Raptor Medicine Flashcards
What are the 5 big general considerations in raptor rehabiliation?
Proper identification, equipment, facilities, nutrition/food, management and care
What is the taxonomy of the next raptors and give an example: Diurnal birds, females usually larger, some are sexually dimorphism, crop present and vestigial ceca.
Falconiforms (hawks, falcons, eagles, vultures)
What is the taxonomy of the next raptors and give an example: Most nocturnal, few diurnal birds, no distinct sexual dimorphism, females usually larger, well developed ceca and no crop present.
Stigiformes (all species of owls)
What is the minimum amount equipment to restraint/handle raptors?
Leather gloves, towels, and eye protection
(T/F) All raptors should have their feet controlled before the head.
False – exception is vultures
What part do you want to keep in mind when handling/restraining raptors?
Do not compress sternum or lay on back and primary/tail feathers
(T/F) It is ok to feed live food to rehab raptors because they are whole prey and they need to get used to hunting again.
False – it is not recommended but there are a few exceptions
Thiamine deficiency will happen if what food is given to raptors?
Piscivores fed frozen fish
What will happen in raptors that have a vitamine E deficiency?
Hyaline degeneration/muscle necrosis
If fed only muscle or organs only to a raptor, what kind of deficiency will raptors have?
Calcium
If housed indoords for a long period of time, what kind of deficiency will raptors have?
Vitamin D
If a raptor is hit by a car (head and eye injury) where would the lesion be located?
Contralaterally - because they will bounce off the highway
If a raptor comes in with burned feathers/tissue, tissue necrosis, muscle convulsions, bone and spinal fractures, neurologic problems, shock and arrhythmias, what is the most likely cause?
Electrocution
In a case of frostbite, what clinical signs would be seen in a raptor?
Local ischemia, self mutilation
What will raptors eat accidentally through the ingestion of prey that may cause toxicosis?
Lead
A raptor is weak, depressed, has weight loss and nuerological signs, the top differential should be…
Lead toxicosis
(T/F) You can diagnose lead toxicity through radiographs in a raptor.
False (formation of pellets)
What are the levels of lead that will show clinical signs in raptors?
> 1.0 ppm ;
Normal 0.2-0.4ppm, elevated >0.5ppm, prognosis poor >2.0ppm
What is the treatment of choice for lead toxicity for raptors?
Calcium disodium versenate (Calcium EDTA) - supportive care and removal of lead is also part of the treatment
Surgery is the last resort
What is the major pathogen of bumble foot (Pododermatitis)?
Staph aureus
(T/F) Orphaned raptors are not true orphans, they are branchers fledglings learning how to fly under the care of parents.
True
How long will poor feeding lead to metabolic bone disease in raptors?
5-15 days of improper feed
Blue eye is a congenital and temporary condition also called ____.
Juvenile cataracts
What should be done in a case of avian tuberculosis (M. Avium) in a flock?
Quarantine, soil/bedding replacement, strict sanitation
The clinical signs for avian tuberculosis are (specific/nonspecific)?
Nonspecific – chronic weight loss, weakness, exertional dyspnea
(T/F) You can do a skin test for TB on a raptor.
False – it is always inconclusive
In what two species of raptors is raptor herpesvirus most common in?
Falcons and eagles
Histopathology came back in a raptor that was weak, anorexic for 2 days and suddenly died. The report said it had eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in the liver, what virus did he have?
Raptor herpesvirus
What system does aspergiollosis infiltrate in raptors?
Respiratory tract
What is one clinical sign that will bring aspergilliosis at the top of the differential list for raptors?
Voice change (clicking)
What system does Canididasis infiltrate in raptors?
GI tract (pseudomemmbrane/plaque in mouth, crop, upper GI system)
Which protozoan in raptors causes oral plaques/ulcerations and is treated with metronidazole?
Trichomonas
What are the three hemoparasites that raptors can get?
Hemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, plasmodium
(T/F) Raptors have bone with thin cortices which mean they break very easy, fractures are often comminuted.
True
Instead of immobilizing raptors for a long time, what should be the treatment of choice?
PT to maximize range of motion post treatment
List the 8 criteria for a raptor to be able to be released back in the wild.
100% return to function, normal vision
Normal feather condition,
Psychologically/behaviorally normal,
Normal hunting skills,
Suitable condition of bird,
Suitable location and time of year
What is the ultimate goal for raptor rehabilitation?
Be able to release back into the wild
