Radiographs/Respiratory
Lung tumor
An older educational raptor presents with a history of low-grade chronic respiratory disease that is progressively getting worse. Radiographs show a large mass in the cranial thoracic cavity. What could this be?
• Answer:
This bird had a primary lung tumor, which took several months to fully develop.
Acute aspergillosis
A falcon presents with marked respiratory distress. The owner feels this started one week ago. What do the radiographs show?
• Answer:
This bird is suffering from acute aspergillosis, which spreads rapidly throughout the respiratory tract. This is usually the result of an overwhelming inhalation of aspergillus sp. spores. This carries a grave prognosis.
Granulomas
A raptor suffering from sub acute aspergillosis may take 3 weeks before clinical signs are noted. What would you expect to see on radiographs?
• Answer:
Granuloma formation. A granuloma is a mass of granulation tissue typically produced in response to infection (fungal or bacterial)
Air Sacculitis
A falcon presents with slight exercise intolerance and harsh lung sounds. On radiographs a marked air sacculitis (inflammation) of the air sacs are seen. What parasite might cause this?
• Answer:
Serratospiculum sp. is the lung or air sac worm that can cause this type of radiographic change in the air sacs.
Chronic Pulmonary Disease
A raptor that has sustained repeated lung infections or inflammation could develop what type of lung disorder?
• Answer:
Chronic pulmonary disease is a situation that may cause the lung to become scarred or fibrotic. The changes on a radiograph may show areas of consolidation or opacities of the lung tissue. Lung biopsy will confirm this disorder.
