Clinical signs and diagnosis of thiamine deficiency in juvenile goshawks (Accipiter gentilis )

Central nervous signs, blindness and cerebral vermicosis in free-ranging peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) associated with aberrant larval migrations

Four free-ranging peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) were submitted with a history of unilateral or bilateral blindness and central nervous signs to a veterinary clinic in Germany. There were no indications of trauma or ocular disease. Likewise, other differential diagnoses for CNS signs were ruled out within the diagnostic process. The clinical diagnostic panel in live falcons included general examination, radiography, endoscopy, hematology, ophthalmoscopy and parasitological examination of the feces, blood gas analysis and blood chemistry as well as computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A complete pathological and histopathological examination was performed post-mortem. The only common finding in all birds was an infection with the nematode parasite Serratospiculum tendo. The parasite was confirmed morphologically and via PCR. In two falcons intracerebral vermicoses was suspected in MRI and confirmed in subsequent histopathology, but molecular biological identification of the parasite species failed from brain tissue. Until today, S. tendo had been reported to affect the respiratory system, the liver and different parts of the gastrointestinal tract and to cause cachexia, inappetence, regurgitation, dyspnea and general signs of illness such as lethargy, poor plumage, and reduced reproduction. Our findings indicate that aberrant migration should be considered as cause for CNS signs in falcons. As S. tendo might be a possible cause for this, CNS signs might be included in the list of clinical signs of serratospiculiasis in falcons.

Veterinary Aspects of Bird of Prey Reproduction

Captive breeding has contributed to successful restoration of many species of birds of prey. Avicultural techniques pioneered by raptor breeders include double clutching, direct fostering, cross-fostering, hatch and switch, hacking, imprinting male and female falcons for semen collection, and artificial insemination techniques. However, reproductive failure occurs related to management problems, including hygiene measures, food quality issues, breeding flock structure, or individual health issues of breeding birds. These may result in non-egg laying females, low-quality eggs, or infertile eggs caused by male infertility. Veterinary care of breeding collections is extremely important. This article provides an overview of veterinary involvement in raptor breeding projects.

Serum concentrations of vitamins and trace elements in clinically healthy greater flamingos (Phoeniconaias phoenicopterus rubeus) and lesser flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor)

Analysis of vitamins and trace elements has gained importance in avian medicine in recent years. It has become evident that interpretation should be based on species-specific reference intervals due to differences in intervals between species. This study was performed to evaluate the blood concentrations of vitamins A (retinol), B1 (thiamine), C (ascorbic acid), and E (alpha-tocopherol) and trace elements copper, selenium, and zinc for greater flamingos (Phoeniconaias (Phoenicopterus) rubeus) and lesser flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor). Reference intervals of vitamins and trace elements are presented for clinically healthy flamingos. Thirty-six clinically healthy greater flamingos, divided into male and female groups, and 14 healthy lesser flamingos were evaluated. There was no significant difference in the vitamin and trace element concentrations between male and female greater flamingos, but there was a statistically significant difference between greater flamingos and lesser flamingos for ascorbic acid, copper, and selenium. Blood concentration of ascorbic acid was greater (P < 0.001) in lesser flamingos (122.66 +/- 31.53 microM) than in male and female greater flamingos (40.53 +/- 13.83 and 30.44 +/- 11.43 microM, respectively). Blood concentrations of copper and selenium were greater (P < 0.001) in greater flamingos (copper: 5.57 +/- 1.3 microM for males, 5.65 +/- 1.53 microM for females; selenium: 2.74 +/- 0.43 microM for males, 2.54 +/- 0.7 microM for females) than lesser flamingos (copper: 2.45 +/- 1.96 microM; selenium: 0.45 +/- 0.29 microM). The mean +/- SD of vitamins A, B1, and E and zinc are reported as entire group (male and female greater flamingos and lesser flamingos): vitamin A, 1.54 +/- 0.45 micromM; thiamine, 0.49 +/- 0.07 jM; vitamin E, 31 +/- 9.8 micromol/L; and zinc, 29.52 +/- 6.49 microM.