Exogenous creatinine clearence indexed to body surface area allows estimation of GFR and across species comparison.

The assessment of renal function in birds is difficult because sensitive biomarkers are lacking. Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of measuring the exogenous creatinine clearance in pigeons, indicating the potential use of this technique for the assessment of renal function in birds. The aim of the study was to index the exogenous creatinine elimination rate by body surface area, enabling comparison between different species.

Laboratory Evaluation of Renal Function in Birds.

Renal disease often remains undetected in living patients. Urinalysis might contribute to the diagnosis of some kinds of renal and metabolic diseases. Blood uric acid concentrations reflect the excretory functional capacity of the renal proximal tubules.

Correction: The cultivable autochthonous microbiota of the critically endangered Northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

The cultivable autochthonous microbiota of the critically endangered Northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita).

The critically endangered Northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita) is a migratory bird that became extinct in Europe centuries ago. Since 2014, the Northern bald ibis is subject to an intensive rehabilitation and conservation regime aiming to reintroduce the bird in its original distribution range in Central Europe and concurrently to maintain bird health and increase population size. Hitherto, virtually nothing is known about the microbial communities associated with the ibis species; an information pivotal for the veterinary management of these birds.

THE EFFECTS OF MIGRATORY FLIGHT ON HEMATOLOGIC PARAMETERS IN NORTHERN BALD IBISES ( GERONTICUS EREMITA).

Under the project of "Human-Led Migration," the authors had the unique opportunity to accompany hand-raised northern bald Iibises (NBIs; Geronticus eremita) during migration, which occurred in stages from Bavaria, Germany, to southern Tuscany, Italy. The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of flight, with respect to flight duration, and the more delayed recovery effects on hematologic variables. A total of 31 birds were sampled.

EXPLORATORY PLASMA BIOCHEMISTRY REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR URAL OWLS (STRIX URALENSIS, PALLAS 1771) FROM THE AUSTRIAN REINTRODUCTION PROJECT.

The Ural owl (Strix uralensis) is the biggest forest-living owl in Austria; however, it became extinct in Austria through poaching and habitat loss more than half a century ago. The birds examined in the present study were breeding pairs from the reintroduction project with the aim of determining exploratory plasma biochemistry reference intervals in Ural owls and evaluating the amount of biological variation between seasons, sexes, and ages. A total of 45 birds were sampled, including 13 adult males, 14 adult females, and 18 juvenile birds.

Energy Expenditure and Metabolic Changes of Free-Flying Migrating Northern Bald Ibis.

Many migrating birds undertake extraordinary long flights. How birds are able to perform such endurance flights of over 100-hour durations is still poorly understood. We examined energy expenditure and physiological changes in Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremite during natural flights using birds trained to follow an ultra-light aircraft.

Plasma exogenous creatinine excretion for the assessment of renal function in avian medicine--pharmacokinetic modeling in racing pigeons (Columba livia).

The diagnostic evaluation of the glomerular filtration rate by urinary clearance has significant practical limitations in birds because urine is excreted together with feces. Thus, pharmacokinetic modeling of an exogenous plasma creatinine clearance could be useful for assessing renal creatinine excretion in birds. For this study, creatinine (50 mg/kg) was administered to 2 groups of 15 pigeons (Columba livia) each; in one group by the intravenous (IV) route and in the second by the intramuscular (IM) route.

Characterization and quantification of the influence of season and gender on plasma chemistries of Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni, Gmelin 1789).

The present study is the first to monitor plasma chemistries of a group of 30 Hermann's tortoises (HTs) over two summer seasons to characterize and quantify seasonal and gender-related influences. The following analytes were analyzed: ALT, ALP, AST, BA, CA, CHO, CK, LDH, GLU, GLDH, P, TP, TRIG, urea and uric acid. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, mean values, confidence intervals were calculated.

Computed tomography of coxofemoral injury in five mute swans (Cygnus olor).

Five mute swans (Cygnus olor) were presented with inability to stand or with abnormal positioning of a leg. Clinical examinations indicated the possibility of femoral fractures or coxofemoral luxations. The suspected diagnosis was proven by means of computed tomography (CT), while superimposition of gastrointestinal contents or other artefacts limited radiographic diagnosis in three birds.

Pharmacokinetics, tissue concentrations, and safety of the antifungal agent voriconazole in chickens.

Voriconazole, a highly potent triazole antifungal agent with high in vitro activity against a wide variety of fungal pathogens, appears to be an option for the treatment of aspergillosis in birds. To gain initial information on pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and tissue distribution of voriconazole in birds, we evaluated voriconazole in chickens in a 4-part study that analyzed dose linearity, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and tissue distribution. Chickens received voriconazole orally and/or intravenously.

Comparitive sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction diagnosis of psittacine beak and feather disease on feather samples, cloacal swabs and blood from budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulates, Shaw 18005).

A longitudinal study was performed in order to investigate virus excretion and viraemia during a clinical outbreak of the psittacine beak and feather disease in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Viral nucleic acid was detected in feathers, cloacal swabs and blood samples. Overall, beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) DNA was detected most commonly in feather samples, followed by cloacal swabs, and least frequently from blood samples.

The influence of stress from transport and handling on hematologic and clinical chemistry blood parameters of racing pigeons (Columba livia domestica).

In the present study, the influence of stress from handling and transport on some frequently examined blood parameters of racing pigeons was evaluated. After 3 hr, there was a highly significant (P < 0.01) increase in the number as well as in the percentage of heterophils and decrease of lymphocytes.