Gonzo's talon did not heal correctly. Even though we wrapped it, then splinted it. It still was pulling to the left an alarming amount, and the toe was starting to swell.
Obviously, my doctoring didn't work.
I loaded the bird into the car and took him to Raleigh to see Arnaud. He is a vet at the college there and specializes in raptors - and he is just a great guy.
I held Gonzo on the kitchen table while Arnaud took a good look - the prognosis wasn't great.
The middle toe had a severed tendon on one side, leaving an imbalance in the amount of tension on the other side of the toe, so it was like the tip was being pulled on one side by a rubber band.
He reset the toe - using some thick, plastic tubing and gauze and duct tape. It looks like it might work. The toe is currently straight, and should heal that way.
He has lost the use of the tip of that toe - I can't get around that - but being that it is the center talon - he should still be able to hunt.
Worst case scenario... the toe won't heal and we have to cut it off. Sucks - but even then he will still be able to hunt. Big picture - we're going to be okay.
I seem to have misplaced my camera - when I find it I'll post foot pictures.
As a side note - no eggs from the hawks yet...
