram and was 915 gram. Later in the morning we could remove some dead tissue out of the tongue-injury of the Buzzard > injury is healing further well, and the same is the case with the shot-injury in the pelvis. The wing is still “bull-shit”. Thanks to the weather-improving (although the forecast predicted again “isolated snow-showers”; let’s hope we’re not so “isolated” today) we could place some birds again in the open air: Jack-daws, Hooded Crow and even the Goshawk. We used the improvement of the weather to repair damaged-by-the-tempests shutters > at least 3 windows alone in our house (so 6 shutters) are quite damaged. The House-next-door can wait for a moment. This morning 1 shutter was repaired. The video-recorder was brought into repair; without that apparatus the TV in the kitchen isn’t working as well ! With only some very minor power-cuts, we survived the day without major electrical problems.

February 10^th:  we don’t trust so much our measurements of yesterday, because there were quite major differences this morning: the Hedge-hog was 740, The Barn Owl 372 and the Buzzard 855 gram. The first night back in its aviary in the House-next-door the Scop’s had eaten wonderful. Both kittens “Sterretje” (05-155b) and “Spotje” (05-156), the first from Pétra and the second from our village, but both from July ’05, have left the L.W.H. this morning for a new home in Dáfia. Their new owner (luckily no Greek) is an English woman > so good care-taking is guaranteed. This morning we were able to repair another shutter; due to the weather it  wasn’t yet possible to hang it. 3 Visitors (the people who came to take the kittens).

Of course in the evening there was again a power-cut (3 quarters of an hour), and that while all shops on the whole island still were open !! What a country, what a country ! And they dare to call themselves “a member of full value of the EU . . . . !! And there is no Branch-organization of Shop-keepers or such a kind of organization who dares to take the State-owned Electricity-company Δ.Ε.Η. into court; not to speak about “simple citizens” !!

February 11^th:  measurements with reserve > the Hedge-hog 760, the Barn Owl 382 and the Buzzard 875 gram. By the latter the injuries in the pelvis and the throat are closed well. The “pelvis-shot” however has probably caused a lot of damage in the spinal marrow > for because the tail is “curved” with regard to the back and although there is some “force” in the left leg, she can’t stand on that leg. The wing-injuries (4 !!) were cleaned and lots of dead tissue was removed. The Yellow-legged Gull is swallowing lots of fish a day, only . . . it’s still force-feeding. Due to a visit to the masseuse (delayed by the bad weather), and due to the rain over here not so productive today. First-Aid was given to a bitten Tom-cat.

On the Internet we could read the following:

H5N1 virus discovered in Italy and Greece

Edited: February 11^th  11 2006 1:28 p.m.   Last change: February 11^th   2006 7.11 p.m.

ROME/ATHENS - In Italy, Bulgaria and  Greece the  H5N1-variant  of the Bird-flu-virus is detected.  In those three countries dead Swans showed to be contaminated with the for humans dangerous variant. The European Union will have an emergency-meeting in Brussels Thursday and Friday. The Swans which are succumbed in Greece to the H5N1-virus, were discovered before close to the sea-port town of Sallonica in the North-East of the country.

See for the supplement of this message February 13^th. 

February 12^th:  the Hedge-hog was 750 gram, the Barn Owl 360 and the Buzzard 880 gram. The Scop’s had again eaten well and came, probably, out of the “dip”. Must keep up for another two weeks and a half and than: “release”. This morning we could hang down the last shutter (of that specific window) and made it fitting. Properly speaking it should be possible to release the Shelduck now, only the chance she is shot again is real (although there is hardly any hunting-activity on this moment > “long live” the bird-flu !). She knows exactly, when we are entering the Sick-bay, at what occasion she’ll receive her trough > she is waiting impatiently before the door of her cage !!

February 13^th:  the Hedge-hog was 785 gram, the Barn Owl 368 and the Buzzard remained 880 gram. The Scop’s had eaten all the given food and even the Yellow-legged Gull was biting eagerly to the presented fishes. The door leading from the street into our yard, not closing anymore due to the bad weather, is made fitting again.

