Vultures, Condors, Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Secretary Bird
Routine examinations: Regular health monitoring should be performed approximately every 12 – 24 months, as needed based on the animal’s age, health status, or other factors or opportunistically.
Procedures:
- Review medical record
- Physical exam, including BCS
- Obtain weight
- Verify or place transponder, band, or other permanent identifier
Diagnostics – Blood:
- CBC and biochemical profile
- Protein electrophoresis
- Bank plasma
- Heavy metal blood values
- Blood parasite screen
Diagnostics – Faeces:
- Faeces for ova and parasite screen
Diagnostics – Imaging:
- Whole body radiographs if indicated
- Cardiac and coelomic ultrasound if indicated
- Digital photographs if indicated
Diagnostics – Other:
- Morphometric measurements if requested
- Oral swab, wet mount for Trichomonas screening
Prophylactic treatments:
- Anthelmintics:
- Vaccines:
- WNV vaccine (see WNV protocol for individuals heading to a WNV area)
Quarantine procedures:
- Quarantined for a minimum of 30 days
- Same procedures as for routine exam plus placement of transponder
- Same diagnostics as for routine exam, 3 weekly faecal direct wet mounts/ faecal flotation
Neonatal procedures:
New hatchlings should be opportunistically examined for signs of unabsorbed yolk, congenital defects, body condition, and external parasites.
Blood or feathers should be collected for DNA sexing.