A MYELOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE FOR AVIAN SPECIES

A post-mortem myelogram was used to diagnose a vertebral fracture in a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). This diagnosis led the authors t o believe that myelography would be useful in live birds, In a pilot s tudy using live adult female chickens (Gallus domesticus), mammalian m yelographic techniques were modified for avian anatomic differences, A thoracolumbar puncture site was used rather than the lumbar or cister nal site which is commonly used in mammals, The volume of contrast med ium needed to produce a diagnostic myelogram in birds (0.8-1.2 ml/kg) was found to be approximately four Limes that needed in mammals, A 25 gauge spinal needle was used rather than a 23 gauge needle, Myelograms of diagnostic quality were obtained with normal subject recovery, Sei zures, the most common post-myelographic complication in mammals, were not observed in any of the birds studied, Avian myelography was found to be a cost effective and humane technique with potential applicatio n to avian practice.