OJAI, Calif., Aug. 7 (Nationwide Times) — Jackie, the bald eagle known for her connection to the Big Bear Valley nest-cam, remains in critical condition at the Ojai Raptor Center as veterinarians investigate worsening anemia.
The center’s latest reported update said Jackie’s packed cell volume, or PCV, had fallen to 13%. Her PCV had earlier risen from 8% to 16% after a blood transfusion and other treatment. The decline indicates that her anemia had worsened, and the veterinary team began advanced diagnostic testing and expedited laboratory work.
The latest information does not establish whether Jackie is still in the regular hospital unit or has returned to intensive care. It also does not provide a confirmed diagnosis, prognosis or release date.
What is known about Jackie’s condition?
Ojai Raptor Center records identify the bird as Patient 26-519. The center has reported that Jackie is anemic and has inflammation affecting her kidneys. Veterinarians have not determined the underlying cause of those problems.
A PCV test measures the percentage of blood made up of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen through the body. A low PCV is a sign of anemia, which can leave an animal weak and in need of close monitoring and supportive care.
After Jackie’s PCV dropped to 8%, she received a blood transfusion. The donated blood came from Spirit, a resident bald eagle at the California Living Museum in Bakersfield. The Ojai center described the transfusion as an important treatment milestone.
Jackie’s PCV later increased to 16%. At that point, the center said she was eating independently and showing more energy and alertness, although the reading remained below normal and her condition was still critical.
Why did Jackie leave intensive care?
Ojai Raptor Center later reported that Jackie had moved from its intensive-care unit to a regular hospital care unit because she no longer needed oxygen therapy. The center called the move an encouraging milestone but stressed that Jackie remained very sick and needed intensive treatment and monitoring.
That improvement was followed by the later drop in PCV to 13%. The two updates show why the center has continued to describe Jackie’s condition as critical: a patient may show short-term improvements while still facing serious medical problems.
What caused the illness?
The cause remains undetermined. Ojai Raptor Center reported that testing ruled out lead toxicosis and foreign objects such as fishing hooks, fishing line and weights. Earlier updates also discussed testing for other possible sources of illness, but the supplied updates do not provide final results for every substance considered.
The center said its veterinary team was working to identify the underlying cause of Jackie’s anemia and kidney inflammation. Advanced testing was still underway in the latest reported update.
How did Jackie reach the Ojai Raptor Center?
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation’s San Dimas Raptor Rescue team said it rescued an injured bald eagle after a fight with two other eagles and transported the bird to the Ojai Raptor Center. ABC News described the rescued bird as presumed to be Jackie; the available information does not provide definitive identification details.
The bird was reported to have been involved in the fight in early July. The case brought together wildlife rescuers and rehabilitation staff in Southern California, along with the California Living Museum, whose resident eagle supplied blood for the transfusion.
What happens next?
Veterinarians are continuing to monitor Jackie’s bloodwork and overall condition while laboratory testing proceeds. The Ojai Raptor Center has not announced a confirmed cause of the anemia or said when Jackie might be released.
For now, the most recent reported status is that Jackie remains critically ill. Her earlier move out of intensive care and improvement in energy were positive signs, but the subsequent PCV decline shows that she is not out of danger.