Veterinary Services

A presumptive diagnosis of avian pox infection was made in a magpie (Pica pica), woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) and two house sparrows (Passer domesticus) from three locations. The magpie had a large mass encircling the toes and metatarsal-phalangeal joint of one foot and the woodpigeon had multiple nodules on both feet, both hock joints and around both eyes. The two house sparrows also had multiple nodules on the head. In addition, a heavy pure growth of Salmonella Typhimurium DT161 was recovered from the liver of the woodpigeon.

There were several reports of dead seabirds being found on the north-east, west and south-west coasts of Scotland. Birds from two locations were submitted, predominantly immature guillemots (Uria aalge) and also a razorbill (Alca torda). Post mortem changes typical of starvation were found in all the birds. Two guillemots also had a mycotic airsacculitis from which Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated, and heavy growths of Pasteurella multocida and S Typhimurium DT161 were recovered from the liver of one guillemot.

Severe pericarditis, perihepatitis, airsacculitis and granulomatous pneumonia were found in a rook (Corvus frugilegus). Heavy growths of Acinetobacter spp of uncertain significance were isolated from the viscera, but Chlamydophila psittaci was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).