Serratospiculosis in a New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae)

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: An adult New Zealand falcon was presented with metacarpal fractures in the left wing.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: In addition to the fractures, radiographs revealed an area of opacity in the air sacs. A few days after hospitalisation and initiation of treatment of the fractures, the bird developed signs of respiratory disease; the area of opacity was found to have increased in size and density. Treatment with antibiotics and nebulisation was commenced; the bird initially responded but respiratory signs subsequently worsened and the bird died. At necropsy, air sacculitis and bronchopneumonia were associated with numerous nematodes in the air sacs, which were morphologically consistent with Serratospiculum guttatum.

DIAGNOSIS: Serratospiculosis

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The discovery of this parasite and the associated disease for the first time in New Zealand indicates that it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of respiratory disease in falcons and possibly other raptors in New Zealand.

KEY WORDS:

• Serratospiculum guttatum
• New Zealand falcon
• respiratory disease
• air sacculitis

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Maurice Alley, Keith Thompson, Pat Davey and Evelyn Lupton of IVABS, Massey University; and Jenni Donald and Roz Power of New Zealand Veterinary Pathology, Palmerston North, for their assistance with various aspects of the case. Thanks to Alastair Johnstone for assistance with photography of the parasite. We also thank Jaime Samour of the Falcon Medical and Research Hospital, Fahad bin Sultan Falcon Centre, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for his support and provision of Figure 5.