Retrospective Study of Fractures in both Appendicular and Axial Skeletons of Birds Belonging to the Families Falconidae and Cariamidae

Abstract

This retrospective study aimed to identify and classify fractures in the appendicular and axial skeletons of birds from the Cariamidae and Falconidae families presented to a referral centre. Twelve of thirteen adult red-legged seriemas (Cariama cristata) had appendicular skeleton fractures and one an axial skeleton fracture. All appendicular skeleton fractures occurred in pelvic limbs, but one bird also had a thoracic limb fracture. Among the long-bone fractures, ten were of the tibiotarsus. Among these fractures, six were comminuted, two transverse and two spiral. One seriema had an ulnar spiral fracture, and two had exposed fractures of the tibiotarsus. The Falconidae included nine Carcara plancus, five Falco sparverius and two Falco femoralis. Appendicular skeleton fractures were detected in 14 Falconidae, axial skeleton fractures in one,and another bird had fractures in both skeletons. Three fractures occurred in pelvic limbs, and the other was thoracic limb fractures. Out of all the long-bone fractures, eight were found in the humerus, three of which were exposed, two comminuted, two spiral, and one oblique. Four ulna fractures were found; two of them were comminuted, one spiral and transverse. There were two comminuted radius fractures. Tibiotarsus fractures included two transversal and one comminuted fracture. In conclusion, in both families the highest prevalence of fractures was in the appendicular skeleton; however, the fractures in Cariamidae occurred mainly in the pelvic limbs, whereas the fractures in Faconidae were found more frequently in the thoracic limbs.