Practical Handbook of Falcon Husbandry and Medicine

Preface

Chapter 1: Introduction pp. 1-11
1.1 Introduction
1.2 History of falconry
1.2.1 Historical sources of falconry
1.2.2 Falconry in the Middle East
1.3 Development of Falcon Medicine
1.3.1 Early Times of Falcon Medicine
1.3.2 Falcon medicines treatises in the Medieval Times
1.3.3 Falcon treatment in the Medieval Times
1.3.4 Falcon medicine in the 20th and 21st century
1.4 Conclusion

Chapter 2: Species Information pp. 13-31
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Raptor anatomy
2.3 Species and Age Differences of Falcons
2.3.1 Lanner falcon (F. biarmicus)
2.3.2 Peregrine falcon (F. peregrinus)
2.3.3 Barbary falcon (F. pelegrinoides)
2.3.4 Saker falcons (F.cherrug)
2.3.5 Gyrfalcon (F.rusticolus)
2.3.6 Hybrid falcons
2.3.7 Differentiation of Falco spp. juveniles from adults
2.4 Other raptors used for falconry
2.4.1 Accipter gentilis
2.4.2 Harris Hawk (Parabuteo unicinatus)
2.4.3 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaëtos)
2.5 Conclusion

Chapter 3: Falcon husbandry pp. 33-49
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Housing and equipments
3.2.1 Housing and falcon facilities
3.2.2 Equipment
3.2.3 Tethering
2.3.4 Transport
3.3 Nutrition
3.3.1 Well-balanced diet for falcons
3.3.2 Preparation of fresh food
3.3.3 Preparation of frozen food
3.3.4 Nutritional values and vitamin content of different food
3.3.5 Water
3.3.6 Casting
3.3.7 Rangles
3.4 Hygiene and Disinfection
3.4.1 Falcon facilities screening
3.4.2 Short guidelines for conducting of facility screenings
3.5 Conclusion

Chapter 4: Molting pp. 51-67
4.1 Introduction
4.2 General information about molting in falcons
4.3 Pre-molting examinations
4.4 Husbandry during molting
4.4.1 Housing
4.4.2 Feeding
4.4.3 Vitamin supplements
4.4.4 Light management
4.4.5 Control of the molting process
4.5 Successful release of groups in molting aviaries
4.6 Post-molting examination
4.7 Molting disorders
4.8 Conclusion

Chapter 5: First Aid pp. 69-88
5.1 Introduction
5.2 General Information about Emergencies in Falcons
5.2.1 Priorities in First Aid Management
5.2.2 First Aid Kit
5.3 Emergency situation requiring First Aid Treatment
5.3.1 Shock
5.3.2 Management of wounds and injuries
5.3.2.1 Wounds
5.3.2.2 Injuries
5.3.2.3 Fractures
5.3.2.4 Miscellaneous emergencies
5.4 Conclusion

Chapter 6: Clinical examination, sampling and medical procedures pp. 89-121
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Clinical History
6.3 Restraint
6.3.1 Manual Restraint
6.3.2 Chemical restraint
6.4 Routine examinations and sample taking
6.4.1 General examination
6.5 Advanced examination
6.5.1 Radiography
6.5.2 Endoscopy
6.6 Pre-purchase examination
6.7 Application of medicines
6.8 Conclusion

Chapter 7: Laboratory examinations pp. 123-139
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Parasitological examinations
7.3 Laboratory blood examination
7.3.1 Hematology
7.3.2 Biochemistry
7.3.3 Blood gas
7.4 Cytology
7.5 Microbiology
7.6 Conclusion

Chapter 8: Imping and coping pp. 141-155
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Preparation for feather repair
8.2.1 Equipment
8.2.2 Feathers
8.2.3 Preparation of the falcon
8.3 Splinting
8.4 Imping
8.4.1 Mid-shaft or distal feather repair
8.4.2 Proximal feather repair
8.4.3 Broken blood feathers
8.5 Coping
8.6 Beak repair
8.7 Conclusion

