Rehabilitator’s Guide to Diagnostic Postmortem Examination and Gross Pathology in Waterfowl

Natalie Padgurskis; Julia Whittington; Laura Kohrt

doi:10.53607/wrb.v27.122

Authors

Natalie Padgurskis Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois
Julia K. Whittington, DVM Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois
Laura Kohrt, DVM, MS Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v27.122

Keywords:

Waterfowl, postmortem, necropsy, wildlife rehabilitator, wildlife

Abstract

Disease monitoring of wild populations gives wildlife professionals and policy–makers valuable information about the health of ecosystems, wild animal populations, and humans. The wildlife rehabilitator is in a unique position to participate in disease monitoring by caring for a random sampling of wild animals presented for care. By detecting infectious disease, wildlife rehabilitators not only are able to protect their facility and hospitalized patients from the introduction of an infectious pathogen, but also are able to assist with wildlife population management. For this reason, it is important for wildlife rehabilitators to be familiar with clinical signs indicative of infectious disease. As migratory species, waterfowl may be useful sentinels for infectious disease outbreaks. Definitive diagnosis of an infectious etiology may be unattainable until the demise of the animal, making postmortem examination essential. Wildlife rehabilitators can become familiar with the normal appearance of internal organs and submit fresh and fixed tissues for further testing, which is less expensive than sending entire birds for necropsy. Necropsy techniques and a few common conditions (botulism, avian cholera, avian influenza, and duck plague) are described.

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Author Biographies

Natalie Padgurskis, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois

Natalie Padgurskis is a fourth year veterinary student at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, class of 2010. Her area of interest is zoo and wildlife conservation medicine.

Julia K. Whittington, DVM, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois

Julia Whittington, DVM is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Veterinary Clinical Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She is Service Chief for the Exotic Pet Service at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Director of the Wildlife Medical Clinic.

Laura Kohrt, DVM, MS, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois

Laura Kohrt, DVM is a Clinical Assistant Professor and veterinary pathologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Dr. Kohrt volunteered with the Wildlife Medical Clinic at the University of Illinois for six years and has a continuing interest in the pathology of wild and avian species.

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