Torticollis. Also known as Acute Cerebellar Ataxia. The vets had used the terms interchangeably but Owen recognized the symptom by its more common name 'Star-gazing'. It was a symptom that he had dealt with before. Rarely, falconry birds would show signs of it, usually because they had given themselves head trauma while hunting. These unfortunate birds would find themselves unable to control the muscles in their neck or head, giving them shaky movements and a loss of control that would sometimes leave the animal with their head pointed straight at the sky. If given good care, they would usually recover in a week or two.
It wasn't the possibility of head trauma that worried Owen. Outside of physical trauma he had seen star-gazing in one other situation. West Nile Virus. The virus had flourished throughout the southern United States, wreaking havoc on birds throughout the country. Transmitted through mosquitoes, the virus spread rapidly among birds but rarely beyond avian species. The symptoms were diverse and didn't always express themselves, making the virus difficult to pinpoint.
The virus itself could be brutal or have little effect. He had never dealt with it personally, but his father had, and he knew that in birds of prey, the virus worked quickly and usually with lethal precision.
Now Delta had it, and likely Blue as well. That thought terrified him. The document that Dr. Wu had been very vague, but it had explained InGen's intent to use avian genetics in order to "return to reality in the hopes of providing a thrill that the world hadn't seen in 75 million years." It wasn't proof that avian genetics had been used, but susceptibility to a virus that didn't normally affect reptiles was a pretty solid lead. He couldn't be certain but more blood work would answer that question. Regardless of their genetic makeup, Owen had something to work with, now the vets could focus on getting his girls better.
It took the two trainers an hour to sedate the three raptors in the paddock. Charlie and Echo were easy. Blue on the other hand was showing no interest in food. Her behavior was erratic, she would stare into space, ignoring everything around her, and then out of nowhere, she would seem to recover, gaining enough clarity to follow her instincts. Instincts that told her to lash out against some invisible pain. And she would. Her taloned feet and forearms would kick and flail at anything nearby. Then she would grow still and resume her staring contest with the sky.
Owen and Barry had finally pinned her down during one of her calm periods and Barry had to inject one of the sedatives directly. Once all three raptors were safely unconscious, Owen insisted that each one be brought to the clinic for observation. If his theory was true, then there were likely infected mosquitoes near the paddock and he didn't feel like risking any more healthy raptors if they hadn't already been exposed.
When all three sedated dinosaurs were safely loaded, the small convoy of park vehicles rushed back to the clinic once more. Dusk had settled by the time his pack was unloaded. At Owen's request Charlie and Echo were placed in larger recovery paddock for observation. Blue on the other hand was quickly transported to the Carnivore Ward. The A.C.U. truck carrying the cobalt streaked raptor right up to the loading bay meant to unload large animals.
As Owen hopped out of the vehicle he was surprised to see Dr. Kirby waiting for them in the bay doors. She personally helped the team unload the raptor and get her placed comfortably in the observation cage next to Delta's cage. Owen stepped back and let the veterinarians work. The small team quickly began to draw blood, record data and administer fluids to the prone raptor.
Both of his girls were lying comfortably in the large cages their necks and tails curled into a tight sleeping position. Without context, they almost looked healthy. Only a few slight tremors coming from Delta's leg and the slight twitches rippling through Blue's neck gave any indication of the ailment they suffered.
Lost in thoughts and worries, Owen barely noticed when Barry put a strong hand on his shoulder, promising to return shortly with some dinner for them both. He only grunted a response and continued to watch the raptors laying before him.
It was nearly thirty minutes later when the vets finally finished rushing in and out to record observations and administer new examinations. Owen had watched it all, his mind unfocused as he tried to process everything.
"The lab results came back."
He glanced over to find Dr. Kirby leaning against the wall next to him. Giving her a small smile he turned his head back to watch his girls. "West Nile right?"
"With Delta, yes. Your other girl's blood work should be back by morning. Based on the symptoms though, West Nile does seem to fit."
"Her name is Blue."
"Well Blue is lucky to have attentive trainers. You may have caught it at an early enough stage for her to recover. West Nile isn't always so forgiving."
"I know, my father lost a falconry bird to it a few years ago."
Her hand gripped his shoulder lightly. "Then you also know that there's not much we can do right?"
Owen nodded silently. There was no proven cure for West Nile. It was a virus that needed to run its course before the animal could recover. Survival was only determined by the strength of the animal.
