EDMOND, Okla., Aug. 26, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Edmond veterinarian Dr. Jason Smart successfully helped an injured wild hawk heal and return to the wild. The hawk was hit by a car and suffered wing lacerations. Fortunately for the hawk, X-rays indicated that the wing was not fractured. Dr. Smart helped care for the hawk while its wing healed. With the wing full mended, Dr. Smart transferred the Cooper's Hawk to the WildCare Foundation, where it will receive flight rehabilitation. Once rehabilitation is complete, the hawk will be released into the wild.
The hawk, a member of the Cooper's Hawk species, was hit by a car and sustained lacerations on the wings. The hawk was taken to White Oaks Veterinary Clinic and treated by Dr. Smart.
To determine the extent of damage, veterinarian Dr. Jason Smart first anesthetized the bird and took X-rays. While the wing was badly damaged, no fractures had occurred. Dr. Smart cared for the hawk until the wound healed. The hawk was released to the WildCare Foundation for flight rehabilitation.
The WildCare Foundation, located in a rural part of Cleveland County, features a 40'x100' netted aviary for helping larger hawks and vultures. Nearly 4500 animals are brought to WildCare each year for wildlife rehabilitation.
"Hopefully in another month, our hawk will once again be soaring over the Oklahoma grasslands," said Dr. Smart. "It was a privilege to care for the hawk and help this beautiful creature heal. Sadly, accidents between cars and wild animals are increasingly common in this part of Oklahoma. Drivers should exercise caution on country roads, especially at night."
Dr. Smart joined White Oaks Veterinary Clinic in June. In addition to providing companion animal wellness care, Dr. Smart is experienced in caring for exotic pets, including birds and snakes. He completed an internship in Africa, providing care for big game animals.
The Edmonds veterinary hospital has a long history providing companion animal and equine care, as well as more recently wildlife rehabilitation. Since 2008, the veterinary hospital has practiced in a 6,500 square foot facility, which allows the veterinarians to provide comprehensive care for a wide variety of animals.
The vet hospital provides routine wellness care, including annual exams, spay and neuter operations, and dental care for companion animals. The clinic also offers holistic services to complement their traditional veterinary services. These services include acupuncture treatments for pain management and alternative healing.
Equine vet Dr. Mark Bianchi also offers equine care, including farm calls and dentistry procedures. Advanced equine services, including tonometry, radiology and cardiology, are also available.
"We are proud to provide cutting-edge care for all animals," said Dr. Bianchi. "Our state-of-the-art technology and large veterinary hospital allows us to offer pet patients an enhanced level of care. These resources were also vitally important in Dr. Smart's ability to treat the wild hawk."
Pet owners may learn more about the Edmond veterinarians by visiting http://www.whiteoaksvet.com/.