SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF AVIAN WING INJURIES FOR REINSTATEMENT OF AERODYNAMICS
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Date
2023-05
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G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263145
Abstract
In the present study, 548 injured birds with wing injuries were included, irrespective of the
species that were rescued by Raksha (Wildlife Rescue Centre), based in Jaipur, Rajasthan. All
rescued birds were placed in pre-heated rooms and stabilized with pre-medication: clindamycin at a
dose rate of 100 mg/Kg intramuscularly, meloxicam at a dose rate of 0.5 mg/Kg intramuscularly and
in cases of fracture, butorphanol at a dosage of 0.1 mg/Kg intramuscularly. All patients received
subcutaneous fluid at a dosage of 20 ml/Kg body weight. All procedures, from feather plucking to
surgical site scrubbing, were performed under general anaesthesia to minimize stress in birds. The
birds were anaesthetized using isoflurane inhalation anaesthesia delivered through a non-rebreathing
circuit. Fractured pectoral limb cases were treated by intra-medullary pinning using K-wire, while
lacerated patagium cases were repaired by suturing the patagial ligament using the Bunnell-Mayer
suture pattern. The injured wings of all cases were then immobilized in the normal flexed position
using ‘Figure-of-eight’ bandaging technique with Vetrap. Each bird received post-operative
medication and care throughout the surgical recovery period. Clinical parameters, such as the
healing of surgical wounds and body weight of birds, were recorded every other day after surgery.
For fractured cases, radiography was performed as needed to assess callus formation. After the
bandage was removed seven days post-surgery, the birds were assessed for their flight ability. The
patagial lacerations took 7-10 days to heal and fracture cases showed radiological union within ten
days. The average time taken for patagial laceration cases to restore flight was 15 days. For radiusulnar
fractures, the time period was 44 days and for humerus fractures the time period was 62 days.
The results of the study indicated that 48 percent (265) of birds were released, 16.4 percent (90)
received lifelong rehabilitation and 35 percent (193) experienced mortality. Based on the observed
parameters, it was concluded that the use of K-wire in the intra-medullary pinning technique is
applicable, approachable and easy to perform, yielding good results in the restoration of flight. In
addition to this, the Bunnell-Mayer suture pattern proved effective in achieving proper alignment
and apposition of the patagial ligament. Also, the application of post-surgery physical therapy has
been beneficial in preserving and rehabilitating limb function, particularly by improving joint
mobility, muscle tone and strength. Hence, use of strategic avian management techniques, which
entail proficient handling procedures, meticulous pre- and post-operative care and tailored housing
solutions that cater to the specific needs of each species and their dietary habits, have been found to
be highly effective in reducing stress levels and promoting recovery of birds.
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Thesis of MVSc.