Dr. Kirby's grip on his shoulder tightened and she gave him a comforting smile. "They're going to be alright Owen. They are getting plenty of fluids and the rest will help them. We're treating their symptoms to ensure they don't worsen. If any animal can survive it'll be your Velociraptors."
Owen let out a breath. "You're right, they're tough girls. Thanks doc."
The red headed vet let go of his shoulder and leaned back against the wall next to him with frustrated sigh. "I just wish we knew more, could do more. Every year, this park adds a new attraction with new animals, but we know next to nothing about them. We're just flying blind, hoping to learn quick enough to keep these animals alive when something goes wrong.
I don't even want to think of the day that you keepers bring in that Tyrannosaurus Rex. She could come down with Asper and we might not catch it until it kills her. We just don't know enough about these animals. I wouldn't even have guessed that raptors were susceptible to West Nile before today! Damn InGen and their policies! They know these are living creatures, but their genetic makeup is a more important secret than the life of the animals they create!" Her voice raised to a crescendo as she finished with a heavy breath.
Owen gave an amused grin. Remembering something, he fished the tightly folded document and handed it to the doctor. "Here, this is what I got from InGen, it's not much but it did help me connect the dots. Maybe it can help you."
She took the document from him and skimmed it quickly.
"Interesting. You're right, it's not much, but it may help narrow somethings down." She held the paper in front of him, pointing to a particular paragraph detailing the raptor that would be Charlie. "See it says here that they used Iguana genes with this one. If this is accurate for your other Velociraptors, then it could stand to reason that this one might be unaffected by West Nile."
She let out another frustrated groan. "This is exactly my point. We know nothing about the animals we care for! If InGen is using such varied genetics for individual animals, who knows what each individual might be extremely susceptible to!" She paused, the paper crumpling slightly in her tightened grip. "That's it, I'm going to write those bastards a letter! I can't believe I am getting more useful information from a damned investment presentation than from their own lips!"
Owen let out a small laugh at the clinician's frustrated rant. She flipped around, turning a dangerous eye on the young trainer. He shut up. Her eyes gave a twinkle and a smile appeared on her lips. "Good, I got a smile out of you!" At Owen's questioning look she gave him a loose shrug. "Look it's obvious that you're not going to go home tonight, so I can't have you moping around my ward, scaring my interns. If I can't get you to leave then I gotta cheer you up." Her face dropped into a serious look. "I'm serious about what I said though. What InGen is doing is complete bullshit."
She turned away, "Look, your girls are stable for the night. If West Nile behaves in them the way it does in most birds, then things should resolve in the next couple days one way or the other. You are welcome to stay and watch them if you would like. There is a couch and a small cot in the break room that you can crash on. I already laid some blankets out."
"Wait, when did you know I was going to stay?"
"The moment you brought Delta in. You're not the first worried handler to come in with their charges. I was honestly surprised when you didn't return with your friend last night."
"Barry came back here last night?"
"Yep. He did the exact same thing you were doing earlier. Watched Delta most of the night I believe. Anyway, I'm going to get some dinner and head home, my shift ended thirty minutes ago. My vet tech will be in here throughout the night, so talk to her if you need anything. If it's an emergency, my number is on the whiteboard. Try to get some rest Mr. Grady." With one more smile, she left Owen in a slightly better mood.
Barry returned about twenty minutes later, two to-go boxes from Winston's Steakhouse. The two men ate quietly, their eyes more on the sleeping raptors than on the food they were eating.
The night settled in, neither man willing to turn in or leave their girls. They would get up and assist the vet tech who came in every hour or so, but she never stayed long, only long enough to replace fluid drips and check the raptor's vitals.
Occasionally one of the raptors would stir. Blue's head would shudder and move without her control. She would vocalize weakly, giving pained purrls and calling quietly to her pack for help. Owen would always be right there speaking to her softly, promising that she would get better. Barry would do the same for Delta, whispering softly to her through the cage bars. Telling her what a strong girl she was, how she was going to make it through this.
The raptors probably didn't hear them, but both men hoped the soft noises and caring tones would translate. Their human pack was with them. If nothing else, the words helped break the sterile silence of the room and kept the two trainer's slightly busy.
