Enucleation in birds of prey

Enucleation in birds requires special consideration. Two case reports are presented as examples of 2 techniques for enucleation in raptors. The first technique utilizes a transaural approach and is suitable only in owls that have extensive external ear openings. The major advantage of this technique is that it allows complete histologic examination of the globe. The second technique is a globe-collapsing procedure that is suitable for any avian species. This technique precludes complete histologic examination.     

Doppler echocardiography

Echocardiography offers an invaluable noninvasive technique for examining structures within the heart, for measuring the size of cardiac chambers and for assessing myocardial function. Doppler provides a further objective measure of blood flow within the heart and great vessels that reflects the haemodynamic function of the heart. Furthermore, it demonstrates valvular disorders very accurately, especially with the aid of colour-flow mapping.     

Microbiological survey of birds of prey pellets

A microbiological survey of 73 pellets collected from different birds of prey species housed at the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center of Napoli (southern Italy) was performed. Pellets were analyzed by culture and biochemical methods as well as by serotyping and polymerase chain reaction. We isolated a wide range of bacteria some of them also pathogens for humans (i.e. Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium, Campylobacter coli, Escherichia coli O serogroups). This study highlights the potential role of birds of prey as asymptomatic carriers of pathogenic bacteria which could be disseminated in the environment not only through the birds of prey feces but also through their pellets.     

Fungal diseases of birds of prey.

Aspergillosis and candidiasis are ranked among the most common infectious diseases in birds of prey. The prevention of these fungal diseases is often easier than treatment. Thus the clinician should strive to prevent infection by minimizing stress, maintaining a healthy environment, limiting long-term use of antibiotics and corticosteroids, and reducing exposure to fungal organisms. Although less commonly diagnosed among wild, free-ranging birds of prey, a high incidence in a free-ranging population should make the clinician think of an immunocompromising factor (i.e., toxins, human encroachment or low prey base) that may be contributing to infection. The diagnosis of aspergillosis and candidiasis often requires more than just the identification of the agent, as these ubiquitous organisms often are cultured from healthy birds of prey. In those birds of prey in which a fungal infection is highly suspected or proven, antifungal drugs remain the mainstay of treatment, although available drugs and modes of delivery have improved in recent years.     

Pulsed-wave Doppler evaluation of intracardiac blood flow in 30 clinically normal Standardbred horses

Pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography was performed on 30 clinically normal 1- to 6-year-old racing Standardbreds. There were 13 females, 13 geldings, and 4 stallions. Cardiac disease was not detected with M-mode, 2-dimensional real-time or pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography. Normal flow velocities for right and left atrial outflow, right and left ventricular outflow, the aorta, and pulmonary artery were determined. Peak flow velocities for right and left atrial outflow occurred during the rapid filling phase and were higher toward the mitral valve (mean, 0.70 +/- 0.24 m/s) than toward the tricuspid valve (mean, 0.49 +/- 0.17 m/s). Peak flow velocities in the right and left ventricular outflow tracts were similar (means, 0.81 +/- 0.10 m/s and 0.75 +/- 0.39 m/s, respectively). Peak flow velocities in the pulmonary artery (mean, 1.09 +/- 0.42 m/s) and aorta (mean, 1.01 +/- 0.29 m/s) were similar, although flow peaked earlier in systole in the aorta than in the pulmonary artery.     

Behavioral aspects of captive birds of prey.

This article describes concepts of raptor behavior in captive birds of prey with inferences from the behavior of their wild counterparts that will assist the veterinarian in understanding the causes of managing abnormal behaviors.     

