July 21–23 Blood Transfusion and Advanced Imaging

Despite supportive care, Patient 26-519's PCV fell further, from 10% to 8%.

With her anemia becoming increasingly severe, the veterinary team elected to proceed with a blood transfusion.

Blood was provided by Spirit, a non-releasable Bald Eagle living at the California Living Museum (CALM) in Bakersfield. The transfusion provided additional circulating red blood cells while the medical team continued investigating why Patient 26-519's own red blood cell level remained dangerously low. The procedure was completed successfully.

Advanced imaging was also pursued. A CT scan allowed specialists to examine her lungs and internal organs in considerably greater detail than conventional radiographs.

Small abnormalities were identified in the lungs that could potentially have been associated with infection or inflammation, although imaging alone could not determine their cause. Other findings helped make some of the concerns raised by the initial radiographs less likely.

Then came the first meaningful improvement in her anemia: her PCV increased to 12%.

It was encouraging, but she remained severely anemic and the underlying cause was still unknown.