Raptor Medicine

Question 1

Falconiformes

Answer 1

• carnivorous
• altricial young
• molt annually

Question 2

Strigiformes

Answer 2

• mainly nocturnal
• carnivorous

Question 3

Falconry

Answer 3

Prone to developing problems assc w/ captivity like bumblefoot and aspergillosis

Question 4

Handling & restraint

Answer 4

• decrease visual & auditory stressors
• restrain head & talons
• control feet first, then head

Question 5

Housing

Answer 5

• quiet & decreased stressors
• appropriate perches
• adequate ventilation
• tail guards

Question 6

Feeding

Answer 6

• Whole prey (birds, rodents, fish)
• force feeding w/ chopped whole prey or tube feeding

Question 7

Trauma

Answer 7

• car accidents
• flying into stuff
• electrocution
• barbed wire entanglement
• leg hold traps

Question 8

Gout predisposing factors

Answer 8

• high protein dietary levels
• high calcium diets
• hypervitaminosis D
• poor renal function
• dehydration
• stress

Question 9

Tx for gout

Answer 9

• correct diet
• decrease Ca, Mg, P, and Vitamin D
• adequate Vitamin A & B

Question 10

Gout is seen in what types of birds?

Answer 10

Asian vultures

Question 11

How do birds get Lead toxicosis

Answer 11

• from ingesting lead in prey

Question 12

Lead tox clinical signs

Answer 12

• weakness
• inability to fly
• CNS signs
• emaciation

Question 13

Tx of lead toxicosis

Answer 13

• removal of lead from GIT
• chelation w/ CaEDTA or DMSA

Question 14

Pesticide tox caused by

Answer 14

• organophosphates and carbamates
• both are cholinesterase inhibitors
• raptors are victims of secondary poisoning

Question 15

Clinical signs of pesticide tox

Answer 15

• convulsions
• paralysis
• miosis
• dyspnea
• rodents clenched in talons

Question 16

Dx of pesticide tox

Answer 16

• ChE inhibition evidence in brain
• ID of pesticide residue in GI

Question 17

Pesticide tox Tx

Answer 17

Atropine and 2-PAM

Removal of crop contents

Question 18

Rodenticide tox signs

Answer 18

• excessive SQ or IM hemorrhage from superficial wounds
• sublethal effects (immune suppression, hepatitis, pancreatitis, renal disease)

Question 19

Common type of rodenticide tox found in raptors

Answer 19

Broudifacoum

Question 20

Tx for rodenticide tox

Answer 20

Vitamin K1 for 4-6 weeks

Question 21

Pox viruses

Answer 21

• cutaneous form
• bald eagles susc.
• lesions on non-feathered areas
• presumably spread via mosquitos

Question 22

West nile virus

Answer 22

• outbreaks: ‘03, ‘12, ‘18
• northern raptor species most susceptible( snowy owls, great grey owls, goshawks)
• clin signs: head tilt, ataxia, tremors, seizures

Question 23

Avian tuberculosis

Answer 23

• mycobacterium avium
• fecal-oral or ingestion via prey transmission
• chronic disease, weight loss
• GI form most common (respiratory, muscle, and general forms exist

Question 24

Pododermatitis

Answer 24

• falcons susceptible
• initial injuries: inappropriate perching surfaces & obesity
• staphylococcus aureus
• treat w/ appropriate abx, bandaging, sx, and correct predisposing conditions

Question 25

Trichomonas

Answer 25

• common in pigeons and doves -> consumed by raptors
• falcons susceptible
• tx: metronidazole
• in mucosa of oropharynx, esophagus, and crop