Cardiomyopathy in a Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Cardiology
• Avian Medicine
• Wildlife Rehabilitation

Background:

• Cardiac disease is a potential concern in raptors, though often underdiagnosed.
• This case involves a Harris hawk presenting with recurrent collapse during an educational program.

Observation:

• The hawk exhibited acute collapse episodes with no initial abnormalities on physical or hematologic exams.
• Radiography showed a prior tibiotarsal fracture, and coelioscopy revealed anthracosis, but no fungal infection.
• Recurrent collapse prompted advanced diagnostics, including transcoelomic and transesophageal echocardiography and CT angiocardiography.

Findings:

• Diagnostic imaging was consistent with cardiomyopathy in the Harris hawk.
• Treatment with furosemide and pimobendan was initiated, with dosage adjustments based on plasma concentrations.
• Necropsy revealed cardiomegaly, but no definitive cause for the cardiac dysfunction was identified.

Implications:

• Advanced imaging techniques are valuable for diagnosing cardiac disease in raptors.
• Cardiomyopathy may be an underrecognized cause of collapse and mortality in avian species.
• Further research is needed to understand the prevalence and etiology of cardiac disease in wild birds.