Health Flashcards

Question

True or false. In a pinch, it is okay to give hamburger to your raptor to hold them over until a proper meal is available.

Answer 1

False *Never feed hamburger or meat without bone to raptors. The calcium/phosphorus ratio of hamburger is 1:20. The appropriate ratio is 2:1. It only takes one meal of hamburger to create metabolism changes and multiple meals could prove fatal.

Answer 2

True *A raptor’s need for water in winter can be almost the same as in summer. Some birds will continue to take a daily bath. In subfreezing temperatures, the feathers may ice up after bathing. The bird should be taken inside and dried off. A hair dryer is very useful.

Answer 3

True *The core body temperature of birds is usually between 102-105 degrees Fahrenheit. A bird’s health is compromised if it falls below the normal range for any period of time

Answer 4

False *Not only are the large species generally easier to train, they are the easiest to keep healthy. The smaller species, especially the Cooper's Hawk, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, and the American Kestrel, perform better when keen or sharp-set, but are much more difficult to keep at a fixed flying weight than, for instance, the Peregrine, Goshawk, Gyrfalcon, Red-tailed Hawk or Harris's Hawk.

Answer 5

a pellet of prey remains normally regurgitated daily by a raptor. *A pellet (traditionally called a “casting”) is the indigestible portion of a raptor’s meal, formed into a compact mass and disgorged through its mouth. The pellets are often regurgitated before the raptor eats its next meal. It takes 6-8 hours between the time the prey is eaten and when the bird casts up the pellet. For falconry birds held in captivity that are fed once per day, that time period will be longer (the pellet is typically cast the next day).

Answer 6

a healthy raptor

Answer 7

True *The cloaca is the internal chamber into which the excretory, digestive and reproduction tracts pass. It is important to be sure that the vent, or external opening of the chamber analogous to an anus in mammals, is checked regularly and is clean and free of fecal material.

Answer 8

an empty gastro-intestinal tract (GIT)

Answer 9

lower a raptor’s weight. *The method of saturating the bird’s food with cold water (soaking the meat) is used to decrease a bird’s body weight or to increase hydration. The method of soaking the meat for a long period of time and wringing it out renders the meat almost completely devoid of nutritional value. Feeding the hawk such “washed meat” will keep its GIT functioning while allowing the bird to lose weight as it metabolizes its own body’s nutritional reserves.

Answer 10

it may chill and lower resistance to several diseases. *A hawk may be left out in a light rain but should be removed to shelter if its feathers become soaked. The bird should always have access to both shelter and to the external environment.

Answer 11

Usually no treatment is necessary because the bleeding will stop

Answer 12

a. the beak grows too long b. the talons grow too long *Coping is cutting back or shortening either the beak or the talons. Though occasionally requiring trimming, talons typically wear through normal activity. A bird’s beak, however, may need the falconer’s attention to prevent overgrowth, discomfort and even malocclusion (misalignment of the upper and lower mandibles).

Answer 13

aspergillosis *Aspergillosis is a fungal infection that affects primarily the respiratory system. It is usually associated with a decrease in immune function. Granulomas (masses) form as the body attempts to wall off infection. Other organs such as the brain, the kidneys and bones may become infected.

Answer 14

difficult and preventive measures against infection are essential. *Stressed birds (training, following a change in management techniques, first year birds), and birds undergoing long-term treatment with antibiotics or with steroids are more susceptible to developing aspergillosis. Treatment is complicated, must include supportive care and may require a combination of antifungal drugs. Despite proper treatment, the condition is often fatal. Prevention is key and should combine a clean environment, decreased stress and optimization of the health of the bird. The problem can be reduced by using substances in the mews that do not support the growth of mold. Avoid hay, straw and dampness in general.

Answer 15

1. The fungus is found in the environment, especially in organic matter and in damp surroundings. 2. Some species such as goshawks and gyrfalcons are particularly susceptible to aspergillosis (often referred to as “asper”). 3. Birds of any age are at risk of developing the disease. 4. Early clinical signs are often subtle and by the time they are recognized, the disease is advanced. 5. Infection in the brain and the kidneys (via compression of nerves) can lead to neurological signs. 6. Aspergillosis is not transmissible from one bird to another.

Answer 16

True *Other diseases may complicate infections with aspergillosis. Decreased immune function may promote increased parasite load, secondary bacterial infections, and dehydration may lead to gout. Appropriate diagnosis by a veterinarian will help design the most appropriate treatment plan.

