Raptor Medicine

Question 1

What are the 5 big general considerations in raptor rehabiliation?

Answer 1

Proper identification, equipment, facilities, nutrition/food, management and care

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

Falconiforms (hawks, falcons, eagles, vultures)

Question 3

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.

Answer 3

Stigiformes (all species of owls)

Question 4

What is the minimum amount equipment to restraint/handle raptors?

Answer 4

Leather gloves, towels, and eye protection

Question 5

(T/F) All raptors should have their feet controlled before the head.

Answer 5

False – exception is vultures

Question 6

What part do you want to keep in mind when handling/restraining raptors?

Answer 6

Do not compress sternum or lay on back and primary/tail feathers

Question 7

(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.

Answer 7

False – it is not recommended but there are a few exceptions

Question 8

Thiamine deficiency will happen if what food is given to raptors?

Answer 8

Piscivores fed frozen fish

Question 9

What will happen in raptors that have a vitamine E deficiency?

Answer 9

Hyaline degeneration/muscle necrosis

Question 10

If fed only muscle or organs only to a raptor, what kind of deficiency will raptors have?

Answer 10

Calcium

Question 11

If housed indoords for a long period of time, what kind of deficiency will raptors have?

Answer 11

Vitamin D

Question 12

If a raptor is hit by a car (head and eye injury) where would the lesion be located?

Answer 12

Contralaterally - because they will bounce off the highway

Question 13

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?

Answer 13

Electrocution

Question 14

In a case of frostbite, what clinical signs would be seen in a raptor?

Answer 14

Local ischemia, self mutilation

Question 15

What will raptors eat accidentally through the ingestion of prey that may cause toxicosis?

Answer 15

Lead

Question 16

A raptor is weak, depressed, has weight loss and nuerological signs, the top differential should be…

Answer 16

Lead toxicosis

Question 17

(T/F) You can diagnose lead toxicity through radiographs in a raptor.

Answer 17

False (formation of pellets)

Question 18

What are the levels of lead that will show clinical signs in raptors?

Answer 18

> 1.0 ppm ;
Normal 0.2-0.4ppm, elevated >0.5ppm, prognosis poor >2.0ppm

Question 19

What is the treatment of choice for lead toxicity for raptors?

Answer 19

Calcium disodium versenate (Calcium EDTA) - supportive care and removal of lead is also part of the treatment
Surgery is the last resort

Question 20

What is the major pathogen of bumble foot (Pododermatitis)?

Answer 20

Staph aureus

Question 21

(T/F) Orphaned raptors are not true orphans, they are branchers fledglings learning how to fly under the care of parents.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

How long will poor feeding lead to metabolic bone disease in raptors?

Answer 22

5-15 days of improper feed

Question 23

Blue eye is a congenital and temporary condition also called ____.

Answer 23

Juvenile cataracts

Question 24

What should be done in a case of avian tuberculosis (M. Avium) in a flock?

Answer 24

Quarantine, soil/bedding replacement, strict sanitation

Question 25

The clinical signs for avian tuberculosis are (specific/nonspecific)?

Answer 25

Nonspecific – chronic weight loss, weakness, exertional dyspnea

Question 26

(T/F) You can do a skin test for TB on a raptor.

Answer 26

False – it is always inconclusive

Question 27

In what two species of raptors is raptor herpesvirus most common in?

Answer 27

Falcons and eagles

Question 28

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?

Answer 28

Raptor herpesvirus

Question 29

What system does aspergiollosis infiltrate in raptors?

Answer 29

Respiratory tract

Question 30

What is one clinical sign that will bring aspergilliosis at the top of the differential list for raptors?

Answer 30

Voice change (clicking)

Question 31

What system does Canididasis infiltrate in raptors?

Answer 31

GI tract (pseudomemmbrane/plaque in mouth, crop, upper GI system)

Question 32

Which protozoan in raptors causes oral plaques/ulcerations and is treated with metronidazole?

Answer 32

Trichomonas

Question 33

What are the three hemoparasites that raptors can get?

Answer 33

Hemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, plasmodium

Question 34

(T/F) Raptors have bone with thin cortices which mean they break very easy, fractures are often comminuted.

Answer 34

True

Question 35

Instead of immobilizing raptors for a long time, what should be the treatment of choice?

Answer 35

PT to maximize range of motion post treatment

Question 36

List the 8 criteria for a raptor to be able to be released back in the wild.

Answer 36

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

Question 37

What is the ultimate goal for raptor rehabilitation?

Answer 37

Be able to release back into the wild