Surgical corrections of periventricular impaction in ostrich

One of the main causes of death among ostriches is early stomach impaction, the most common causes of which noise stresses, lack of food finding, orientation disorder. An adult ostrich can tolerate periventricular impaction without symptoms for many days or weeks. A 2.5 month old ostrich with clinical signs of anorexia, dehydration, depression, palsy symptom was referred to veterinary clinic. Physical examination and clinical signs led us to the diagnosis of stomach impaction. General anesthesia was induced and maintained by xylazine-ketamine. The ostrich was positioned in dorsal recumbency. Abdominal area was prepared aseptically. After tracheal intubation, ventilation by oxygen capsule was performed and continued all through the surgery. Midline incision was made as routine. proventriculus was exposed and incised. Woody materials were removed. Proventriculus was irrigated by normal saline. The proventriculus and midline incisions were then closed in routine manners. Then serum therapy by Ringer serum and ventilation was performed in brachial vein. In this disease initial treatment is done with laxatives. Surgery is often effective treatment in acute impaction. Noise stress control and isolation of feed location from outdoor can be effective prevention methods in fields.