Evaluation of organ visualisation and biopsy quality during left-sided coelioscopy in rescued Northern boobooks (Ninox japonica)

Intra-vital diagnosis inwild raptors can beconfounded bytheir stoic nature, often leading tocryptic morbidity. While coelioscopy offers aminimally invasive alternative, its performance regarding diagnostic utility and biopsy quality remains uncharacterised insmall owls. Eight Northern boobooks (Ninox japonica) underwent diagnostic coelioscopy using a2.7mm rigid endoscope. Ease ofcoelomic entry was scored onapredefined scale, followed byaclockwise systematic survey ofthe anterior, dorsal, and caudal quadrants, during which organ visibility was graded. Lung, liver, and kidney biopsies were acquired; for four euthanised owls, these were compared with necropsy tissues toassess diagnostic concordance. Two-thirds ofthe biopsy specimens were considered identifiable asthe target organ based oncharacteristic histological features. Kidney samples were ofexcellent diagnostic quality, and liver samples were offair quality, with both demonstrating high consistency with post-mortem findings. Incontrast, lung biopsies were frequently compromised bysevere iatrogenic artefacts, such asparenchymal collapse and fragmentation, rendering their histopathological value poor. Coelioscopy affords reliable intra-vital access to liver and kidney tissue in Northern boobooks, supporting clinical evaluation of hepatorenal disease. Given the frequent artefact burden, pulmonary specimens should be interpreted cautiously and supplemented by alternative sampling strategies.