Chapter 9: Feather and skin problems pp. 157-190
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Feather problems
9.2.1 Bacterial infections of feathers
9.2.2 Fungal infections of feathers
9.2.3 Feather lice
9.2.4 Vitamin deficiencies
9.3 Skin problems and diseases
9.3.1 Fungal skin infections
9.3.2 Bacterial skin infections
9.3.3 Wing eczemas
9.3.4 Cutaneous tuberculosis
9.4 Pododermatitits
9.4.1 Bumblefoot research in the 20th century
9.4.2 Etiology
9.4.2.1 Exogenous factors
9.4.2.2 Endogenous factors
9.4.2.3 Infectious factors
9.4.2.4 Climatic factors
9.4.3 Diagnosis of different foot conditions
9.4.3.1 Pressure sores
9.4.3.2 Hyperkeratosis
9.4.3.3 Reddening of the foot sole
9.4.3.4 Scab
9.4.3.5 Pododermatitis
9.4.3.6 Bumblefoot due to metabolic problems
9.4.4 Therapy
9.4.4.1 Conservative treatment
9.4.4.2 Surgical treatment
9.4.4.3 Prevention of foot problems
9.5 Conclusion

Chapter 10: Parasitic diseases pp. 191-122
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Ectoparasites
10.2.1 Mallophaga
10.2.2 Diptera
10.3 Endoparasites
10.3.1. Protozoa
10.3.1.2 Trichomoniasis
10.3.1.2 Giardia
10.3.1.3 Coccidia
10. Helminths
10.4.1 Trematoda (flukes)
10.4.2 Cestoda (tapeworms)
10.4.3 Nematoda (roundworms)
10.4.3.1 Ascaridia
10.4.3.2 Capillaria
10.4.3.3 Serratospiculum
10.4.3.4 Syngamus trachea
10.5 Blood Parasites
10.5.1 Plasmodium
10.5.2 Haemoproteus
10.5.3 Leukozytozoon
10.5.4 Babesia
10.6 Emerging Diseases
10.6.1 Microsporidiosis caused by Enterocytozoon bieneusi
10.6.2 Cryptosporidia
10.6.3 Mosquito-borne parasitoses
10.7 Conclusion

Chapter 11: Fungal diseases pp. 223-242
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Aspergillosis
11.2.1 Etiology, distribution and transmission
11.2.2 Identification
11.2.3 Symptoms and clinical manifestation
11.2.4 New Aspergillosis Classification
11.2.4.1 New Aspergillosis
11.2.4.2 Active Aspergillosis
11.2.4.3 Old Aspergillosis
11.2.4.4 Syringeal Aspergillosis
11.2.4.5 Cutaneous Aspergillosis
11.2.5 Therapy
11.2.5.1 Treatment of New Aspergillosis
11.2.5.2 Treatment of Active Aspergillosis
11.2.5.3 Treatment of Syringeal Aspergillosis
11.2.5.4 Cutaneous Aspergillosis
11.2.5.5 Preventive Aspergillosis treatment
11.3 Candidiasis
11.4 Conclusion

Chapter 12: Bacterial Infections pp. 243-261
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Escherichia Coli
12.3 Clostridium spp
12.3.1 Clostridium perfringens
12.3.2 Clostridium botulinum infections
12.4 Pseudomonas aeruginosa
12.5 Chlamydophilosis
12.6 Avian Tuberculosis (Mycobacteriosis)
12.7 Salmonellosis
12.8 Klebsiella pneumoniae Infections
12.9 Mycoplasma
12.10 Staphylococcus
12.11 Conclusion

Chapter 13: Viral Diseases pp. 263-284
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Avian Influenza Virus
13.2.1 Etiology, distribution and transmission
13.2.1.1 Ways of spreading the Avian Influenza Virus
13.2.1.2 Relation of wild bird migration and AI outbreaks in domestic poultry
13.2.1.3 Special factors for Avian Influenza spreading in Europe, Caucasus and Middle East
13.2.1.4 Preventive measures and surveillance of Avian Influenza
13.2.1.5 Avian Influenza cases in falcons and raptors
13.3 Newcastle Disease virus
13.4 Avian Pox Virus
13.5 Herpes Virus
13.6 Avian Reovirus
13.7 Adenovirus
13.8 Other viral diseases in falcons and raptors
13.9 Conclusion

Chapter 14: Orthopedic problems and surgery pp. 285-307
14.1 Introduction
14.2 First Examination
14.3 Perioperative fracture management
14.4 Surgical Intervention
14.4.1 Anesthesia
14.4.2 Surgery preparation
14.4.3 Open fracture repair
14.4.4 Closed fracture repair
14.4.5 External fixation
14.4.6 Radiography
14.4.7 Bandaging
14.5 Postoperative fracture management
14.5.1 Immediate post surgical management
14.5.2 Post-surgical management
14.5.3 Housing and husbandry
14.5.4 Postoperative feeding
14.6 Non Surgical and Surgical Fracture Management
14.6.1 Fractures of the thoracic girdle
14.6.2 Fractures of the humerus
14.6.3 Fractures of radius and ulna
14.6.4 Fractures of the carpometacarpus
14.6.5 Fractures of the femur
14.6.6 Fractures of the tibiotarsus
14.6.7 Fracture of the tarsometatarsus
14.6.8 Fractures of the phalanges
14.7 Other orthopedic problems
14.7.1 Osteomyelitis
14.7.2 Luxation/subluxation
14.7.3 Amputation of digits
14.8 Conclusion

