Osseous pathological changes in the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in its central european habitat

Abstract

The aim of our research was to examine bone health in white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) that died in the years 2010-2016. The research was conducted on 37 complete skeletons of eagles that came from the territories of Poland and Germany. CT and digital radiography were used in the research, and anatomical and histological analyses were carried out. We described macroscopic bone lesions in 14 birds. The most frequently found forms of pathological changes were osteophytes, which formed mainly in pelvic limbs. They were found less frequently in certain wing bones, as well as the clavicle and the sternum. In four cases, proliferative bone lesions were accompanied by osteoarthritis. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) was diagnosed in six birds, including one in the early stages of the disease. The lesions were found in most cases in the knee joint area and affected mainly the proximal epiphysis of the tibiotarsal bone. In one bird, a macroscopic presentation typical of osteomyelitis was observed on the tarsometatarsal bone, which might have been associated with its fracture and lysis. There was also one case of lesions typical of osteosarcoma. The analysis of individual bones of each skeleton revealed that bones from pelvic limbs more often underwent pathological changes, especially the tibiotarsus and associated joints. However, it is difficult to accept this observation as a rule without research on larger material. One cannot exclude the possibility that some types of changes in bones, such as osteosarcoma and OCD, may result from poisoning with heavy metals, particularly cadmium.