Via the village-loudspeaker-system we were informed again about all rules poultry-keepers should abide by. As an extra was added, that there will be examinations if indeed all poultry is locked-in. A supplement to the message of February 11^th we’re placing here below:

Edited: February 13^th   2006 2:15 p.m. In Greece  two people with possible bird-flu were isolated, but tests proved that they aren’t contaminated with the virus. Meanwhile is clear that by one person it isn’t bird-flu.                                                                    

At 7.10 p.m. a phone-call from the Vet  Myrsíni Tourvalí  from Mytiléne about a Woodcock (??) with a broken wing > injury is already inflamed >  will be send tomorrow. At 7.39 p.m. e phone-call from Pétra about a cat with digestion-problems > was here at 8.30 p.m. and there were two of them.

February 14^th:  and again the weather-forecast had predicted snow for today ! The Hedge-hog was 755, the Barn Owl 376 and the Buzzard 900 gram. At 8 a.m. already a Dog was waiting to offer his “jewels”. Around 9 a.m. a phone-call from Pétra: one of the two cats was loosing blood out of her mouth and was quite cold > they are passing-by for the “Last Help”. This was later cancelled > one is going to wait a little bit longer.

We were informed via an newspaper, that on our neighbor-island Límnos (belonging to the same Nomarchía [= prefecture]  as we do) lots of dead birds are discovered; amongst others 15 dead Swans !! For examinations were send from that island 5 Swans, 2 Ducks, 1 Bittern, 1 Shag, 1 Blackbird, 1 Collared Dove and 2 Sparrows. One day later they have send another 2 swans and 1 duck for examinations.

From our colleague/hospital on Páros we heard that the transport of birds came completely to an halt > nothing is coming-in any more, because transport by ferry and/or plane is forbidden. Because we are still receiving some birds/animals from the island here, we’re probably the only (of the 4) Wildlife Hospital in Greece that’s still “working completely”.

Just after 2 p.m. we came in the possession of the Woodcock (after we first had bought a new stock of face-masks > one never knows, does one ??). At 5.50 p.m. the cat in the worst condition was back here > see further over there.

February 15^th:  everyone was still alive this morning !! The Hedge-hog was 770 gram, the Barn Owl 374 and the Buzzard 905 gram. The Woodcock came in with 234 gram, but had lost its wing (- 6 gram). In spite of this was 238 gram this morning ! We could remove a piece of dead bone-tissue (radius). The Scop’s had eaten well again. The temperature was the whole day below zero, so the water in the drinking-bowls was frozen all day. Due to a visit to the masseuse no other “labour” could be done.

February 16^th:  it’s still freezing, but all taken-in animals/birds are still alive (even the poisoned cat !). The Barn Owl is again not eating anymore  but only playing with the given food > was diminished till 358 gram. The Hedge-hog was 790 and the Buzzard 920 gram. The Woodcock was, in spite of extra presented living-food, diminished and was 226 gram. The Scop’s is doing well. The Buzzard however is real “bull-shit” > the wing-injuries won’t heal really, the left leg is still doing nothing and standing-up she still can’t. So the prognosis is . . . . ?? Just before 10 a.m. a phone-call from the shelter in Skála Eressoú about a doggie (epileptic) which was in coma > as good as possible advices were given.

According to the newspaper “Αιολικά Νέα”, there is discovered a dead swan in Plomári > the cause of death is still unknown. As well in the border-area with Turkey (Evrós-delta) lots of dead birds are discovered, amongst others as well birds of prey.

A phone-call from the Vet Yiánnis Tsakíris about an injured bird of prey > is discovered already yesterday, is “bull-shit” but that seems to be due of shot-pellets > so we’re on our way again . . . . Against 2 p.m. we had the Goshawk in our hands > see further over there.

