Introduction to Raptors PDF

Introduction to Raptors CODE: Dr Sharmini Julita Paramasivam DVM, MSc, SFHEA Associate Professor Slides adapted from Dr Hayley Bruce BVetMed FHEA MRCVS Learning Objectives 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. #uniofsurrey To become familiar with the terminology used in relation to birds of prey and their equipment....

Introduction to Raptors CODE: Dr Sharmini Julita Paramasivam DVM, MSc, SFHEA Associate Professor Slides adapted from Dr Hayley Bruce BVetMed FHEA MRCVS Learning Objectives 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. #uniofsurrey To become familiar with the terminology used in relation to birds of prey and their equipment. To learn about the correct husbandry for different types of birds of prey. To learn about the techniques used to safety handle birds of prey. To learn about the common diseases and injuries found in birds of prey and how these are diagnosed and treated. To become familiar with the clinical skills used with birds of prey 2 Birds of Prey » Falconry = the keeping of falcons (or other birds of prey) and training them to hunt wild animals (sport). » Birds are kept for private falconry, displays, zoos and breeding collections. » Wild bird of prey also commonly present in practice. #uniofsurrey 3 UK Law • Illegal to take any raptor from the wild and keep them without a licence... • UNLESS it is receiving treatment from a vet or person registered to treat and release. • Licencing by Defra. • No licence is needed to own or fly captive bred birds of prey. • all wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Some stats from 2018: In the five year measurable period there have been 262 incidents in England and Wales: 146 of these caused by shooting and 66 by poisoning. The majority of incidents took place against buzzards (108), followed by owls (40), red kites (39) and peregrine hawks (34). #universityofsurrey 4 Birds of Prey Class Hawks (‘shortwings’) Examples Goshawk, Sparrowhawk Falcons (‘longwings’) Peregrine Falcon, Saker, Merlin, Kestrel Buzzards (‘broadwings’) Eagles Owls Common buzzard, Harris hawk Golden Eagle Barn Owl Tony Hall (2019). Falconry Basics. An introduction to the care, maintenance and training of birds of prey #universityofsurrey 5 Birds of Prey This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND Harris Hawk #universityofsurrey This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY Peregrine Falcon Merlin Common Buzzard 6 Husbandry A lot of injuries can be due to husbandry e.g sand impactions, jesses rubbing, bumblefoot etc. Two basic systems: 1) Tethered on blocks or perches 2) Aviaries (or ‘free lofting’) What system should be used? #universityofsurrey 7 Husbandry Perch types: 1) Bow 2) Block What type should be used? Perch surfaces: 1) Astroturf 2) Nylon rope 3) Natural materials (e.g bark, coork etc) What surface should be used? #universityofsurrey 8 Diet » Raptors eat an entire carcass and then regurgitate the bones and feather/fur (the indigestible part). » Do not feed pure muscle (not a balanced diet). » Feeding the same each day will not be balanced e.g mix chicks, rodents, rabbit. » How food is sourced/kept/frozen/defrosted is very important. » Ca:P ratio is the important factor. » Always provide fresh water for bathing and drinking. » Diet should be tailored to activity, weighing birds daily allows for this. A good falconer will know their bird, if they say their bird is sick take them seriously (early signs). #universityofsurrey 9 Flying ‘Furniture’ » Aylmeri/Ancklet » Jesse » Swivel » Leash Jesse Swivel Aylmeri Leash #universityofsurrey 10 Terminology » Flight weight – ideal weigh for flying (lowest weight that allows optimal performance) » Cast (1) – the method to hold a bird for examination » Cast (2) – to regurgitate a pellet » Cast (3) – two or more birds flown together » Cast off – released from the fist » Casting – indigestible part of the diet » Foot (or footing) – When a bird strikes with its feet (it hurts!!) #universityofsurrey 11 Terminology » Imping – Replacement of damaged feathers, gluing a new tip onto a broken feather (allows precision in flying) » Mutes – droppings/faeces » Manned (to man) – a bird that has been tamed and is used to humans » Mews – building that a bird is