Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Surgical treatment of bumblefoot in a captive golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Document Type : Clinical Report

Authors

Seyedeh Leila Poorbaghi 1
Moosa Javdani 2
Saeed Nazifi 3

1 Department of Poultry Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran

2 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Razi, Kermanshah, Iran

3 Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract
The golden eagle is one of the world's largest living birds. Footpad dermatitis, also known as plantar pododermatitis or bumblefoot, is a condition characterized by lesions due to contact with unhealthy "perching" conditions, such as plastic perches, sharp-cornered perches on the ventral footpad of birds. A young female golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) in Fars province of Iran was presented to veterinary clinics of Shiraz University with clinical signs of lameness. The bird was examined clinically and a variety of complementary diagnostic procedures such as blood analysis, X-ray and bacteriological culture were performed. Then a surgical method was pick out for removing of scab, pus and necrotic tissues from abscess on the plantar aspect of bird's feet and healing the skin of area. After surgery, specific bandage, systemic antibiotics and vitamins were used. Corynebacterium, a gram negative bacterium, was isolated in the pus from the abscess. After the surgical operation, swelling in the digital pad reduced, the skin of pad healed and the signs of lameness vanished. To prevent developing bumblefoot, good bedding for proper "perching" conditions is necessary. Additionally, vitamin therapy to promote a healthy integument is advised.

Keywords

Bumblefoot
Golden eagle
Footpad
Corynebacterium

  • Receive Date 28 December 2012

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