February 17^th:  no frost this morning, but rain-showers ! All patients were still alive (hurrah !) The Barn Owl had eaten and was 388 gram. The Hedge-hog had re-build his cage again > buried his food > diminished till 760 gram. The Buzzard was 945 gram and the Woodcock had diminished (again) > 214 gram. Life food isn’t for sale here, so that’s going to be very difficult. The new Goshawk had gained 20 gram and was now 695 gram. We discovered the Scop’s (05-240; November 30^th ’05) this morning dead in het aviary; 2 weeks before we would release her. Maybe that her “re-intake” of February 5^th was already a “forerunner” > it took her probably too long. Body-weight was 92 gram, so . . P.M. is postponed till later.  Further inspections of the injuries of the new Goshawk showed the following: the fracture of the wing is open on both sides and the (as a shot-hole addressed ) injury under the jaw is a deep, dirty tear-injury. Has she flown against an object ?? Injuries treated as well with Dermisol-cream. The swelling around the left eye is diminishing (thanks to the CAF-cream). At the midday-feeding-round it showed that there is an injury on the back as well > reason ?? The second deceased today was the Woodcock > see there. Retrospectively a “luck”, because the food with which in Holland they are keeping those birds alive, isn’t for sale over here. And with an amputated wing it should have been a “remainer” after all.

February 18^th:  the Barn Owl was 374, the Hedge-hog 780, the Buzzard 950 and the new Goshawk was 710 gram. By the latter as well skin-injury discovered in the right knee > this certainly should point into the direction of being shot.

One of the boys from the village, Mílto, came with his ewe-lamb > was bitten by rats (?) > First Aid was given. One female visitor from our village.

February 19^th:  the Barn Owl was 376 gram, the Hedge-hog 820 and the new Goshawk 730 gram. The Buzzard however evidently doesn’t believe in a future anymore: in spite of the given physiotherapies (and there is improving in the use of the left leg) she started yesterday to give back the given food > so she had diminished with 90 gram and was this morning 855 gram !! Checking & treating the injuries of the new Goshawk, we discovered that the wing-injury had the smell of gangrene like hell > the prognosis isn’t so well anymore now. In the morning under total anesthetics by the dog  Prótos 18 too long nails were removed. And of course there was again a 2-hour power-cut !! The Buzzard (06-018; January 30^th ’06) had vomited the whole day all the given food and started to be lethargic > we had to put her down to spare her further (and longer) sufferings.

February 20^th:  the Hedge-hog had rebuild his cage again, so was only 790 gram. The new Goshawk remained the same (730 gram). Today the wing with gangrene will be amputated. The dog, which we on February 14^th had stripped of “for-reproduction-necessary-parts” came back today > had a excessive reaction on the used stitches > Tolfedine-tablets were given.

February 21^st:  the Hedge-hog was unchanged on 790 gram. The hew Goshawk (after the surgery 626 gram) had lost quite a lot due to a day not-eating: was 602 gram. So today extra-feedings. The old Goshawk has improved her flying-capacities in such a manner (she escaped well-flying out-of het cage !) that we are seriously thinking about a possible release the beginning of next month. The shot-down Collared Dove (05-243; December 10^th ’05 from Eressós) was moved-over today to the aviary. Has remained blind in 1 eye.

February 22^nd:  the Hedge-hog had reached his highest body-weight ever: 795 gram. The new Goshawk was almost back on her body-weight just after the surgery: 621 gram. Only: she has got a strange, white “batter” under her tongue and in the gullet. A phone-call from Arísvi from a woman, having one dog of her own (dog is in season ??) and now suddenly 14 stray dogs in her court-yard > “If we couldn’t do anything in this case ??” > so NO, and the phone-number of the “Animal-lovers Society of Lesvos” was given. A phone-call from the Agrotikí Stégi about a bird-of-prey, brought-in there from Mytiléne > picked-up. Only after the masseuse able to check the injuries > it was a “lucky one” because it could have been a lot worse. See further: Buzzard – I. At about 1.30 p.m. two Albanians from Ándissa with their auto car in front of our entrance . . . . an injured Buzzard: was discovered on the streets. See further: Buzzard – II.                                                                                                                                             

And from the internet-edition of the Greek Newspaper “Ekathimerini” the following:

AVIAN FLU  - Seventh wild bird in Greece tests positive for H5N1 strain                              A seventh wild bird has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, the Agriculture Ministry said yesterday after receiving test results from an EU laboratory in Britain. The dead swan was found near the village of Kryopigi on the Halkidiki peninsula. Regional authorities said they were implementing all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease to domestic poultry, which has yet to be affected