kept/trained in » Hood – leather cap that covers a birds face, used to calm birds. #universityofsurrey 12 Safe Handling » Always cast a bird of prey to examine it. » If the bird is used to a hood always hood first to reduce stress. » Always watch the FEET not beak! You do not want to get footed. » Falconers weigh birds daily so can ask for this, will usually be given in pounds (lbs). #universityofsurrey 13 Casting » Using a towel, grasp the bird from behind, both hands should be around the wings/birds body. » Next wrap the towel around the body, ideally cover head (if not hooded). » Careful not to restrict breathing! » Then place one side of the bird against your body and move one hand to place your fingers around the birds legs to hold the feet » Once casted an assistant/owner can hold the bird for you in the towel - tell them not to restrict breathing or let go of legs! » You can now conduct your physical exam. Chitty, J. (2010). Birds of Prey. In: A. Meredith and C. Johnson-Delaney, ed., BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets: A Foundation Manual, 5th ed. pp.200-2020. #universityofsurrey 14 Common Conditions » Aspergillosis » Enteritis » Coccidiosis » Capillaria » Lead Poinsoning » Crop Stasis » Frost Bite » Wing tip oedema » Pododermatisis » Blunt Trauma » Fractures #universityofsurrey 15 Aspergillosis » Fungal spores in environment (opportunistic). » Individual birds susceptible. » Found in moulds within soil, feed and hay. » Fungal pneumonia, air sacculitis and granulomas. » Acute and chronic forms Signs: » Weight loss » Lethergy » Behaviour change/poor performance » Voice change (acute EMERGENCY) #universityofsurrey 16 Aspergillosis Diagnosis: Treatment: » Bloods (Haem/biochem) » Surgery (endoscopy) to remove plaques » PCR blood test (IDs A.fumigatus and A.terreus, A.niger and A.flavus) » Nebulisation (F10 1:250) » Radiographs » Hygiene (antifungal disinfectants, travel boxes!) » Endoscopy » Medical (Voriconazole 12.5 mg/kg PO BID) » Culture (takes a long time) » Cytology » Histopathology #universityofsurrey 17 Enteritis Abnormal mutes is the main clinical sign. They can also vomit or regurgitate, have melena or undigested food in the faeces and anorexia. Causes: » Bacterial » Viral » Fungal » Endoparasitic » Toxicity » Other (e.g neoplasia, foreign bodies) Acute enteritis is an emergency – needs supportive care/fluids Usually work up – faecal parasitology, haematology, biochemistry, imaging with a crop wash/culture. #universityofsurrey 18 White plaques In Mouth Ddx = Capillaria, Trichomonas, candida, pox virus Photo: Common Diseases In Birds Of Prey –Part 1 Marie Kubiak #universityofsurrey 19 White Plaques In Mouth Capillaria » Most common nematode in captive raptors (commonly eat earthworms). Clinical signs = head shaking, white/yellow plaques in mouth, diarrhoea, weight loss, lethargy. Dx = faecal parasitology Tx = fenbendazole. #universityofsurrey 20 White Plaques In Mouth Trichomonas » Protozoa effecting the mouth, oesophagus and crop. » Common in birds of prey eating pigeons. » To prevent it always freeze pigeons before defrosting and feeding. Clinical signs = white/yellow plaques in mouth and head flicking. Dx = moving flagella on microscopic exam of plaques with saline Tx = metronidazole or carnidazole e.g Harkers #universityofsurrey 21 Lead Poisoning » Exposure = eating shot wildlife (lead pellets) » Clinical signs due to damage to the gastrointestinal tract, RBCs, kidneys and liver. » Lethargy, anaemia, gastrointestinal signs, and neurological signs (e.g tremors). Diagnosis: » Bloods can show non-regenerative anaemia, liver and kidney damage. » Radiographs can show radiolucent lead particles in GIT tract. » Blood lead levels diagnose/confirm toxicity. #universityofsurrey 22 Lead Poisoning Treatment: » REMOVE LEAD (small particles pass through in 4-5 days, bigger particles will need removing by endoscope or surgery). » Calcium EDTA (20‐40mg/kg IM) is a commonly used chelating drug. » Supportive care (fluids, warmth, feeds etc). #universityofsurrey 23 Crop Stasis The crop is a storage organ, does not digest. If crop emptying is prolonged (stasis), the meat will putrefy. Causes: » Crop infection » Inappropriate food » Dehydration » Low body condition » Over full crop/over gorging #universityofsurrey 24 Crop Stasis » Patients may appear bright with a distended crop or collapsed and in shock (toxaemia). » Always remove the content of the crop first of all, even though the GA is risky. Tx: Ingluviotomy, antifungal (e.g nystatin), antibiotics, supportive care (fluids, crop feeds, warmth etc) Ingluviotomy - refer to Avian Surgery lecture on 1/11/19 NEVER FEED A BIRD OF PREY IF A CAST HAS NOT YET BEEN REGURGITATED = RISK OF GIT OBSTRUCTION #universityofsurrey 25 Wing Tip Oedema » WTONS = Wing tip oedema and necrosis syndrome » Reduced blood flow to wing tips. Unknown cause. » Feather loss, oedema and necrotic tissue at the tips of wings. » Treat with vascular stimulants (isoxsuprine) » Radiograph - carpus bone involvement? » Prevention – keep birds warm and dry Photo: Wing Tip Oedema: Neil Forbes #universityofsurrey 26 Head Trauma » Commonly occurs when hunting, hit by cars etc. » Always do an ophthalmic exam with found wild birds of prey. Ophthalmic exam: » No tapetum lucidum (no reflection of light). » Pecten - function is to supply blood to the retina. » Always check for ocular haemorrhage. » If sight is poor (suggesting complete detachment of the pecten) prognosis is poor. #universityofsurrey 27 Pododermatitis #universityofsurrey 28 Pododermatitis Causes in birds of prey: » Injury (e.g rodent bites) » Self injury (own talon into sole of the foot) » Incorrect perch/perch covering » Poor perch hygiene » Obesity » Hypovitaminosis A Organisms commonly involved – Staphs, E.coli, Proteus, candida #universityofsurrey 29 Pododermatitis Type 1 Treatment: Type 2-3 Treatment: » Balanced diet » Culture and sensitivity » Clean environment » Oral Antibiotics (e.g co-amoxyclav) » Cover perches » F10 barrier cream (fungal and bacteria) » Handle and fly more/free loft #universityofsurrey 30 Pododermatitis Type 4-5 Treatment, same as type 2-3 PLUS… » Surgery to debride and shell out puss/necrotic core » Dressings (ball bandage/shoe bandage) #universityofsurrey 31 Fractures (See Avian Surgery Lecture 1/11/19) » Tibiotarsal and wing fractures due to trauma are common » Birds of prey need accuracy in flight for hunting – so best repair needed to restore limb function (this usually means using a “Hybrid” fixation). Repair Methods: » Cage rest only (pelvis or clavicle) » External stabilisation (if a bone is too small for internal stabilisation) » Internal fixation (IM pins work well in avian bones) » “Hybrid” fixation (IM pins with external skeletal fixators) #universityofsurrey 32 Blood Sampling » Preferred site is jugular vein. » Brachial wing vein can be used » Medial metatarsal vein is great to use but CARE with feet. Photos: Chitty, J. (2010). Birds of Prey. In: A. Meredith and C. Johnson-Delaney, ed., BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets: A Foundation Manual, 5th ed. pp.200-2020. #universityofsurrey 33 Emergency Care » Intravenous fluids – if collapsed can do 10ml/kg/min fluid bolus. » Intraosseous fluids – Sterile insertion. Distal ulnar or proximal tibia. 10ml/kg/hr rate. » Crop tube fluids - 12ml/kg (if owl use a stomach tube and 8ml/kg). » Analgesia – NSAIDs, butorphanol, buprenorphine. » Intubate (ET tube) or air sac cannula if not breathing. Ventilate/oxygenate. » Crop or stomach tube nutrients/fluids (12ml/kg) #universityofsurrey 34 Medication » Oral medication – via crop/stomach tube or inject/insert medication into meat/carcass feeds. Use flexible tube to feed. » Muscle injections – Caudal third of pectoral muscles. Avoid legs muscles due to renal portal system. » Subcutaneous injections - poor absorption rate. » Avoid muscular injections if possible, especially irritable substances (can effect flight/performance) » Nebulising is effective in birds with respiratory disease. #universityofsurrey 35 Further Reading • Chitty, J. and Lierz, M. (2008). BSAVA manual of raptors, pigeons and passerine birds Quedgeley: British Small Animal Veterinary Association. • Carpenter, J. and Marion, C. (2017). Exotic Animal Formulary. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences. • Forbes, N. and Flint, C. (2000). Raptor nutrition. [Place of publication not identified]: Honeybrook Farm Animal Foods. • Heidenreich, M. (1997). Birds of prey. Oxford: Blackwell Science. #universityofsurrey 36 37