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Gastrointestinal Obstructions
Other Names: GI Impaction, Gastric Impaction, Intestinal Stasis, Grass Impaction, Intestinal Obstruction
Gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction is a blockage that keeps food or liquid from passing through the chicken's system. These obstructions can be extra-luminal or intra-luminal. Extra-luminal obstructions include tumors and hernias, which can interfere with the passage of feces in birds. Intra-liminal causes can be from ingestion of foreign bodies (such as string, baling twine, bedding litter, styrofoam, plastics, artificial grass, etc.), the formation of bezoars, buildup of roundworms, and sloughed koilin.
GI obstructions can occur anywhere along the chicken's digestive tract. The chicken’s digestive tract has a number of key anatomical differences to mammals, which are partly due to the fact that birds do not have teeth for the breakdown of food by chewing, but instead have mechanical breakdown within the digestive system. The chicken's digestive tract consists of the esophagus, crop, proventriculus (also called the glandular stomach), ventriculus (also called the gizzard), small intestine, ceca, large intestine, and cloaca.
Case 1: Ingestion of polyacrylamide gel in a Birds at a zoo Two birds from a zoological collection suffered fatal intestinal obstruction after each ingested single particles of polyacrylamide gel. Polyacrylamide gel, used in soils for gardening and agriculture, exists as small granules in the dehydrated state but expands markedly upon exposure to water. Ref
Case 2: Chronic Partial Proventricular Obstruction Caused by Multiple Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies in a Cockatoo A juvenile umbrella cockatoo was examined because of an 8-month history of mild weight loss and recurrent bouts of abdominal tenesmus and enteritis. Key findings on physical examination included a palpable ventriculus that was caudoventrally displaced. Contrast radiographs confirmed partial proventricular obstruction, with the presence of linear foreign objects in the proventriculus. The cockatoo was treated by proventriculostomy, and 15 pieces of chewed and splintered wooden perch material were successfully removed. Rigid endoscopy, used intraoperatively, helped substantially in ensuring all foreign material was removed from this bird. Ref
Case 3: Ball of artificial grass fibers in a Falcon A large ventricular foreign body was identified on radiographs in a captive-bred falcon that was presented for paresis and swollen abdomen. On endoscopic examination, a large shiny mass was visible in the ventriculus. An ingluviotomy was done, and pieces of the mass, which consisted of a ball of artificial grass fibers, were removed by using a rigid endoscope and grasping forceps. Subsequently, 4 more ingluviotomies were required to gain endoscopic access to the ventriculus and to allow staged removal of the mass in a piecemeal fashion. Feeding the falcon a feathered quail and allowing it to cast naturally removed the remaining fibers of the mass. Ref
Case 4: Obstruction by fibrous foreign object ingestion in a Conure An 8-year-old and a 2-year-old green-cheeked conure, and a 4-year-old jenday conure presented independently for examination with variable, nonspecific signs; feather destructive behavior, regurgitation, lethargy, falling from the perch and excessive drinking. Diagnostic radiographs identified dilation of the proventriculus in all individuals. A foreign object in the proventriculus was diagnosed on gastroscopy in one bird and on necropsy in the other two birds. Surgical removal of the foreign material was attempted in one patient but was not successful. All three patients died secondary to obstruction with synthetic fibers from a plush, commonly available, tent-like hut sold as a sleeping area for birds. Ref
Case 5: Ingestion of numerous foreign objects in a Ostrichs Clinical examination of the birds revealed anorexia, emaciation, decreased defecation, listlessness, separation from the flock, and recumbency. The total number of leukocytes (10.4 × 103 mm3), the concentrations of serum glucose (166 mg/dl), and total protein (2.4 g/dl) decreased; serum creatine phosphokinase (1240 U/L) and alkaline phosphatase (598 U/L) increased; whereas no changes were found in the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and copper. Medical treatment was initiated in 13 animals; six of them recovered and seven birds died. Necropsy revealed edema, erosions, and hemorrhagic ulcers in the stomach of the dead birds. Foreign bodies such as sand; stone; pieces of wood, glass, and plastic; and metallic objects were encountered in the stomach at the necropsy. In one bird, metallic foreign body was diagnosed and the bird was referred to surgery. Ref
