Molecular Hydrogen Therapy in Falcons

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Victor Mateuta

Dubai Falcon Center, United Arab Emirates

: J Vet Sci Med Diagn

Abstract

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Racing falcons has become an international sport and heritage in the Middle East and all over the world. The raptors are being trained three months in advance involving flat sprint, dragged luring, airplanes, and drones chasing. As falcons are kept in dry cold rooms most of the time and brought in the desert for training, the dehydration levels intensify over the season. Strong antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and supplements are all involved in the process and falcons do not naturally drink high quantities of water in order to eliminate the waste. Moreover, being fed with blood-drained pigeons and quail breasts the blood becomes acidified and leads to even higher dehydration levels. The falcons become weaker, performing less and immune depressed. This is the time when bacterial and fungal infections are easily leading to Septicemia. In this study, we have been evaluating different hydration protocols for the entire racing season and before racing. They involved oral fluid therapy, intravenous and subcutaneous. In addition, with oral administration, different herbal products were added and studied the immunity boost response in healthy and immunocompromised falcons. The results were compared and the best protocols of hydration in racing falcons were established.
Recent Publications :
1. Victor D. S. Mateuta, Jaime H. Samour "Prevalence of Caryospora Species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in Falcons in the United Arab Emirates," Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 31(4), 327-334, (1 December 2017)

Biography

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Victor Mateuta achieved his Bachelor Degree in Veterinary Science at the Veterinary University in Timisoara where he pioneered studies about raptors. During his studies, he spent one year in Hungary and three months in Austria where he was trained to be an exotic vet. Upon graduation he continued his education and graduated as a PhD, studying falcons in The United Arab Emirates and published articles in Medical and Falconry Journals. For the past 17 years Victor he has been a falconer, handling and conditioning different species of raptors and exotics in Europe and United Arab Emirates. He started his career in Abu Dhabi in the Wildlife Division of HH Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al Nahyan, where he continued to pursue his passion and interest in raptor medicine and wildlife. The next four years he was the Veterinarian for the well-known Dubai Falcon Center, caring for the wellbeing of the breeding collection and the racing falcons team. The past years he has been supporting the falcons, pigeons and parrot owners communities to ensure health awareness and welfare. Currently, he teamed up with Dr. Vito in Vets & Pets Veterinary Clinic to offer highly specialized services for feathered and haired exotic pets. Fun Facts: He owns falcons and takes part in the falcon races amongst the locals and his falcons qualifying often as top ten. He is a public speaker advocating holistic well-being and biohacking for a sustainable happy long life.