ABSTRACT
A total of 3975 fecal samples, originated from the same number of individual birds, from 7 dedicated falcon hospitals, were examined to determine the prevalence of Caryospora species in the falcon population used in the sport of falconry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). From that total, 297 (7.5%) were positive for the presence of Caryospora species. The falcons were all captive bred within the UAE and abroad, mainly from Germany, Spain, the United States, and Canada. Positive samples for the presence of Caryospora species were sporulated, and the taxonomy was established based on morphologic characteristics. The results showed the prevalence of the following Caryospora species: C kutzeri 41.4%, C neofalconis 25.6%, C megafalconis 18.2%, C falconis 10.4%, C cherrughi 3.7%, and C boeri 0.7%. The prevalence of Caryospora species among the various falcon species in this study was: gyr × peregrine hybrid falcons ( Falco rusticolus × Falco peregrinus), 27.3%; gyr falcons ( Falco rusticolus), 25.6%; peregrine falcons ( Falco peregrinus), 20.5%; saker falcons ( Falco cherrug), 16.5%; gyr × saker hybrid falcons ( Falco rusticolus × Falco cherrug), 8.1%; Eurasian kestrels ( Falco tinnunculus), 1%; red-napped shaheen ( Falco pelegrinoides babylonicus), 0.7%; and American kestrels ( Falco sparverius), 0.3%.
Subject(s)
Bird Diseases/parasitology , Coccidiosis/veterinary , Eimeriidae/isolation & purification , Falconiformes , Animals , Bird Diseases/epidemiology , Coccidiosis/epidemiology , Coccidiosis/parasitology , Eimeriidae/classification , Prevalence , United Arab Emirates/epidemiologyABSTRACT
A study was conducted to determine the health status of the free-living spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx spp.) population at Wrsan, Al Ajban, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. A total of 90 spiny-tailed lizards, 61 males and 29 females, were examined from June to August 2006. Mean body weights were 1,564.4 g and 809.4 g for males and females, respectively. Mean body lengths were 62.1 cm and 49.4 cm for males and females, respectively. Fourteen lizards were found with abnormalities including abscesses, bite wounds, and deformed or missing tail ends, digits, or claws. Radiographic examination revealed osteomyelitis, arthritis, and healed fractures. Reference hematology and chemistry values were obtained from the 76 clinically normal lizards. Hemoparasitemia included possible new species of Karyolysus and Hepatozoon. The most common oropharyngeal organisms isolated were Escherichia coli, Providencia spp., and nonhemolytic Staphylococcus; and the most common cloacal organisms were E. coli, Proteus spp., Providencia spp., and nonhemolytic Staphylococcus. Ascarids were the only endoparasites found. This is the first biomedical data published for the spiny-tailed lizard.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections/veterinary , Health Status , Lizards/physiology , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/epidemiology , Wounds and Injuries/veterinary , Animals , Anthropometry , Bacterial Infections/epidemiology , Blood Chemical Analysis/veterinary , Female , Hematologic Tests/veterinary , Lizards/abnormalities , Lizards/blood , Male , United Arab Emirates , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Blood samples were obtained at monthly intervals between April 1994 and March 1996 from captive-bred houbara (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii), rufous-crested (Eupodotis ruficrista gindiana), and white-bellied (Eupodotis senegalensis) bustards from 4-24 wk of age. Hematology investigations were conducted to determine age-related changes and to establish reference values for growing chicks of these species. There were significant age-related changes in hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red cell count in young birds compared with those of adults. White cell counts (lymphocytes and monocytes) were higher in juvenile birds, compared with adult values.
