Perforating foreign body in the ventriculus of a pet pigeon (Columba livia domestica)

Osseous Migration of a Perforating Gastrointestinal Foreign Body in an Indian Runner Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)

An Indian runner duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) was presented for a second opinion after a linear, metallic foreign body was identified on radiographic images. The primary veterinarian performed diagnostic imaging while investigating the presenting complaint of the duck's left pelvic limb lameness. The images obtained from a computed tomography scan performed during the second-opinion visit revealed a linear, metallic foreign body with an associated migration tract originating from the ventriculus and terminating in the proximal left femur. Significant osteomyelitis was noted at the proximal left femur associated with the presence of the linear, metallic object. The foreign body and the adhesions associated with its migration were removed in 2, staged, surgical procedures. Although penetrating ventricular foreign bodies have been previously reported, migration through the cortex of a long bone is an unusual presentation. This case demonstrates that perforating, migrating, gastrointestinal foreign bodies can result in lameness refractory to analgesia and ancillary supportive care.

Removal of foreign bodies from the proventriculus in a young golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

This paper presents a clinical case report of a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) with foreign bodies (stones) in its proventriculus. The case deals with the identification, management and removal of foreign objects identified in the gastrointestinal tract. A surgical removal by proventriculotomy under general anaesthesia was attempted. The surgery and the recovery were uneventful, and the follow-up after six months revealed no complications. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other reports of successful foreign body removal by proventriculotomy in the golden eagle.

Mortality rate of birds following intravenous administration of iodinated contrast medium for computed tomography

OBJECTIVE

To identify potential risk factors for death following IV or intraosseous (IO) administration of contrast medium in birds undergoing CT scans.

ANIMALS

120 birds that underwent 134 contrast-enhanced CT scans.

PROCEDURES

Medical records of birds of any species that underwent a CT scan which included administration of nonionic iodinated contrast medium from June 2013 to February 2020 were included. Information on birds and use of contrast medium was extracted from the medical records as well as information on deaths following IV or IO administration of contrast medium.

RESULTS

6 birds died shortly following administration of contrast medium. Necropsies were performed in 3 birds (2 cockatiels and 1 macaw), and all had lesions associated with the respiratory tract. When body weight was used as a binary variable to compare odds of death between small birds (≤ 150 g [0.33 lb]) and large birds (> 150 g), small birds had a 97-fold increased odds (OR, 97.5; 95% CI, 9.8 to 966.0) of dying following contrast medium administration. Following 131 CT scans with contrast medium administration (3 scans were excluded because of perivascular or subcutaneous leakage of contract medium), small birds had a mortality rate of 45.4% (5/11), compared with a mortality rate of 0.8% (1/120) for large (> 150 g) birds. Other variables (ie, sex, age, anesthesia or sedation, sedation protocol, and type of contrast medium) were not significantly associated with death after contrast medium administration.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Although the administration of contrast medium cannot be conclusively confirmed as the cause of death in these birds, the high mortality rate for small birds coupled with the temporality of the event following contrast medium administration justifies the cautious use of contrast medium in small sick psittacine birds.