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Avian Diseases 47(3):774-776. 2003
doi: 10.1637/6097

Congenital Skeletal Abnormalities in a Tawny Owl Chick (Strix aluco)

Andrés Barreiro, Patricia Fdez de Trocóniz, Mónica Vila, Ana M. López-Beceiro, and José L. Pereira

aDepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Santiago de Compostela, Avenida Carballo Calero s/n, Lugo, E-27002, Spain

bDepartment of Anatomy and Animal Production, Veterinary Faculty, University of Santiago de Compostela, Avenida Carballo Calero s/n, Lugo, E-27002, Spain

Abstract

In this case report, we describe a tawny owl chick (Strix aluco) coming from a Wild Fauna Recovery Center with multiple congenital malformations in the limbs. The animal was unable to fly and showed marked malnutrition and poor general appearance. Physical, radiologic, and anatomic examinations showed osseous malformations including dislocation of radius and carpometacarpus with abnormal nonfunctional fixation of ligamentum propatagialis, absence of most parts of the bones of the manus in both wings, and twisted nonfused left tarsometatarsus with marked griphosis of digits. Routine toxicologic and pathologic examinations did not reveal a specific etiology.

Resumen

Reporte de Caso—Anormalidades esqueléticas en un pollo de cárabo (Strix aluco).

Se describe el caso de un pollo de cárabo (Strix aluco) procedente de un Centro de Recuperación de Fauna Salvaje, con varias malformaciones congénitas que afectaban a las extremidades. El animal estaba imposibilitado para volar y mostraba signos evidentes de malnutrición así como un mal estado general. Los exámenes físicos, radiológicos y anatómicos mostraron malformaciones óseas que incluyeron la dislocación entre el radio y el carpometacarpo con fijación anormal y afuncional del ligamento propatagial y ausencia de la mayor parte de los huesos de la mano en ambas alas, así como la rotación y falta de fusión del tibiotarso izquierdo con marcada grifosis de los dedos. Los exámenes de laboratorio rutinarios de toxicología y anatomía patológica no revelaron una etiología específica.

Received: November 21, 2002

Keywords: tawny owl, Strix aluco, developmental abnormalities, skeletal deformities, congenital malformations



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Fig. 1. Right (R) and left (L) wings. Ventral view. Bilateral dislocation of the radius (arrow) and absence of the alular digit. Fig. 2. Bones of the right (R) and left (L) wings in ventral view disposition. Sesamoid “os prominens” (arrow), ankylosed phalanx (star), and marked digital agenesis. Fig. 3. Left hind foot (a), skin removed (b), and bones (c). Notice twisted, partially nonfused tarsometatarsus

 
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