This patient was rescued and transported to us with the help of Loudoun County Animal Services and Kristi’s Caring Hands Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education after being found in a fenced yard after a suspected dog attack.
Despite this beaver presenting fairly alert and active, further diagnostics revealed that this animal was extremely unwell.
There were minor bite wounds consistent with a dog attack and radiographs showed what we suspected at the time to be a significantly enlarged heart.
They also showed fluid-filled lungs. There was free fluid in the abdomen as well.
Due to the dog attack and the health department requesting rabies testing, in addition to the severe health problems, resulted in the beaver being humanely euthanized…