Chapter 15: Soft tissue problems and surgeries pp. 309-332
15.1 Introduction
15. 2 Preparation for surgery
15.2.1 Anesthesia and perioperative preparation of the patient
15.2.2. Skin preparation and disinfection
15.3 Postoperative wound management
15.3.1 Bandaging
15.3.2 Medication
15.3.3 Feeding
15.4 Specific surgery methods
15.4.1 Lesions in the choana
15.4.2 Infraorbital surgery of Trichomonas/Pseudomonas aeruginosa lesions
15.4.3 Crop surgeries
15.4.4 Keel surgery
15.4.5 Injuries of the propatagium
15.4.6 Soft tissue injuries of falcons being attacked by other falcons
15.4.7 Injuries of the head
15.4.8 Injuries of the leg
15.4.9 Abscesses
15.4.10 Injuries through ingrown rings
15.4.11 Injuries through jesses
15.5 Conclusion

Chapter 16: Intensive care pp. 333-346
16.1 Introduction
16.2 ABC for critically sick falcons
16.3 Examination of critically sick falcons
16.4 Fluid administration scheme
16.5 Medication
16.6 Shock
16.7 Housing of critically sick falcons
16.8 Feeding of critically sick falcons
16.8.1 Conditions requiring tube feeding
16.8.2 Tube feeding
16.8.3 Feeding Scheme
16.8.3.1 Liquid food
16.8.3.2 Solid food
16.9 Conclusion

Chapter 17: Miscellaneous pp. 347-371
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Sour crop
17.3 Intoxications
17.3.1 Lead intoxication
17.3.2 Ammonium chloride intoxication (Shenadra)
17.4 Kidney diseases
17.5 Liver diseases
17. 6 Pancreas
17.7 Eye problems
17.8 Miscellaneous diseases
17.8.1 Central nervous system
17.8.2 Bilateral traumatic paresis of the feet
17.8.3 Hereditary conditions
17.9 Conclusion

Appendix

Formulary pp. 373-380

Index

Dr. Med. Vet. Margit Gabriele Muller
MBA MRCVS D Vet Hom PCC CMLC CMHC CLPC M.NLP
Executive Director
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital

Dr. Margit Gabriele Muller is the Executive Director of Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (ADFH) that she joined in 2001. It is the largest falcon hospital in the world and leading institution for falcon medicine. Leading a professional team of more than 140 employees, she oversees the ADFH international internship program, ADFH Pet Care Center, the Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter and the ADFH tourism program.

Dr. Muller has become one of the most well-known and renowned falcon veterinary specialists in the world with more than 25 years’ experience. Having studied in Germany and France, she obtained her Dr. med. vet. degree in veterinary medicine from the LMU University of Munich, Germany in 1999 and her Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK in 2007.

Dr. Muller is Board Certified in veterinary dentistry from Germany and holds a Diploma in Veterinary Homeopathy from UK. Moreover, she is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, UK, Association of Avian Veterinarians, USA, and was appointed as Strathclyde Business Fellow (International) by the Graduate Business School of the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK in 2013. Dr. Muller serves as a Member of the Editorial Board of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Furthermore, Dr. Muller has discovered 2 new diseases in falcons and is an award-winning author of four books and more than 50 international scientific publications and presentations.

Dr. Muller is a Certified Mental Health Coach, Certified Master Life Coach, Master NLP Practitioner, Certified Life Purpose Coach, Mindfulness Practitioner and Equine-Assisted Learning Facilitator. She is credentialed as Professional Certified Coach by the International Coach Federation ICF. Passionate about mental health coaching, Dr. Muller has developed a specialized mental health coaching program for veterinarians as she has embarked on her new mission to improve the mental health conditions of veterinarians internationally. Moreover, she shares her experience as motivational speaker internationally.

Dr. Muller has received multiple international awards, among them Abu Dhabi Award from the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the title of “Honorary Falconer” by King Juan Carlos I. of Spain.