Introduction
A cloacal prolapse is a serious problem requiring immediate
veterinary care. Trauma to the internal organs that are prolapsed through the
opening can seriously affect the bird. It is seen in cockatoos and the smaller
breed birds like budgies and cockatiels. It requires immediate replacement of
the prolapsed organs.
Cause
Straining due to parasites, abdominal masses or
tumors, chronic egg
laying, abnormal eggs and poor nutrition
are all predisposing factors. Determining the exact cause can be
difficult.
Symptoms
Birds that have this problem might exhibit
depression, straining, lack of droppings, fluffed appearance, and
poor appetite. Sometimes the only symptom you notice at home is blood
in the droppings. These symptoms occur in other diseases, so the
diagnostic
approach has to be thorough.
Diagnosis
In many prolapsed birds there is a history of
recent egg laying. During the physical exam internal organs
(intestines or reproductive usually) are apparent at the
cloaca. When diagnostic tests are used their
main indication is to find the underlying cause to the problem in
order to prevent recurrence. These tests include fecal
exams for parasites, x-rays
for abdominal masses pushing on the abdominal contents, and blood
panels to determine general health and organ function.
Treatment
Birds with prolapsed cloaca's require emergency care. Many
are hypothermic and require immediate warming. Others can be dehydrated so warm
fluids are also administered. Antibiotics
are usually administered to prevent infection in the affected organs.
Once a bird is stabilized the prolapse is replaced back into
the abdomen. The sooner the better because internal organs that are exposed
to the environment are easily traumatized and infected. Amputation could be
needed on infected tissue or tissue that has inadequate blood supply.
In
some cases we anesthetize
the bird to allow muscle relaxation and subsequent easier
replacement of the affected organs. This patient is in a
special anesthetic chamber allowing us to safely
administer the anesthetic.
This prolapse has been present for
several hours. The coloration tells us it is healthy
enough to allow replacement back into the abdomen. It
will be gently cleansed and flushed with sterile saline.
It is an internal organ and requires delicate
handling.
The area is lubricated copiously with
K-Y jelly and the prolapse is gently manipulated back
into the abdomen using Q-tips. This process takes several
minutes because the organ is swollen and predisposed to
tearing.
After it is replaced special sutures (at the arrows
) are used to prevent it from coming out again. They are put in tight
enough to keep the organs inside but loose enough to allow droppings
to pass. These sutures will be kept in for at least several days to
allow the prolapsed tissue to heal.
Prevention
There are factors involved with this problem that
we have no control over. Factors we can control are good nutrition, a
clean environment, spaying birds that are predisposed to
egg
binding or are excessive egg layers,
minimizing obesity and stimulating exercise.
Careful daily observation of your pets daily
habits will help you recognize the early symptoms of this disease.
No matter what the problem, any time your pet bird shows any
symptoms of a disease, no matter how subtle, it is considered
significant and requires immediate veterinary care. This is
because birds are masters at hiding illness, and we are all too often
presented with sick birds in advanced stages of disease. Our ability
to return these birds to normal health is diminished because proper
care has not been given early on in the disease process where it is
most beneficial.
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