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Therapeutic Bronchoscopy on a Barn Owl
An adult Barn owl (Tyto alba) presented with very minor respiratory disease, and no previous medical history. In fact the respiratory problem was so mild that it was imperceptible in the examination room when the bird was at rest. It was largely due to the concerns of the accompanying falconer who really knew the bird that medical investigation was undertaken immediately. Radiographs were unremarkable and blood work indicated a moderate leukocytosis, predominantly heterophilia and monocytosis. The bird was anesthetized using oxygen and isoflurane by mask, and endoscopic examination of the trachea and syrinx (1.9mm unsheathed telescope) revealed an almost complete blockage of one primary bronchus with caseous exudate (movie 1).
Using a 6 French catheter, and under direct endoscopic control, the caseous debris was aspirated and removed from the primary bronchus. Halfway through the procedure the bird was rotated from dorsal to ventral recumbency to provide a different orientation and improve removal of all infected material. Following, at the end of the procedure, amphoteracin B was injected via the catheter into the distal trachea as aspergillosis was considered the primary differential. The bird was discharged the same day with oral enrofloxacin and itraconazole. Cultures of the removed material revealed Staphylococcus, but Aspergillus was still considered likely and so combination antimicrobial therapy continued for two weeks. Repeat endoscopic examination two weeks later (movie 2) indicated complete resolution, no infection, no scarring.
This case illustrates the diagnostic speed and accuracy of endoscopy, as well as the therapeutic value of endoscopic surgery. |
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