Improving Diagnostics for Raptors Exposed to Toxic Rodent Poisons

Wild birds, especially raptors, are routinely at risk of ingesting prey containing deadly rodenticides. These toxic substances commonly are used in urban and agricultural areas as well as for eradication of invasive rodents on islands. These poisons, once ingested, inhibit blood clotting in birds causing severe and often fatal bleeding disorders. Currently, limited options exist for coagulation assessment in birds and only extreme cases typically are recognized. Using blood samples from great horned owls and red-tailed hawks, researchers will measure coagulation using a point-of-care unit to establish normal clotting ranges for raptors and compare results with reference laboratory values. Successful validation of this device will help veterinarians with diagnosis and treatment of wild birds exposed to deadly rodenticides.