Heterotopic Ossification of the Adductor Muscles in Bald Eagles (<i>Haliaeetus leucocephalus</i>)

Diseases of the musculature can be caused, for example, by alimentary or traumatic issues. In three bald eagles with painful lameness and/or a reduced range of the hip joint, a muscular disease was diagnosed via radiographic examination. The eagles were kept in a falconry and trained as demonstratio...

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Main Authors: Marko Legler, Katja von Dörnberg, Peter Wohlsein, Michael Fehr
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Veterinary Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/11/556
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author Marko Legler
Katja von Dörnberg
Peter Wohlsein
Michael Fehr
author_facet Marko Legler
Katja von Dörnberg
Peter Wohlsein
Michael Fehr
author_sort Marko Legler
collection DOAJ
description Diseases of the musculature can be caused, for example, by alimentary or traumatic issues. In three bald eagles with painful lameness and/or a reduced range of the hip joint, a muscular disease was diagnosed via radiographic examination. The eagles were kept in a falconry and trained as demonstration birds, which were displayed on a gloved hand and flown in falconry education programs. The imaging revealed varying degrees of calcification of the adductors along the course of the puboischiofemoral muscle of the left hind limb in all cases. A histological examination of the affected musculature of one eagle confirmed the presence of a myopathy with muscle fiber atrophy, fibrosis, and metaplastic bone formation. Increased mechanical stress and injuries to the affected muscle groups are discussed as the cause of these alterations. The adductor muscles of the left leg of bald eagles in falconry husbandry appear to be particularly prone to muscular injuries and the development of heterotopic ossification. The healing process of such an injury with the stiffened musculature can lead to restrictions in the movement of the hip joint. Thus, the conscious and professional handling of the eagles is essential for maintaining the health of these birds.
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spelling doaj-art-c6c5f8ffdd01486cb658fa420b2ba62e2025-08-20T02:04:43ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812024-11-01111155610.3390/vetsci11110556Heterotopic Ossification of the Adductor Muscles in Bald Eagles (<i>Haliaeetus leucocephalus</i>)Marko Legler0Katja von Dörnberg1Peter Wohlsein2Michael Fehr3Department of Small Mammal, Reptile and Avian Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hanover, GermanyHanover Adventure Zoo, Adenauerallee 3, 30175 Hanover, GermanyDepartment of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, GermanyDepartment of Small Mammal, Reptile and Avian Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hanover, GermanyDiseases of the musculature can be caused, for example, by alimentary or traumatic issues. In three bald eagles with painful lameness and/or a reduced range of the hip joint, a muscular disease was diagnosed via radiographic examination. The eagles were kept in a falconry and trained as demonstration birds, which were displayed on a gloved hand and flown in falconry education programs. The imaging revealed varying degrees of calcification of the adductors along the course of the puboischiofemoral muscle of the left hind limb in all cases. A histological examination of the affected musculature of one eagle confirmed the presence of a myopathy with muscle fiber atrophy, fibrosis, and metaplastic bone formation. Increased mechanical stress and injuries to the affected muscle groups are discussed as the cause of these alterations. The adductor muscles of the left leg of bald eagles in falconry husbandry appear to be particularly prone to muscular injuries and the development of heterotopic ossification. The healing process of such an injury with the stiffened musculature can lead to restrictions in the movement of the hip joint. Thus, the conscious and professional handling of the eagles is essential for maintaining the health of these birds.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/11/556bird of preymuscular diseasemyositis ossificansraptors
spellingShingle Marko Legler
Katja von Dörnberg
Peter Wohlsein
Michael Fehr
Heterotopic Ossification of the Adductor Muscles in Bald Eagles (<i>Haliaeetus leucocephalus</i>)
Veterinary Sciences
bird of prey
muscular disease
myositis ossificans
raptors
title Heterotopic Ossification of the Adductor Muscles in Bald Eagles (<i>Haliaeetus leucocephalus</i>)
title_full Heterotopic Ossification of the Adductor Muscles in Bald Eagles (<i>Haliaeetus leucocephalus</i>)
title_fullStr Heterotopic Ossification of the Adductor Muscles in Bald Eagles (<i>Haliaeetus leucocephalus</i>)
title_full_unstemmed Heterotopic Ossification of the Adductor Muscles in Bald Eagles (<i>Haliaeetus leucocephalus</i>)
title_short Heterotopic Ossification of the Adductor Muscles in Bald Eagles (<i>Haliaeetus leucocephalus</i>)
title_sort heterotopic ossification of the adductor muscles in bald eagles i haliaeetus leucocephalus i
topic bird of prey
muscular disease
myositis ossificans
raptors
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/11/556
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AT katjavondornberg heterotopicossificationoftheadductormusclesinbaldeaglesihaliaeetusleucocephalusi
AT peterwohlsein heterotopicossificationoftheadductormusclesinbaldeaglesihaliaeetusleucocephalusi
AT michaelfehr heterotopicossificationoftheadductormusclesinbaldeaglesihaliaeetusleucocephalusi