Introduction

This case outlines the combination of husbandry factors and veterinary treatment of skin lesions in raptors. Unless hygiene issues are addressed, lesions may become chronic. Regular assessment is necessary to monitor for progression to more severe pathology.

Husbandry

The Harris’ hawk (Box 11.1) was bred in captivity in the UK, and had been in the current owner’s possession for 1 month. He was housed in a covered aviary with three perches, of artificial turf-covered wood. The pea gravel substrate was cleaned as necessary. The bird was not tethered, but did wear leather leg equipment (aylmeri and jesses, Fig. 9.4). The diet comprised various whole carcases, including day-old chicks, rabbit and quail. Water was provided in a wide shallow bath (changed regularly). The owner was an experienced falconer who owned and worked other raptors besides this Harris’ hawk.

Case History

During catch-up for a training session, the owner noticed some lesions on the hawk’s feet. No change in appetite, demeanour, or perching or flying abilities had been noted. The owner thought there might have been some trauma from the enclosure, as the bird had been noted grasping the nylon netting of the aviary roof.

Clinical Examination

Harris’ hawks are relatively relaxed birds, particularly those accustomed to human contact. A full clinical examination was performed conscious:

Figure 11.1 Grade 2 bumblefoot lesions in the Harris’ hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus). (a) Right foot, (b) left foot.

CLINICAL TIPS

Physical examination of raptors

• Trained birds can usually have a general physical examination performed while the bird is standing on the owner’s fist (using a falconer’s glove and leg equipment) (Fig. 11.2a). It is helpful if the bird is hooded for this procedure, although this should be removed for examination of the head and oral cavity (Fig. 11.2a).

• Further examination, including detailed assessment of the feet, is best performed with the bird ‘cast’. The bird is approached from behind and a towel is wrapped around the body to restrain the wings. The legs should be grasped to avoid injury to the handler from talons (Fig. 11.2b). Larger birds may require general anaesthesia to relax the foot muscles and permit a full examination of the feet (Fig. 11.2b).

Figure 11.2 Restraint and examination of raptors (a) on the fist (scops owl, Otus spp) and (b) cast with a towel (steppe eagle hybrid, Aquila nipalensis hybrid).

Case Work-Up

In this case, clinical examination provided the diagnosis.

Other Possible Investigations

Ultrasound

In some cases it may be useful to use ultrasound to assess soft tissues underlying the skin or lesion. A stand-off will be required to optimize image quality. Doppler ultrasound probes can also be utilized to monitor blood supply to the digits if vascular compromise is suspected (Fig. 11.3).

Figure 11.3 Assessment of the blood supply to the foot of a hawk eagle (Hieraaetus spp) using a Doppler probe after tibiotarsal fracture.

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