Answer 17

aspergillosis *With aspergillosis, the end comes very quickly - usually within a week, sometimes only two days. The bird will lose all interest in food, but will exhibit extreme thirst. Weight loss is dramatic, amounting to as much as half the bird's normal weight. Weight loss seems to be mostly due to rapid dehydration. The bird sits on the perch with all of its feathers loose, and then falls off the perch and dies. Post mortem will show her body cavity and air sacs filled with moldy grey dust.

Answer 18

Aspergillosis. *The fungus that causes it, Aspergillosis fumigatus, attacks the respiratory system and is usually lethal. The great problem with treating it is that by the time the first clear symptoms appear, the disease is already deeply established and the bird almost certainly doomed.

Answer 19

prevention. *Both Ancobon and amphotericin B have shown occasional limited success in treating aspergillosis but prevention of aspergillosis is the only successful method of control. The fungus that causes the disease is not strictly a disease organism. It is extremely widespread. The spores can be almost anywhere. The problem can be reduced by using substances in the mews that do not become moldy. Pea gravel and artificial surfaces such as Astroturf are excellent. Avoid hay, straw and dampness. Stress may also predispose a bird to this disease.

Answer 20

Goshawks and Gyrfalcons. *Birds from arctic and subarctic regions seem more susceptible to the disease than those from more southern latitudes.

Answer 21

Pneumonia should also be considered in birds that have symptoms of aspergillosis. *Treatment is accomplished with antibiotics, stress reduction, good food and quiet. Birds with pneumonia tend to eat well up to their death, unlike those with aspergillosis.

Answer 22

protozoa parasites affecting the lining of the gastrointestinal tract

Answer 23

a. by direct contact with an infected bird b. through the ingestion of droppings of a sick bird c. through ingestion of contaminated soil

Answer 24

True *Treatment initiated early during the first stage of the disease (before the mutes turn black) is most effective. Additional supportive care may become necessary. Every effort should be made to maintain hydration and body weight, and to prevent secondary infections.

Answer 25

coccidiosis. *Generally, the actions and behavior of the hawk will not change much during the first stages of the illness. About a week later, however, the bird's appetite may fail quite suddenly. The bird casts up anything it might have eaten and becomes very thirsty. Otherwise it sits fluffed and listless with half closed eyes, then falls off the perch, stiffens and dies.

Answer 26

trichomonas infection.

Answer 27

1. protozoan parasite of the digestive tract that often causes plaques and obstruction in the mouth and the crop. 2. In raptors, the disease is called frounce (and canker in pigeons). 3. It is often seen in American kestrels, Barn Owls, Barred Owls, Cooper’s Hawks, Eastern Screech Owls, Golden Eagles, and Peregrine Falcons. 4. An early symptom of the disease is a bird that is attempting to eat but spits out the pieces of food. An inflamed lining of the mouth and the presence of excessive mucus are early clinical findings. Lesions may not be present so confirmation of the diagnosis by a veterinarian is important.

Answer 28

eating an infected pigeon. *Feral pigeons, doves, European Starlings and House Sparrows are known to carry trichomonas. Recommendations to reduce transmission of the disease include removing the head and crop of all pigeons before feeding and to freeze these birds prior to feeding them to a raptor. However if not done properly, these measures may not be sufficient to prevent infection. **Note: Pigeons may also carry pigeon herpes virus which is impossible to detect and can cause fatal infections in raptors.

Answer 29

False *Infection with trichomonas can become fatal if left untreated and the raptor often dies a week to 10 days after the presence of the oral masses is detected. The mouth becomes overgrown with hard plaques, breathing becomes difficult, feeding impossible. The bird may die of strangulation or starvation. The incubation period, that is the time between actual infection and the first symptoms, appears to be no more than 10 days.

Answer 30

10. *Virulent frounce usually runs a fatal course in a week to ten days from the time the first symptoms appear. The mouth becomes overgrown with hard plaques, breathing becomes difficult, feeding impossible. The bird dies of strangulation or starvation. The incubation period, that is the time between actual infection and the first symptoms, appears to be no more than ten days.

Answer 31

1. Feed food animals from only trusted sources - in some places 80% of feral pigeons are infected. 2. Close monitoring of the raptor and early intervention are essential. 3. Freezing of prey for three days prior to feeding may help kill parasites. 4. Enheptin was generally used until it was discovered that Emtryl (or another drug called Flagyl) was safer and equally effective.

Answer 32

True * Transmission of WNV is mostly through the bite of infected mosquitoes. There are concerns that hippoboscid flies and other ectoparasites may also transmit the virus. Infected birds shed virus in oral secretions, nitrogenous waste from the kidneys and feces. Ingestion of infected prey or ectoparasites are other suspected sources of transmission.

