Faculty at VMTH collaborate to care for Bubo
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Media Contact: Taylor Bacon | Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator | 405-744-6728 | taylor.bacon@okstate.edu
Patients and clients alike rely on a veterinarian’s ability to assess, diagnose and treat any ailments the animal presents with.
Patient care is optimized when veterinary specialists can collaborate under one roof. When all it takes is walking down the hall to consult an expert in the area, everyone can benefit.
Bubo, a 24-year-old Eurasian eagle owl, is the perfect example of two specialty services collaborating for optimal patient success. Bubo presented to the Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital veterinarians with visual impairment and concerns about cataracts.
Bubo is owned by Yvonne Burbach, owner of Wings of Love LLC. Wings of Love is a nonprofit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, resocializes and rehomes birds whose owners can no longer care for them. The organization also provides avian education and entertainment through education programs and free events.
Bubo’s first role with the program was with wedding proposals, where he would deliver a ring to the unsuspecting bride-to-be. He also participates in outdoor raptor programs, where Burbach teaches participants about owls’ hunting skills, eyesight, hearing and more. At the end, the owls perform a flyover for the audience.
With all of those responsibilities, and for daily activities, Bubo’s eyesight needs to be sharp. Burbach first noticed issues with Bubo’s vision in fall 2022 when she saw a whiteness in his lens. He then became more hesitant to step up onto arms or perch.
First, Burbach took Bubo to a human ophthalmologist who recommended possible surgery. Then, she brought him to the OSU VMTH in January 2023, where he saw Dr. Katelyn Fentiman, clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology and board-certified ophthalmologist. Fentiman confirmed cataracts in both eyes, with more advancement in the right eye. At the time, they decided to monitor the cataracts and recheck them to see how they progressed.
Fentiman re-evaluated the eye one month later and found no changes. Both eyes were visual and comfortable despite having cataracts, so Burbach decided to wait for surgery with six-month rechecks to monitor the progression.
Bubo returned to the OSU VMTH in April 2024 for re-evaluation. Burbach felt his vision had declined more as he was starting to frighten more easily at night. She wanted to pursue surgery.
In his pre-operative appointment, Bubo was evaluated by the zoological medicine team to ensure his health was ideal for surgery. Dr. João Brandão, associate professor of zoological medicine and a board-certified zoological medicine veterinarian, and Dr. Kaitlyn Crocker, zoological medicine specialty intern, evaluated him. They performed a complete physical exam and found Bubo to be bright, alert and responsive, with his vital parameters within normal limits. Overall, they deemed him clinically healthy and a good candidate for surgery.
Bubo was scheduled for surgery on April 17. Dr. Gianluca Bini, a board-certified anesthesiologist and assistant professor of anesthesia, assisted the zoological medicine team in anesthetizing Bubo and monitoring his vitals throughout the procedure.
Before surgery, an ocular ultrasound and electroretinogram were performed to ensure no abnormalities would negatively impact surgery. He was then taken to the operating room for phacoemulsification, also known as cataract surgery.
“Phacoemulsification is the only way to clear vision loss caused by cataracts,” Fentiman said. “For this surgery, a small incision is made into the eye, and the cataract is broken up and removed using ultrasonic energy.”
During the surgery, fourth-year veterinary students Sarah Schuler and Sarah Reed assisted.
“Bubo was a once-in-a-lifetime case,” Reed said. “Given that a cataract surgery is seldom performed on owls, I was eager to be part of OSU’s groundbreaking work.”
Fentiman said cataract surgery is performed commonly in dogs, but it is uncommon to have the opportunity to remove a cataract from a wild animal such as an owl.
The unique experience of working with exotic animals allowed Schuler to see the culmination of her veterinary school efforts.
“This case allowed me to use critical thinking skills I have been learning throughout vet school in order to apply my knowledge about anesthetic drugs, protocols and more,” Schuler said. “Implementing this knowledge brings me a sense of fulfillment.”
The students were able to be a part of the collaboration and see the importance of different specialists working together.
“The collaborative efforts of the ophthalmology, zoo medicine and anesthesia departments at OSU were exemplary, from the initial physical exam to his post-operative care,” Reed said. “Many veterinary students gained insights into Bubo’s distinctive ocular anatomy and the specific anesthetic requirements for safe surgery, from Bubo’s ocular ultrasound to the procedure itself.”
Schuler said the collaboration helped teach her more about interpersonal skills when communicating amongst colleagues.
“Bubo has recovered very well from surgery, and we were very excited to be able to be part of his care. He is such a beautiful bird, and we hope this surgery will help him go on to lead a long life.”
“I saw the teamwork amongst boarded veterinarians who are experts in their field and how humble they were when consulting one another,” Schuler said. “All of them were there to help create and provide the best anesthesia and surgical plan for Bubo.”
Reed and Schuler were both positively impacted by Bubo’s case. Schuler was completing her zoological medicine rotation and Reed was in her ophthalmology rotation.
“My goal is to work with exotics and wildlife in my career; his case allowed me to see the complex care that can be provided to wildlife,” Schuler said. “His case made me realize that I am living my dream of working with wildlife as a veterinary doctor.”
Reed’s experience in the ophthalmology service inspired her to pursue a future in the specialty.
“Dr. Fentiman and OSU’s ophthalmology department are outstanding educators, and their mentorship has inspired me to pursue a specialty in ophthalmology after graduation,” Reed said.
Fentiman examined Bubo post-operatively on May 16.
“Bubo has recovered very well from surgery, and we were very excited to be able to be part of his care,” Fentiman said. “He is such a beautiful bird, and we hope this surgery will help him go on to lead a long life.”
Photos By: Taylor Bacon
Story By: Taylor Bacon | Vet Voices Magazine