A case of rickets in an artificially raised white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) chick at a zoo

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science
• Main Authors: KIM, Hee-Jong, KIM, Kyoo-Tae
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 2023
• Subjects: Wildlife Science; Haliaeetus albicilla; White-tailed eagle
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10209469/; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36927695; https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.22-0516

A two-week-old white-tailed eagle presented with an inability to stand and flex its limbs. Despite hatching naturally and owing to lack of parental attention, the bird was raised indoors by zookeepers with no access to sunlight. Palpation and radiographic examination of the bilateral tibiotarsus and femur bone revealed pronounced deformation and curvature, and bilateral decreased bone densities, respectively. The reduced calcium concentration in the blood was treated with calcium gluconate injections and calcium-supplemented feeds. Chopped mouse tails were fed directly, and whole pink-skinned nude mice were fed weekly. The zookeeper also gently massaged the bird and dressed it with a bandage. Sunlight exposure was provided daily. Saliva containing chicken feed was obtained from the mother. The bird could stand properly after four weeks of treatment, and the blood calcium concentration was restored to normal levels.