February 23^rd :  the Hedge-hog had grown till 815 gram, but the new Goshawk is doing not so well: 608 gram. The  “batter” under the tongue is growing. Buzzard –1- increased from 500 till 522 gram and the 2^nd Buzzard from 685 till 710 gram. We could remove lots of white “batter” from under the tongue of the new Goshawk > can be Trichomonadiosis (eaten an infected Pigeon ??), but as well Aspergillosis. In any case started with giving 1 tablet Spartrix. The amputation-injury smells well. The injury of Buzzard I is cleaning-up (smells well as well) and on the wing of Buzzard II there are only some blood-blisters > they will dry-up. As well over here the smell is good. In the evening we contacted by phone our colleague-hospital on Páros about the Goshawk: the most probable is indeed Trichomonadiosis. So tomorrow again 2 tablets Spartrix and again 3 after 15 days.

February 24^th:  the Hedge-hog had been employed in a “Wall-mart” again and had hardly eaten: 770 gram !! And that’s quick for one night !! Such a trick we should be able to sell to the “Weight-watchers” !! The new Goshawk was 622 gram (!!) and received, except from the last anti-biotics, as well the 2 Spartrix-tablets. Buzzard I had grown from 522 to 552 gram and Buzzard II from 710 to 785 gram. Around 8.30 a.m. a phone-call from the Agrotikí Stégi about an injured Heron > was delivered over there by the “State-Vet”. We gave the Shelduck the chance to take a real bath: we were soaking-wet, the duck was more white and the water quite brown !! After more than 6 days of strikes the ferries are sailing again and we, luckily, received the message from Mytiléne that  the super-market there is sending 6 pallets with tinned cat-food (96 tins !!) by private-car to us !! Maybe petrol is available soon as well . . . . . !! Quite late arrived our “Builder” Aad Ouwerkerk from Holland; he is coming to help us with all kinds of construction-work in the coming weeks.

February 25^th:  at 5 a.m. the Grey Heron was still alive present. The Hedge-hog hadn’t been constructing, but had eaten: 795 gram. The new Goshawk was 630 gram and Buzzard I was 596 gram. Buzzard II was 845 gram.

Is Lesvos reached ??

Greece reports six more swans with H5 bird flu, tests immigrant                   Published: 2/24/2006 by TurkishPress.com

ATHENS - The Greek agriculture ministry on Friday said it had isolated the H5 broad category of avian flu on six swans found dead in the north and northeast of the country, adding that more tests are required to confirm whether the virus is the strain that can kill humans. Samples from the swans, recovered from the prefectures of Evros, Xanthi and Imathia, will be sent to the EU laboratory in England to determine whether the virus is H5N1, the highly pathogenic strain that has killed more than 90 people in the Far East, the Middle East and China since 2003. Three of the swans were found in the Evros Delta, an important wetlands on the Greek border with Turkey. "The authorities in these areas have already been ordered to take appropriate measures," the ministry said in a statement. Greece has already confirmed 16 cases of H5N1, all in wild birds, and taken the appropriate measures advised by the EU. Meanwhile a 21-year-old Afghan immigrant who swam from Turkey has been hospitalized on the eastern Greek island of Mytilene after developing bird flu-like symptoms, local hospital sources said on Friday. The Afghan has been placed in isolation under separate medical supervision. Tests on fluid samples sent to Athens on Friday will be available in 2-3 days, the sources said. The man, who is believed to have swum to Greece from Turkey a few days ago, has a fever and a cough, probably due to pneumonia, the sources said.  02/24/2006 13:21 GMT

And it was if the devil was playing us tricks again, because today the connection of the boiler . . . . broke down again (see as well January 29^th ’06). Luckily our real  BEYOND PRAISE odd-job man could repair the damage, and this time better than the Greek “Village-plumber” had done this. So we have warm water again. In the evening we have released the Yellow-legged Gull.

February 26^th:  the Hedge-hog was 790 gram, Buzzard II was 855 gram and Buzzard I was 630 gram ! The new Goshawk was at last above the “after-amputation-body-weight” and was 650 gram. The amputation-injury is wonderful dry and isn’t smelling. As well this is the case with the Grey Heron. At 4 p.m. a phone-call from Eressós about a (probably) poisoned Tom-cat. It showed to be Fumanchoú, we had here in April 2005 for huge First Aid (lag-amputation and as well neutered –  05-043). As good as possible advices were given. The laminating on the first floor is causing, especially for the blind-cats, the biggest problems: “where is my food and where is my chair?”. For the other animals it’s a huge playground !

