Surgical management of crop affections in birds

Abstract

A total of 14 birds presented with crop affections were included in the present study. Clinical examination revealed that two cockatiels had feeding tubes placed in the crop; six country fowls were presented with feed impaction; two country fowls had nylon foreign bodies; one country fowl had a fish bone lodged in the crop; one Japanese quail presented with a safety pin as a foreign body; and a pigeon, a macaw, and a country fowl were presented with crop fistulae. The presence of foreign bodies was confirmed by palpation and radiographic examination. Crop impactions were treated by ingluviotomy. The crop fistulae and ingluviotomy incisions were sutured using 3-0 PGA suture material. A fish bone and a safety pin were retrieved from the crop with the aid of an otoscope. Anaesthesia in all birds was induced with diazepam administered intramuscularly at 1 mg/kg body weight and maintained with 1–2% isoflurane inhalation anaesthesia using customised masks according to the size of the birds. Heating pads were used during anaesthesia to maintain thermoregulation. Postoperatively, antibiotics, multivitamins, and wound dressing were provided, and all birds recovered uneventfully. It was concluded that crop affections in birds caused by various etiologies can be effectively managed through timely surgical intervention when presented and treated at the earliest opportunity.