• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.218-220
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• 2008

A 1.4 kg adult great homed owl was presented to the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary Teaching Hospital after being found by the side of the highway. Physical examination revealed soft tissue injuries to the left wing and leg, and good body condition (body score 4/5). The radiographs revealed comminuted fracture of the diaphysis of the left tibiotarsus (severe) and ulna (mild). Closed reduction of the fracture was performed to the left tibiotarsus and ulna. System combining an intramedually (IM) Kirschner pin, IM Kirschner pin for external skeletal fixation, and polymethylmethacrylate was used for fracture repair. At 13 weeks, radiographs revealed that bridging callus was well formed over cortices of the fracture area. No physical, behavioral, or other assessable impairment was found during the rehabilitation period.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.215-217
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• 2008

Medical records from the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of Missouri-Columbia from 2004 to 2007 were available for 28 raptors that underwent long bone fracture repair. There were 14 owls, 10 hawks, 2 vultures, 1 eagle, and 1 falcon. Mean body weight was 780 g (ranged from 150 to 1400 g) for 14 owls; 650 g (ranged from 150 to 1270 g) for 10 hawks; 1760 g (ranged from 1520 to 2000 g) for 2 vultures; 5000 g for 1 eagle; and 130 g for 1 falcon. Of all 28 fracture cases, 11 cases (39%) and 1 case (3%) were related to hit-by-car and shooting respectively. Physical examination revealed dehydration in 18 raptors (64%) and lethargy in 12 raptors (42%). Forty one long bone fractures were included in 28 cases. The radiographs revealed 13 ulnar fractures (32%), 12 humeral fractures (30%), 10 radial fractures (25%), 4 tibiotarsal fractures (9%), 1 femoral fracture (2%), and 1 fibular fracture (2%). External skeletal fixation using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) combined with intramedullary fixation was used in 19 long bone fractures (46%). Intramedullary fixation using intramedullary Kirschner pin was used in 16 long bone fractures (39%). No surgical treatment was performed in 6 long bone fractures (15%). This study reported that many of raptors presented dehydration and lethargy when admitted for treatment. Therefore, proper hydration and nutrition are critical pre-surgical requirements. In addition, combination of internal fixation and external skeletal fixation using PMMA might be better option to treat raptors with comminuted fracture that results from mostly trauma of hit-by-car.