Owen itched absently at the uncomfortable brace he was wearing. He didn't know what time it was, but Barry had turned in a little while ago. The two men had talked about what needed to be done next. They had tiredly toyed with the idea of sitting in the enclosure with their raptors. It was an idea fueled by exhaustion and the desire to do more. But it was a stupid idea they both knew that. Blue had driven the point home when she had woken up thrashing and flailing, claws and talons moving haphazardly in every direction.
Instead they had helped the vet tech replace the severed fluid drip a few minutes later and had agreed that vocal support and physical presence was the better alternative.
The following day was physically exhausting. Both he and Barry had left the clinic when Dr. Kirby arrived. She had finally insisted, barring the men from returning until they had taken showers and generally cleaned themselves up.
Instead, they had made their way back to the paddock, hoping to find the source of the mosquitoes. It seemed like a dumb question at first, they were on a tropical island near the equator. Mosquitoes were a part of life here. They were used to being bitten every day. Malaria vaccinations were a must to even come to the island. But when the transferred to this paddock, the two men quickly realized that their workplace was largely devoid of the biting insects. In fact, the paddock sat nestled against the cliffs that edged the island's western side.
It was the stiff ocean breeze that kept the ever present mosquitoes away. So it had surprised Owen when he found his girls had succumbed to a mosquito carried disease. Neither man was going to let it happen again.
The two trainers scoured every inch of the paddock, pushing through the densest brush and leaving nothing unturned. By the time they were finished, both were exhausted, dripping in sweat, covered in dirt, and content with their progress. They had successfully found three possible breeding spots for larval mosquitoes. They would grab some dirt and fill the mud pits in before the girls moved back in. If the girls moved back in.
Owen's hand throbbed in the brace. He had used it far too much today, and it was swelling uncomfortably. Idly he rubbed it as he watched the two raptors below him. He had stopped by his apartment, cleaned up, and returned to the clinic. He felt a little refreshed, but he was exhausted. He leaned against the window that overlooked the small observation paddock.
Echo and Charlie sat below him. Both girls appeared to be doing fine. Their appetites were good and they showed no other symptoms of the virus. Right now they were sitting together in the sunny part of the small enclosure. The green raptor sat tightly against Echo, laying her neck across the rusty colored raptor's back.
Echo was busy sniffing through the short grass in front of her. Both raptors seemed content and healthy. Owen only wished that it was all four of his girls that he was watching.
"Their blood work came back clean."
Owen jumped at the voice, his heart racing in surprise. He turned to the red-headed vet with a scowl, clutching his chest with his good hand.
"Sorry about that. I thought you would like to know that they are healthy as horses. Big scaly, dangerous horses."
The trainer let out a cough. "That's great but couldn't you have just told me?"
"I did."
Owen muttered something inaudible before turning from the window and walking back toward the Carnivore Ward with Dr. Kirby in tow.
"I'm surprised you haven't been attacked by your girls. You jumped like a scared bunny!" Her comment caught the trainer off guard
"I'm not usually this tired when I work with my girls." He muttered.
"Exactly. You need to go get some rest. It won't do you well to be so timid around your girls when they recover."
"I'll keep that in mind doctor." He tiredly replied. " Any updates on Delta or Blue?"
"About the same I'm afraid. We got Blue to eat a few bites today, but she'll need to get past this soon. Your girls have very quick metabolisms, even at rest, she won't be able to survive on tidbits and fluid drips for too long."
"They'll get through it. They have to."
"And so do you Owen. Please get some rest tonight, I don't want to find you asleep on my floor again. At least your friend had the common sense to retire to the couch I offered."
"Yes ma'am."
Having said her peace, Dr. Kirby waved the young man good night, leaving him to watch his girls as he had the night before. Owen let out another sigh that became a yawn and walked towards the ward containing Blue and Delta. It was going to be another long night.
xxxxxxxxxx
Dr. Kirby was going to be pissed. He had intended to follow her advice, to leave, but he had gotten lost in his thoughts. By the time he realized he was falling asleep, it was too late and his exhaustion too strong.
It wasn't Dr. Kirby's shoe that woke him up though. The hot air blew heavily across his face bringing with it the lingering odor of rancid meat. Owen awoke with a cough, his gag reflex triggering. He pushed himself off the floor, wincing in pain as he naturally used his injured hand. He looked up, his mind sleepily trying to find the foul smell.
His eyes adjusted quickly enough and he saw Blue's eye glimmering faintly, reflecting the light from the hallway. She was watching him. Sitting up straight, her movements subtle but controlled.