OJAI, Calif., Aug. 7 (Nationwide Times) — Jackie, the bald eagle associated with the Big Bear Valley nest camera, remains in critical condition at the Ojai Raptor Center after her packed cell volume fell from 16% to 13%, according to the center’s latest update.
The decline means Jackie’s anemia has worsened. Ojai Raptor Center veterinarians said they were conducting advanced diagnostic and expedited laboratory testing, but the cause of her illness remains unknown.
The case has drawn attention across California because Jackie is a familiar bird from the Big Bear Valley nest-cam. Her treatment has involved wildlife rescuers in Los Angeles County, veterinarians in Ojai and a resident bald eagle at the California Living Museum in Bakersfield.
What does “critical condition” mean?
The Ojai Raptor Center has described Jackie as “stable but critical.” That means she has shown some signs of strength but remains seriously ill and requires close veterinary care and treatment.
A key measure doctors are tracking is packed cell volume, or PCV. PCV shows 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.
Jackie’s PCV had risen from 8% to 16% after a blood transfusion and other treatment, the center reported. She was eating on her own and showing more energy and alertness. The later drop to 13% raised concern that the anemia was returning or worsening.
The supplied updates do not include a current prognosis, a confirmed diagnosis or a release date.
What treatment has Jackie received?
Jackie received a blood transfusion, which the Ojai Raptor Center called an important treatment milestone. The blood came from Spirit, a resident bald eagle at the California Living Museum in Bakersfield.
The center also reported that Jackie was eating and perching after the transfusion. Testing ruled out lead poisoning, known as lead toxicosis, as well as foreign objects such as fishing hooks, fishing line and weights.
Veterinarians also found inflammation affecting Jackie’s kidneys. They have not identified the underlying cause of the anemia and kidney inflammation. Earlier testing for possible exposures, including zinc or rodenticide, was described as pending in the supplied reports; no later result was provided.
Why did Jackie go to the Ojai Raptor Center?
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation’s San Dimas Raptor Rescue team reported rescuing an injured bald eagle after a fight with two other eagles. The team took the bird to the Ojai Raptor Center.
ABC News described the rescued bird as presumed to be Jackie. The supplied updates do not provide definitive identification details.
Jackie was later moved from the Ojai Raptor Center’s intensive-care unit to a regular hospital care unit because she no longer needed oxygen therapy. The center said at the time that she remained very sick and still required intensive treatment and monitoring.
The later decline in PCV does not establish whether Jackie has remained in the regular hospital unit or returned to intensive care. The Ojai Raptor Center’s latest reported update focused on the worsening anemia and additional testing.
What happens next?
Veterinarians are continuing to monitor Jackie’s blood values and search for the cause of her illness. The Ojai Raptor Center has said wildlife medicine can require time because some diagnostic answers do not come immediately.
For now, the clearest medical update is mixed: Jackie has been able to eat and previously showed improved energy, but her blood count has fallen again and she remains critically ill.
