TY - JOUR
T1 - A retrospective study on the health problems of falcons in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
AU - Al Hemeiri, Maryam Abdullah
AU - Mohteshamuddin, Khaja
AU - de la Torre, Abraham Arias
AU - Degafa, Berhanu Adenew
AU - Ameni, Gobena
N1 - Funding Information:
The owner of the City Vet Clinic (Al Ain) is highly appreciated for giving us access to the clinic data and collaborating with us working on the data. The other staff of the Clinic are acknowledged for the support during data collection. Funding No funding was allocated for the study. All co-authors used their own resources in undertaking this study.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Background: Falcons are important animals in sociocultural events of the society of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Like any other birds, falcons can be affected by different health problems. This study was conducted to investigate the major health problems of falcons presented to the City Vet Clinic in Al Ain during 2019. Methods: Data were extracted from the records of 906 falcons presented to City Vet Clinic in 2019. Data extraction was made on the diagnostic methods used, diagnosed health problems and the type of treatment/ veterinary services given to falcons. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Results: The overall incidence rate of health problems detected in falcons presented to City Vet Clinic in 2019 was 26.5% (95% confidence interval, CI, 23.6-29.5%). The most incident health problems were ingluvitis (inflammation of crop), aspergillosis and bacterial enteritis with incidence rates of 8.1% (95%CI: 6.4–10.0%), 5.8% (95%CI: 4.4-7.6%) and 2.4% (95%CI: 1.5-3.7%), respectively. The relationship between the number of cases of falcon and months was polynomial with a regression (R2) of 42% indicating that only 42% of the variation in the number cases could be explained by monthly variation. The three main medical treatments given for the diagnosed health problems included antibiotics, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic with frequencies of 46.3% (95%CI: 39.8-52.8%), 21.7% (95%CI: 16.6-27.4%) and 12.0% (95%CI: 8.2-16.9%), respectively. Conclusion: The major health problems of falcons were ingluvitis, aspergillosis and bacterial enteritis. Infections that occur in falcons can also be transmitted to owners. Therefore, regular check-up and control of diseases of falcons is recommended.
AB - Background: Falcons are important animals in sociocultural events of the society of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Like any other birds, falcons can be affected by different health problems. This study was conducted to investigate the major health problems of falcons presented to the City Vet Clinic in Al Ain during 2019. Methods: Data were extracted from the records of 906 falcons presented to City Vet Clinic in 2019. Data extraction was made on the diagnostic methods used, diagnosed health problems and the type of treatment/ veterinary services given to falcons. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Results: The overall incidence rate of health problems detected in falcons presented to City Vet Clinic in 2019 was 26.5% (95% confidence interval, CI, 23.6-29.5%). The most incident health problems were ingluvitis (inflammation of crop), aspergillosis and bacterial enteritis with incidence rates of 8.1% (95%CI: 6.4–10.0%), 5.8% (95%CI: 4.4-7.6%) and 2.4% (95%CI: 1.5-3.7%), respectively. The relationship between the number of cases of falcon and months was polynomial with a regression (R2) of 42% indicating that only 42% of the variation in the number cases could be explained by monthly variation. The three main medical treatments given for the diagnosed health problems included antibiotics, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic with frequencies of 46.3% (95%CI: 39.8-52.8%), 21.7% (95%CI: 16.6-27.4%) and 12.0% (95%CI: 8.2-16.9%), respectively. Conclusion: The major health problems of falcons were ingluvitis, aspergillosis and bacterial enteritis. Infections that occur in falcons can also be transmitted to owners. Therefore, regular check-up and control of diseases of falcons is recommended.
KW - Aspergillosis
KW - Bacterial enteritis
KW - Falcon health
KW - Ingluvitis
KW - United Arab Emirates
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85129448922&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85129448922&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.9755/ejfa.2022.v34.i1.2806
DO - 10.9755/ejfa.2022.v34.i1.2806
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85129448922
SN - 2079-052X
VL - 34
SP - 51
EP - 58
JO - Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture
JF - Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture
IS - 1
ER -