DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY OF RAPTORS WITH A COMPILATION OF CASES 1985-1994

This article summarises the clinical findings in 554 birds of prey, th at were admitted to the zoo animal and exotic pet clinic of the veteri nary faculty in Zurich between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 1994. De tails on the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis are intended to give the practitioner information on the possibilities for the management of d iseased raptors. However, it has to be emphasized that the ultimate go al of treatment has to be the rehabilitation of an animal that will be able to survive to a suitable environment. The data presented shows t hat 31% of the birds of prey were successfully released. The most freq uent reason for admission was trauma and 47% of the patients had one o r more fractures. But only one out of three fractures was considered s uitable for treatment. The management of birds that are starving is a challenge because they require a special dietary regimen. Successful w ork in the field of the treatment and rehabilitation of raptors requir es detailed knowledge of their biology and medicine.