Shock is a very serious life threatening medical condition. It is characterized by a decrease in tissue perfusion to the point where cells are not receiving adequate oxygen and nutrients.

Blood carries oxygen and nutrients around the body; during shock this becomes insufficient to meet cellular needs and the reduced flow hinders the delivery of the components to the tissues. Many vital body functions are in a depressed state from lack of effective circulation. Because shock is life-threatening, it requires immediate attention.

Supportive care includes intravenous fluids and oxygen to reverse shock and prevent permanent organ damage.

The most common cause of shock is trauma; the most common and severe trauma for animals is being hit by a car. Other causes include fights, poisoning, insect stings, fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea, burns, infections, heart failure and choking.

One lucky owl met a good Samaritan and her parents last week.  On her way to work Carly Grass spotted the barred owl on Lions Bay Ave. The poor creature was sitting in a puddle and surely hoped that it will be rescued soon.

Carly called her parents. They immediately got in their car with a box (with holes) and a camera. When Pat and Richard arrived, the owl was still sitting there (in the puddle). Pictures were taken, and it seemed so occupied with the camera, that it was easy for Richard to transfer it to its new home (the box).

I arrived the same afternoon at the Grass residence with a culinary delivery. Once I got (hiked) to their front door after a bit of huffing and puffing, Pat opened the door and asked; " do you want to see the owl?" "Yes, of course I said, where is it?" I expected it to be sitting in a tree or a wire. There on the patio bench was the box. I peeked through the holes and could see the owl.

After a number of calls earlier in the day Pat and Richard made arrangements to deliver it to a volunteer in Vancouver. After they dropped the owl off in mid afternoon, its’ third part of the rescue journey began. Lucky was driven to Ladner where another group of volunteers are caring for the owl that sat in the puddle on Lions Bay Avenue.

Thank you to Carly, Pat and Richard Grass for acting as quickly as you did. We hope with a name like "LUCKY" that it will pull through the rough times.

Pat and Richard received the following response from Lucky’s care group.
Hello Pat, 
The owl did indeed survive the trip and is recovering slowly in  intensive care. Unfortunately the owl has some head trauma, and one of its eyes  may no longer be functional. We are also tube feeding her because she is quite  underweight, but hopefully we can transition her to solid food soon. We should  get a better idea regarding her prognosis in the coming weeks. her case # is  09-153 and feel free to email or call for updates. Bye for now, Chris.
O.W.L. (Orphaned Wildlife) Rehab. Society