David L McRuer

Publications of David L McRuer

• Hematologic parameters in raptor species in a rehabilitation setting before release.

  Authors: Peter A Black, David L McRuer, Leigh-Ann Horne

  Journal of avian medicine and surgery. 09/2011; 25(3):192-8.

  To be considered for release, raptors undergoing rehabilitation must have recovered from their initial injury in addition to being clinically healthy. For that purpose, a good understanding ofTo be considered for release, raptors undergoing rehabilitation must have recovered from their initial injury in addition to being clinically healthy. For that purpose, a good understanding of reference hematologic values is important in determining release criteria for raptors in a rehabilitation setting. In this study, retrospective data were tabulated from clinically normal birds within 10 days of release from a rehabilitation facility. Hematologic values were compiled from 71 red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), 54 Eastern screech owls (Megascops asio), 31 Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperii), 30 great-horned owls (Bubo virginianus), 28 barred owls (Strix varia), 16 bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and 12 broad-winged hawks (Buteo platypterus). Parameters collected included a white blood cell count and differential, hematocrit, and total protein concentration. Comparisons were made among species and among previously published reports of reference hematologic values in free-ranging birds or permanently captive birds. This is the first published report of reference values for Eastern screech owls, barred owls, and broad-winged hawks; and the first prerelease reference values for all species undergoing rehabilitation. These data can be used as a reference when developing release criteria for rehabilitated raptors.

• Association of Mycoplasma corogypsi and Polyarthritis in a Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) in Virginia.

  Authors: Mark G Ruder, Sanford H Feldman, Arno Wünschmann, David L McRuer

  Journal of wildlife diseases. 08/2009; 45(3):808-16.

  On 10 October 2007, a Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) was presented to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, Waynesboro, Virginia, USA, because of an inability to fly. Examination revealed multipleOn 10 October 2007, a Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) was presented to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, Waynesboro, Virginia, USA, because of an inability to fly. Examination revealed multiple swollen, fluctuant joints. The bird suffered from lead toxicosis and had a prominent leukocytosis. Histopathologic evaluation revealed an acute fibrinoheterophilic polyarthritis, and results of routine aerobic and anaerobic culture of joint fluid were negative, although Mycoplasma sp. sequence-specific polymerase chain reaction was positive. Amplification of a portion of the 16S rRNA and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of the amplicon identified Mycoplasma corogypsi. This is the first report of polyarthritis being diagnosed in association with a Mycoplasma sp. in a vulture species. However, fulfilling Koch's postulates through experimental infections is required to draw conclusions concerning an etiologic diagnosis.

• Behavioral and Nutritional Aspects of the Virginian Opossum (Didelphis virginiana).

  Authors: David L McRuer, Kenneth D Jones

  The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice. 06/2009; 12(2):217-36.

  Virginia opossums are widely distributed throughout the United States, except in the most arid regions, and wild individuals are commonly brought to practitioners for medical attention. Opossums'Virginia opossums are widely distributed throughout the United States, except in the most arid regions, and wild individuals are commonly brought to practitioners for medical attention. Opossums' popularity as pets seems to be growing, and it is likely that pet opossums will be more common in veterinary practice. Clinicians must be aware of natural opossum behaviors so that thorough physical examination and diagnostic procedures can be performed on injured patients. For animals kept captive long-term or as pets, veterinarians must understand proper nutrition and nutritional disorders, such as secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism, obesity, and dental disease, to properly treat this species.

• What is your diagnosis? Pulmonary mycobacteriosis.

  Authors: Mark G Ruder, Andrea Ortiz Bernal, David L McRuer, John Spahr

  Journal of avian medicine and surgery. 01/2009; 22(4):359-63.