Answer 33

weakness, seizures, anemia and blindness.

Answer 34

bumblefoot

Answer 35

1. There is a thinning of the skin on the bottom of the foot. 2: The skin becomes pink and there is a loss of scales. 3: A sore appears in the center of the irritation. 4: The foot begins to swell. Stage five: The infection has gone into the bone, and bone loss may result. The prognosis is grave at this stage. All stages require intervention. * Stages three and above require veterinary care.*

Answer 36

False *Bumblefoot occurs in stages. The quicker it is noticed, the better the chances of recovery. Severe cases of bumblefoot can be fatal. S

Answer 37

a diet of lean beef and/or general poor husbandry

Answer 38

a. any injury to the sole of the foot b. standing in irritating substances such as excrement or commercial cleaners that have not been properly rinsed from a block or perch c. dietary deficiencies of vitamin A

Answer 39

a. keep a clean perch, a short leash, and a padded perch surface b. feed the bird an appropriately nutritious diet c. cope the talons to keep an appropriate length and sharpness

Answer 40

True: *Raptor feet should be checked every time the bird is handled and the bird must be examined regularly when the bird is not being flown. Detecting bumblefoot early is key to its successful treatment.

Answer 41

True. *If a bird’s digestive system shuts down, food will sit in the crop for 24 hours or more. This allows bacteria to flourish and the food develops a sour smell. A bird showing signs of sour crop must receive medical attention. The old food must be removed with forceps and the bird’s crop will need to be lavaged - therapeutically washed out by a veterinarian. The bird must then be treated with appropriate medications.

Answer 42

a. ingestion by the bird of poor quality, stale or rotten meat b. a parasitic infection such as a. candidiasis and trichomoniasis and the associated inflammatory changes in the digestive tract c. ingestion of toxic substances such as petroleum products

Answer 43

False *There are many causes of “sour crop” that may lead to “crop stasis”, ranging from bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections to impaction due to a physical obstruction or bad food. There is no “magic pill” to resolve this condition and veterinary services are required for treatment.

Answer 44

Stress. *The bird should immediately be placed in a dark, quiet, and cool place. Decreased handling is essential but close monitoring is important. If more than a few moments pass, the bird will go into a succession of violent spasms, and, if untreated, will live for only a few hours. The condition is associated with stress in small accipiters.

Answer 45

Cooper's Hawk *Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks are quite susceptible to these attacks. Goshawks are less likely to suffer them, though they are certainly not immune. Affected birds can die within minutes unless the onset of the condition is recognized and addressed immediately

Answer 46

isolation of the bird in a quiet environment and administration of sugar water if necessary

Answer 47

maladaptation to captive environment. *Occasionally, a raptor captured from the wild fails to adapt to captive conditions and starts to self-mutilate. Over-preening, feather plucking or biting at legs has been reported. If environmental conditions are adequate, this problem is rarely observed. If need be, the bird should be fed and released back to the wild.

Answer 48

improper calcification of bones and fractures.

Answer 49

Makes bones weak. Result of a diet only of meat.

Answer 50

inability walk so will crawl to move from one place to another. *About the third day after the pain calls begin, the arching of the bones caused by muscle spasms can be seen in the long bones of the legs, more rarely in the wings as well. Death usually occurs on the fourth or fifth day after the first symptoms appear. Early correction of the diet is essential to prevent permanent bone damage.

Answer 51

downies taken into captivity. *Metabolic bone disease is a primary cause of death in eyases of any species taken in the downy stages and even occasionally in large downies that are not fed an appropriate diet. Eyases not given bone in the diet are especially vulnerable because of their rapid growth and the high calcium demand for new bone formation. In younger birds, hypothermia is an important problem and great care must be taken to keep the temperature warm at all times and at all costs.

Answer 52

feeding small bones as soon as the young bird is able to assimilate them

Answer 53

1. The falconer should remove the head, crop, viscera and feathers of prey 2.Grind up the rest, bones and all, in a meat grinder or Waring blender 3. then feed the formula to the chicks. 4. Birds older than three-days should receive finely chopped bone in the small mammals or the birds they are fed. Castings should not be fed until after the fourth week. 5. A light sprinkling of calcium only (no phosphorus) powder on the food given to downies or egg-laying hawks helps but is not sufficient to prevent the condition.

Answer 54

vitamin B1 supplementation

Answer 55

A bird with "stargazing syndrome" has inflammation of the brain and will stand with its head upward or backward over its shoulders. *A similar condition can be seen in birds with severe head trauma. Deficiency in vitamin B1 can cause lesions in the brain leading to stargazing behavior. Rapid treatment can be curative.

