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Published on: June 16, 2023
Cardiac Disease of Raptors
Seth C Oster1, Romain Pariaut2
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA, ostersc@auburn.edu.
Insights
Cardiac disease is a common raptor health issue, with varying prevalence in captive versus wild birds. This review covers raptor cardiovascular diseases, diagnostics, and current treatment limitations.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Avian Health
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiac disease is increasingly recognized as a significant health problem in birds of prey.
- Prevalence may differ between captive and wild raptor populations due to lifestyle and diet variations.
- Reported cardiovascular conditions include atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, and endocarditis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current information on cardiac diseases diagnosed in birds of prey.
- To outline diagnostic methods for identifying cardiac abnormalities.
- To discuss existing treatment options and highlight knowledge gaps.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on raptor cardiac disease.
- Compilation of data on diagnostic techniques such as radiography, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and CT angiography.
- Analysis of available information on therapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- Various cardiovascular diseases affect raptors, with prevalence influenced by environment.
- Standard diagnostic tools are available for identifying cardiac issues.
- Therapeutic treatment information for raptor cardiac disease is currently limited.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac disease is a notable concern in birds of prey.
- Accurate diagnosis is achievable with current imaging and testing modalities.
- Further research is critically needed to develop effective treatment strategies for raptor cardiovascular conditions.
Abstract:
Cardiac disease, in its various presentations, is being recognized as a common raptor health problem. Evidence suggests that the prevalence of cardiac disease varies between captive and wild bird of prey populations, probably because of differences in activity levels and diet. However, a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases have been reported to affect raptor species (captive and free living), including atherosclerosis, pathogenic arrhythmias, infectious cardiomyopathies, and endocarditis. Diagnostic testing used to identify cardiac abnormalities include radiographic imaging, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and computed tomography angiograms. Information pertaining to therapeutic treatment for raptor cardiac disease patients is inadequate or has not been investigated. This review of cardiac disease will provide current information regarding cardiac diseases that are diagnosed in birds of prey, diagnostic testing, and treatment options.
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