February 27th:  the Hedge-hog was 785 gram, Buzzard II was 875 and Buzzard I was 650 gram. The new Goshawk was 660 gram. Changing the bandages and removing the stitches, we discovered that Buzzard II had been shot > shot-hole discovered in underside of the wing. The injuries of Buzzard I are cleaning well; maybe end of this week a surgery: an implantation in the humerus for a better healing of the fracture. At 6 p.m. the living was “laminated” (without the baseboards) and the hall partly > quite difficult, because nothing, but real nothing is straight !!

Addition to February 25^th:

Internet-edition of the Newspaper “Ekathimerini”  February 27^th 2006

Negative test

An Afghan immigrant tested negative for bird flu on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos, hospital officials said on Saturday. The unnamed 21-year-old had been admitted to the island’s hospital on Friday after suffering flu-like symptoms. Authorities found him on Lesvos on Wednesday.

February 28th:  the Hedge-hog was 780 gram, Buzzard II 895 gram and Buzzard I was 680 gram. The new Goshawk was back on her intake-body-weight (with 2 wings): 675 gram. While removing the troughs in “The Keep” quite a panic from our side”: we couldn’t find the invalid Scop’s anymore !! Although it’s a “Camouflage-expert”, this was above the limit. Showed having herself jammed between the netting and the pieces of bark we used over there as cage-enrichment ! And with a disabled with the situation became worse and worse. Half of the bark had to be removed before we had freed her again. Straight to the sick-bay for recuperation > was over-thirsty. At 6.30 p.m. the “laminating” was done and more than half of the baseboards were ready to be fastened. If the announced power-cuts for tomorrow will be minimal, this “case can be closed”.

Total amount of visitors this month:  06                                   (total this year: 019)

Kinds of animals who are mentioned like this were for the first time in treatment in the L.W.H.   

Amount of kilometers (Animal-Ambulance) for bringing-in/releasing animals this month 063 (total this year 0200 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 12 [wild ones: 06; others 06], (total this year 030 > : wild ones 017, others 013; total since the start of registration in 1996: 3274),  of which:

TOM-CAT (Felis catus): 2; the 1^st  from the LWH; “Alba” > delivered from his crown-jewels. Maybe he is now disturbing our sleep not any more . . . . The night hereafter it was quite quiet in the house . . . . The 2^nd, from our village, was bitten by another cat (??) in the heel > First Aid was given and tried to advice the owner (if she will follow them ??). The 13^th we received a phone-call from the owner: the Tom-cat was doing well; the bandage was still around the leg (and that’s a real miracle !) and she will pass-by the day after tomorrow for a further check-up. She came the 18^th (but without the Tom-cat > couldn’t be caught) and could tell that everything was all right. As well showed her around.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (Larus cachinnans michael.): 1 adult from Mytiléne (see Saturday February 4^th ) > after “treatment” by the Vet one had tried to release the bird > no success. Showed to be quite injured on the left side of the neck > no therapy was practiced. At a further examination the injury showed to be a shot/hole > cleaned and anti-biotic spray was given. The bird however is refusing to eat and/or to swallow. The tractus digestivus in the neck has no obstructions. The 8^th (so 2 days after intake) we have discovered in the neck the place where the shot-pellet has left the body > so we know now in any case that the pellet didn’t got stuck somewhere. So “only” the trachea and/or the gullet were injured > this explains the digestion-problems. The 9^th he/she has eaten for the first time on his one: fish ! And from those we still have enough left after the last Pelicans in October ! Started eating more and more difficult February 24^th and vomited the day hereafter everything > so a reason for release. Although the hunting-season isn’t yet over, the risk he/she should “give-up” over here was evident. So the 25^th at 5.35 p.m. released in the water-inlet-channel of the salines, “hoping for the best”.