Answer 56

sunlight and vitamin D3 *A bird with "stargazing syndrome" has inflammation of the brain and will stand with its head upward or backward over its shoulders. The most common cause in raptors appears to be a vitamin D3 deficiency. Birds cannot absorb vitamin D2, which is the form most commonly found in vitamin capsules intended for human beings. Vitamin D3 is found in cod liver oil and in vitamin drops intended for birds. The normal source in raptors is the Sun’s ultra-violet irradiation of the oil on the feathers, which converts some of it into vitamin D3. Hence, putting the birds outside in the sunlight is a cure. Most other vitamin deficiencies can be avoided by feeding whole bodies of small birds and mammals or by giving a multi-vitamin powder occasionally on the meat.

Answer 57

False *Trauma, gunshot injuries, entanglement may result in bone fracture and significant tissue damage. Immediate veterinary must be sought out to limit the damage caused by the bone fragments and control infection. Immediate and proper alignment of broken bones, combined with appropriate antibiotic therapy and pain management have optimized the recovery of birds with fractured bones. Surgery, when indicated, hastens recovery and allows for a faster return to function.

Answer 58

requires immediate veterinary care which will include binding of the lead and supportive care. *Neurological signs are commonly seen in all raptors following ingestion of lead pellets; the signs can range from weakness to seizures and often include paralysis of the gastrointestinal tract. Lead toxicity can result in permanent and fatal damage to the brain, kidneys and pancreas. Death will result if treatment is delayed. Aggressive chelating therapy (use of binding agents to neutralize and get rid of lead), supportive care and monitoring of blood parameters (for anemia, liver and renal functions) and of blood lead levels, as well as radiographs (to monitor for the presence and expulsion of gunshots) are essential for the recovery of the animal.

Answer 59

a. be fatal b. result in poor quality feathers c. result in aberrant feather size and pigmentation

Answer 60

in a dark padded box, ideally with a hood covering the head *Raptors are not physiologically adapted to stay upside down for any period of time; strain to the joints and muscles may occur during struggle and restraint. Uncovered and wire cages will result in excessive exposure and self-inflicted injuries while the bird attempts to escape. Tape will result in damage to feathers and may severely compromise breathing. The carrier should be well ventilated, large enough so the bird does not touch any part of the crate when its wings are closed, that it can make positional adjustments, and has sufficient head and tail clearance. Padding the inside of the carrier is highly recommended.

Answer 61

cramp. *About the third day after the pain calls begin, the arching of the bones caused by muscle spasms can be seen in the long bones of the legs, more rarely in the wings as well. Death usually occurs on the fourth or fifth day after the first symptoms appear.

Answer 62

downies taken into captivity. *Cramp or rickets is a primary cause of death in eyases of any species taken in the downy stages and even occasionally in large downies. The younger the bird, the greater the care that must be taken to keep it warm at all times and at all costs. The disease can be avoided by assuring that young, older than three-days, receive finely chopped bone in the small mammals or the birds they are fed. Castings should not be fed until after the fourth week. A light sprinkling of calcium phosphorous powder on the food given to downies or egg-laying hawks is probably a good idea.

Answer 63

calcium deficiency caused by feeding lean beef.

Answer 64

1. are common in captive raptors 2. are usually easily treated 3. can cause death or debilitation

Answer 65

False. *There are many types of internal parasites that require specific medications for treatment. Parasites such as nematodes (round worms), cestodes (tapeworms) and protozoans (coccidia, giardia) all require different drugs for treatment.

Answer 66

Piperazine. Fenbendazole (Panacur)

Answer 67

Roundworms and Tapeworms

Answer 68

Praziquantel

Answer 69

False *Avian lice are usually not a parasite of serious concern. Healthy birds are able to groom off the lice and can resist an over abundance. Ill birds can become infested.

Answer 70

Maggots. *All eyases should be inspected for maggots (miasis) in the ears. The parasite is especially common in Cooper's Hawks in the southern part of their range, caused by the screwworm fly. It is also common in young Red-tailed Hawks.

Answer 71

Saline in the ears. *A few drops of saline will cause them to forsake the ear cavity and they can be readily removed and destroyed. The ear canal can be filled with saline solution and the maggots will float to the surface. Use forceps to carefully pick them out.

Answer 72

True *Hippoboscids are blood sucking parasites. Large numbers can create anemia and they are known to transmit haemoproteus (intracellular parasites that infect the red blood cells) and West Nile Virus. Birds with Hippoboscids should be treated immediately.