Parasites-Hemoparasites

A Great Horned Owl fledgling presents to the rehabilitation center with anterior uveitis of the eyes. What must be ruled out as a disease process?

• Answer:
Leucocytozoon
Always rule out the blood parasite Leucocytozoon, which can secondarily result in anterior uveitis due to the immune response to the parasite and inflammation. This is a treatable condition.

A gyrfalcon or gyrfalcon hybrid is recommended to have a prevention program of Mefloquin (Larium) for what blood parasite?

•Answer:
Plasmodium (avian malaria)
Plasmodium sp. is responsible for avian malaria, which can be fatal in the gryfalcon and gryfalcon hybrid. Falcons in an endemic area for avian malaria should be on a prevention program.

This  parasite is found in the avian red blood cell, does not distort the red blood cell nucleus, usually of low pathogenicity and must be distinguished from plasmodium. What is it?

•Answer:
Hemoproteus : Midges and the hippoboscid fly transmit Hemoproteus. Although the pathogenicity is considered low, clinical disease may be seen in immature raptors. Plasmodium distorts the erythrocyte and pushes the nucleus to one end. The presence of schizonts is diagnostic for Plasmodium

A tick borne disease that can infect raptors (prairie falcons, saker falcons, Eurasian kestrels, lesser kestrel, barn owls and bearded vultures), causing anemia, lethargy and possible death is know as what?

• Answer:
Babesia: a red blood cell parasite, is transmitted by the tick of the genus Ornithodorus.  This hemoparasite may cause severe anemia in the bird. Clinical signs produced and the severity of the disease will vary between infected birds. Treatment may be effective with Imidocarb (Imizole).

What type of nematode, transmitted by blood feeding flies, that can be found in the peripheral blood and has the ability to migrate to various tissues is known as?

•Answer:
filarial nematode:
Filarial worms are parasitic nematodes. They can be seen in the peripheral blood.  Although they are often considered non-pathogenic, these worms do have the ability to migrate to chambers of the eyes, heart, air sacs, coelomic cavity, and under the skin and cause severe problems.