CAT (Felis catus): 2 from Pétra; the first hadn’t been eating for some days (bus had been  “out” > first time in heat) and was looking very fusty (over-tired from the “sex-party” ?). The 2^nd had wide-open pupils, so a possible poisoning (eaten a poisoned mouse/rat ? It’s a real mouse-catcher). The first was given a sub-cutaneous infusion and as well broth per os. Showed how to repeat this both “actions”. The 2^nd treated against poisoning > so given 2 injections. Now it’s wait and see.  The first one was next morning already almost “gone” > so poisoned with rat-poison that’s causing internal bleedings. Came back at 5.50 p.m.  > the breath was smelling quite hemorrhagic, but she was (besides that) quite active. Again dextrose subcutaneously was given and 1 ampoule Konakion (Vit. K) was injected. Again wait and see.  Is taken back by the owners in the evening of the 17^th , because we weren’t able to do anything special anymore. Has died that same evening, in the safe environment of her own home.

DOG (Canis familiaris): 1 from Parákoila > has offered his crown-jewels for a “Barn Owl-party”.

WOODCOCK (Scolopax rusticola): 1 adult from/via Mytiléne > open smashed fracture right under-arm; already some days old, with a double, complete torsion > so the wing-part had died. By the Vet only a piece of bandage was wrapped around the injury; nothing was done to the torsion. Wing-part amputated.

Refused the 17^th  the offered mealworms > discovered dead at 4.45 p.m. Showed to have a huge skin-injury on the breast > caused by the broken wing ??

GOSHAWK (Accipiter gentilis): 1 juvenile female, from (via the Vet in) Mytiléne > definitively no Bird-Flu, but “shot into pieces”: open fracture right humerus and in-shot-hole  under the tongue > fro  here the pellet has penetrated till close by the left eye. Injuries already days old > bird has diminished quite a lot: body-weight is only 675 gram in stead of 800 – 1350 gram !! Fracture was “re-modeled” and a reposition was done. Injury temporarily stitched. Eye-injury treated with CAF-cream. Anti-biotics were injected.

(see for the injuries as well February 17^th , 18^th & 19^th ) February 20^th the wing was amputated > quite high, because the gangrene had started to go upwards. Let’s hope we were able to stop this process with this surgery. Body-weight after amputation was 626 gram.

SHEEP-LAMB (Ovis aries): 1 young ewe-lamb from our village; should be bitten by rats (in between both front-legs) > injury cleaned and stitched. Hansaplast-spray as a cover.

BUZZARD – I – (Buteo buteo): 1 (according to the seize) female from Mytiléne >  was delivered at the Agrotikí Stégi in  Kallonís by the State-Vet Stávros Giannákas. Was discovered in between Mytiléne and the Airport (we heard later). With all cautiousness (gloves and nose-/mouth-mask) the box picked-up > showed to be an fracture of the left wing (quite old) and very malnourished. Later in the morning we were able to remove the whole bunch of glued-together feathers > a mercy was that: a) there was no gangrene-smell, and b) it was “only” a fracture of the radius > the ulna seemed to be intact. The two skin-injuries covered with Dermisol-solvens and a splint was given. As well antibiotics were injected.

The 25^th (so 3 days after intake) discovered that the fracture is not in the radius, but in the humerus ! That this was discovered so late, was because a) we have no (more) an x-ray-apparatus and b) due to the Dermisol-solvens the inside is now so clean, we could see something inside. So, we aren’t so happy anymore > the prognosis is worse now !

BUZZARD – II – (Buteo buteo): 1 (according to the seize) male from Ándissa: as well an open fracture of the left wing. This injury however was quite fresh. After reposition and cleaning the injuries stitched with 5 stitches. As well antibiotics were injected.

GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea): 1 adult (even quite old), delivered to the Agrotikí Stégi by the State-Vet Stávros Giannákas; was discovered in Panagioúda  > more than clear a traffic-accident > open fracture left humerus with several skin- & muscle-injuries. As well a triple complete torsion of the broken wing-part.

After turning-back the wing in the good position it showed that amputation should be the only solution > was done. If he/she survives, we can think about releasing in the Salines or in the water-inlet-channel around the Salines. At this moment however the prognosis isn’t well at all. The day after intake (and amputation) the injury was smelling well and there had been hardly any bleedings.