Treatment of bilateral corneal ulceration in a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) using 360 degree conjunctival flaps

Abstract

A wild Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) was presented with extensive bilateral fluorescein positive corneal damage. Local therapy and bilateral tarsorrhaphies resulted in slow improvement over 5 weeks. When bilateral 360 degree conjunctival flaps were used subsequently, healing proceeded more rapidly over the next 8 weeks. Although bulbar conjunctival flaps have been reported as difficult in birds due to their small size and relatively immobile bulbar conjunctiva, 360 degree conjunctival flaps made from palpebral rather than bulbar conjunctiva were found to be technically feasible in a larger bird species such as the Peregrine Falcon.

Application of a modified nictitating membrane flap in a fledgling feral pigeon (Columba livia domestica) with bullous keratopathy

“…9 NMF is usually avoided in birds because of the voluntary movement of the nictitating membrane with strong striated muscles, structural thinness, and importance of nictitating membranes in birds. 14,15 In addition, there is only a marginal plait at the leading edge of the nictitating membrane with no vertical arm of T-cartilage, which is a surgical point for NMF in small animals. [16][17][18] Considering the insufficient tamponade effect of tarsorrhaphy, refractoriness to medical treatment, and unsuitable body condition for long surgery in this case, NMF was the best option for the patient, with modifications required based on the anatomic features of the avian nictitating membrane.…”

“…The expected effect of NMF for BK is tamponade, which prevents further expansion of the cornea with fluid 9 . NMF is usually avoided in birds because of the voluntary movement of the nictitating membrane with strong striated muscles, structural thinness, and importance of nictitating membranes in birds 14,15 . In addition, there is only a marginal plait at the leading edge of the nictitating membrane with no vertical arm of T‐cartilage, which is a surgical point for NMF in small animals 16–18 .…”

Management of a unilateral non‐healing corneal ulcer and uveitis in a laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

“…In dogs, a success rate of 80 per cent of cases has been reported. Keratectomy and tarsorrhapy, two techniques considered useful in the management of non-healing corneal ulcers in other species, have been described in birds presented with ocular pathologies different from non-healing ulcers, and thus may be considered as alternative therapeutic options in those cases refractory to corneal debridement (Park and Gill 2005, Gionfriddo and Powell 2006). In dogs, diamond burr keratectomy allows faster healing and lower complication rates than grid keratotomy, whereas surgical keratectomy achieve a 100 per cent success rate but require more surgical skills and technical equipment than other techniques (Ledbetter and Gilger 2013).…”