title: Cardiomyopathy in a Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus).
abstract: CASE DESCRIPTION An adult sexually intact female Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) housed at a wildlife hospital was evaluated because of acute collapse during an educational exhibition. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination and hematologic analysis revealed no abnormalities; radiography revealed findings consistent with a previous tibiotarsal fracture. Coelioscopy with histologic examination and fungal culture of lung and air sac samples revealed anthracosis but no fungal infection. The hawk was discharged and temporarily removed from the education program; 1 month later, upon reintroduction into the program, it collapsed again. Physical examination and hematologic findings were similar to those after the first episode. Transcoelomic and transesophageal echocardiography and CT angiocardiography findings were consistent with cardiomyopathy. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Initial cardiac treatment included furosemide (0.5 mg/kg [0.23 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) and pimobendan (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h). After 10 days of treatment, peak and trough plasma concentrations of pimobendan were measured at 25, 196 and 715.97 ng/mL, respectively; the dosage was decreased to 0.25 mg/kg (0.11 mg/lb), PO, every 12 hours. No overt signs of toxicosis were detected. A sample was collected to reevaluate plasma pimobendan concentration after 30 days of treatment; results were not obtained prior to the patient's death but revealed a peak concentration of 16.8 ng/mL, with an undetectable trough concentration. The hawk was found dead 6 months after initial evaluation. Necropsy revealed cardiomegaly, but histologic examination did not reveal an inciting cause of cardiac dysfunction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Cardiac disease in raptors may be underreported. Transcoelomic and transesophageal echocardiography and CT angiography provided useful information for the diagnosis of cardiac disease in the hawk of this report.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brandão
authors.forename: Caryn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Hugues
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Beaufrère
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Serio
authors.forename: Robert V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.forename: Lorrie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gaschen
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Del Piero
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Javier G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Nevarez
authors.forename: Thomas N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Tully
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D046093:Falconiformes; D005260:Female; D005665:Furosemide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D011724:Pyridazines; C041648:pimobendan; D005665:Furosemide