Occurrence of parasites in indigenous birds of prey and owls

In the present paper a general overview on parasites in birds of prey and owls is given. This part is followed by a study investigating the prevalences and species of parasites in free-ranging birds of prey and owls in Berlin and Brandenburg State, Germany. Over a one year period, 84 birds of prey and owls of the following species were examined for the presence of endo- and ectoparasites: Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) (n = 32), Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) (n = 20), Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) (n = 9), Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) (n = 8), Black Kite (Milvus migrans) (n = 4), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (n = 3), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) (n = 1), White-tailed-Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) (n = 1), Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) (n = 4), Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) (n = 1) and Barn Owl (Tyto alba) (n = 1). In 97.6% of the cases, ectoparasites (feather mites and hippoboscid flies) were found. Especially eyasses (93.3%) were positive for hippoboscid flies. Trichomonas was detected in 28.6% of all birds of prey and owls examined. A prevalence of 100% was established in the Sparrow Hawks as well as Peregrine Falcons. Leucozytozoon sp. and Hemoproteus sp. as blood parasites were found in 26.9% of the birds in total. Common Buzzards showed the highest prevalence (44.8%). 58.3% of birds examined were positive for endoparasites. Flukes were found in 16.7%, tapeworms in 14.3%, round-worms in 48.8% and acanthocephales in 2.4% of the cases. Interestingly, Tylodelphis clavata (in a Common Buzzard) and Hovorkonema variegatum (in a Goshawk) were found for the first time in raptors. The results of this study underline the importance of a parasitological examination in the process of raptor rehabilitation.     

Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of hepatic veins during variable hemodynamic states in healthy anesthetized dogs

OBJECTIVES: To quantify direction and velocity of blood flow in hepatic veins in dogs under different hemodynamic conditions by use of pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography. ANIMALS: 10 healthy dogs. PROCEDURE: Dogs were anesthetized, and venous flow velocities in the quadrate lobe were measured. Arterial blood pressure, right atrial pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and cardiac output were measured simultaneously. The timing of each waveform during the cardiac cycle was used to identify velocity profiles. Peak waveform velocities were measured during conditions of light anesthesia with isoflurane (baseline; period 1), cardiovascular depression following administration of high-dose isoflurane and esmolol i.v. (period 2), cardiovascular depression with crystalloid volume expansion (period 3), and high cardiac output induced with dobutamine (period 4). Hemodynamic measurements and maximum waveform velocities were compared among the 4 periods by use of an ANOVA and univariate and multivariate linear regression. RESULTS: During each study period, 4 distinct, low-velocity waves were identified. Mean velocities recorded during period 1 were as follows: retrograde atrial contraction a-wave, 7.3 cm/s; antegrade systolic S-wave, 15.0 cm/s; retrograde venous return v-wave, 2.7 cm/s; and antegrade diastolic D-wave, 11.4 cm/s. Mean S:D ratio was 1.27. During periods 3 and 4, S-wave velocity increased; D-wave velocity was highest during period 4. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Consistent hepatic venous velocity profiles were observed in healthy dogs under different hemodynamic conditions. These findings provide baseline values that may be useful in evaluating clinical cases, but further study involving healthy, awake dogs and dogs with cardiac and hepatic diseases is required.     

Isolation of Mycoplasma meleagridis from free-ranging birds of prey in Germany

In this study tracheal swabs and air sac biopsies of 68 raptors of different species that were found injured or debilitated in Germany were investigated for the occurrence of mycoplasmas. Mycoplasma meleagridis, Mycoplasma falconis, Mycoplasma buteonis, Mycoplasma gypis and five mycoplasma isolates not identified so far could be isolated from 32 (47%) birds. Mycoplasma meleagridis could be detected in five birds. These birds did not show clinical signs or histopathological alterations in air sac biopsies related to the infection.     

Chlamydia isolation from a large aviary for birds of prey

Antigen against Chlamydia psittaci was detected in 31% to 41% of healthy birds of prey (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes, and Strigiformes) by examination of cloacal swabs and faeces out of 119 birds with antigen-ELISA and cell culture. Chlamydia psittaci-antibodies could be demonstrated in 34% of birds by CF, in 74% by BELISA, and in 71% by Chlamydia-Antibody-ELISA (Chlamydia-AK-EIA). Changes of governmental regulations are discussed.     

Bacterial and fungal flora in healthy eyes of birds of prey.

Birds of prey are often affected with external ocular injuries that are routinely treated with antimicrobial agents used for small animals. The resident ocular bacterial and fungal flora is still unknown in birds of prey and this knowledge would be very useful in assessing the accuracy of treatments. In a study involving 65 raptors with healthy eyes, swabs were taken from both eyes to identify the resident bacterial and fungal flora. Fifty-five birds had a positive culture in one or both eyes. Both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms were isolated, with a predominance of Staphylococcus spp., which were found in 52.3% of cultures. Only two fungal species, Aspergillus spp. and Cladosporium spp. were found. The overall results of this study are similar to previous studies carried out in humans and other animals.