Vorkommen okularer Befunde bei traumatisierten Greif- und Eulenvögeln

„Occurrence of ocular findings in traumatized birds of prey“ The purpose of this study was to determine the etiology and prognosis of ocular and periocular lesions of free-living birds of prey. Chorioretinal lesions concurrent to toxoplasma antibody titers in owls was of particular interest. The study took place at the Small Animal Clinic of the Freie Universität Berlin. A total of 544 raptors and owls were examined from January 2007 to December 2012. Prospective and retrospective analysis was conducted on all clinical histories. Ophthalmological examination was performed on all patients. Further diagnostics were performed as needed, including ERG (n = 2), ocular ultrasound (n = 2), and histopathology (n = 25). Toxoplasma antibody titers were measured (IFAT) in 33 owls, 22 of which exhibited chorio-retinal scars. The remaining 11 owls were a control group and didn´t have any ocular disorder. Ocular and/or periocular lesions were found in 177/544 (32.5%) of the birds. Half the lesions (48%) were bilateral. Ocular lesions occur often after a trauma (27.4%) in birds of prey and owls. The most common lesions in all groups were vitreous hemorrhage, hyphema, superficial corneal ulceration, cataracts, anterior and posterior uveitis, posterior synechia, and retinal detachment. There were no significant differences between the side of the ocular disease and the side of fracture. According to the chi-square-tests based on Pearson, no statistical correlation was found between the clinical course of the presenting disease and of the ophthalmologic condition. Ocular lesions were present in one third of the birds of prey. Therefore, a complete ophthalmologic examination should be included in the general clinical examination. The toxoplasma antibody titer was negative in all of the animals examined. Chorioretinal lesions observed in owls do not seem to be related to toxoplasma infection.