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1 March 2015 MULTIFOCAL RESPIRATORY AND VERTEBRAL MYCOBACTERIOSIS IN A RED-TAILED HAWK (BUTEO JAMAICENSIS)
Miranda J. Sadar, David McRuer, Michelle G. Hawkins, Aníbal G. Armién
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Abstract

An adult, female, free-ranging red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) was presented to a rehabilitation facility for an inability to stand. On examination, it displayed bilateral exaggeration of the pelvic limb reflexes with extensor muscle rigidity, intact superficial pain response, and positive withdrawal reflexes. A complete blood count identified moderate leukocytosis characterized by moderate heterophilia. No abnormalities were appreciable on radiographic evaluation. After initial improvement, it regressed and was euthanized 27 days after presentation. Necropsy and histologic investigation identified reduction in the diameter of the vertebral canal and spinal cord at cervical segments 8–9 with coalescing granulomas and intralesional acid-fast bacilli within the intertrabecular space, left side of the clavicular air sac, and cranial left lung. Bacterial culture and genetic sequencing from respiratory lesions identified Mycobacterium avium avium. Real time-polymerase chain reaction of paraffin-fixed spinal tissue tested positive for M. avium complex. Mycobacteriosis should be considered when peripheral neurologic deficits are present in raptors.

American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Miranda J. Sadar, David McRuer, Michelle G. Hawkins, and Aníbal G. Armién "MULTIFOCAL RESPIRATORY AND VERTEBRAL MYCOBACTERIOSIS IN A RED-TAILED HAWK (BUTEO JAMAICENSIS)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 46(1), 150-154, (1 March 2015). https://doi.org/10.1638/2013-0247R4.1
Received: 7 November 2013; Published: 1 March 2015
KEYWORDS
Avian
Buteo jamaicensis
cervical vertebrae
Mycobacterium avium avium
red-tailed hawk
spinal
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