Case 6: Ileocecorectal Intussusception Requiring Intestinal Resection and Anastomosis in a Eagle A 23-year-old male tawny eagle was examined because of sudden onset of lethargy, regurgitation, and hematochezia. An intestinal obstruction was suspected based on radiographic findings, and an ileo-ceco-rectal intussusception was confirmed by coelioscopy. A 14.3-cm section of intestine was resected before an intestinal anastomosis was done. Coelomic endoscopic examination confirmed a postsurgical complication of adhesions between the intestinal anastomosis and the dorsal coelomic wall, resulting in a partial luminal stricture and requiring surgical removal of the adhesions. Rectoscopy was useful in diagnosing a mild luminal stricture related to the second surgery. Complete recovery was observed 2 months after surgery. Lack of further complications in the 2 years after surgery demonstrates good tolerance of intestinal resection and anastomosis of a large segment of bowel in an eagle. Ref
Case 7: Intestinal obstruction due to Roundworms in a Broiler chickens Commercial broiler chickens raised on helminthic medication-free feed were diagnosed with a severe disease caused by Ascaridia galli, characterized by intestinal hemorrhage and obstruction. A. galli was identified based on the morphological features of the nematode. Broilers were raised for a longer period (63 days) for weight recovery, grouped as stunted (n=500), had low body score and had fetid diarrhea. Broilers were described with chronic fluid fetid diarrhea and showed low body score for the age, with prominent carina (sternum), as a result of reduced pectoral mass. Enlarged intestines with gas accumulations were seen at necropsy, where Ascaridia galli concentrated, mostly at the cranial part of the jejunum, causing obstruction and mucosal congestion. The duodenum-jejunum segment was the most severely affected with obstruction and had localized accumulation of gas. The intestinal mucosa was severely congested with petechial and suffusive hemorrhages. The outbreak resulted in morbidity of about 10% and mortality of up to 4% and was associated to the absence of preventive medication and slack biosecurity. Ref
Case 8: Ventricular phytobezoar impaction in a Kingfisher Three juvenile male Micronesian kingfishers housed in the same enclosure presented with rapid weight gain and coelomic distension. Physical examination and radiography revealed marked enlargement of the ventriculus and a single, large foreign body within the ventriculus in each individual. Surgical removal by ventriculotomy was attempted in one individual, which died during the procedure. A second individual was treated with natural peanut butter 0.5 ml PO BID for 14 days and recovered, casting the foreign material. The third bird was similarly treated without success and subsequently died during attempts at endoscopic removal of the foreign body. In all three birds, the foreign bodies proved to be phytobezoars. The birds had been observed stripping leaf fragments from live corn plants (Dracaena fragrans) used in the enclosure. Plant fibers from the phytobezoars were compared with D. fragrans leaves and were considered identical. Medical treatment of phytobezoars with peanut butter or similar oil-containing substances in birds should be considered as an alternative to surgical extraction Ref
Case 9: Obstruction due to fish bone ingestion in a Rooster An Aseel rooster was referred to the surgery department with a history of swelling in the neck and had no interest in food, but was drinking normally. Radiological examination revealed a large fish bone in his esophagus. Because of the sharp edges of the foreign body esophagotomy was performed rather than per os (po) retrieval or milking of the foreign body into the crop and performing an ingluviotomy. An esophagotomy was performed under local infiltration using a diluted solution of lignocaine. Fish bone pieces were retrieved from the esophagus of the fowl. The esophagotomy incision was closed in two layers using polyglactin 910 no: 3-0. Postoperatively, the owner was advised to administer Enrofloxacin po at 10 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day for seven days and Tramadol (10 mg/kg BW, BID) for three days in water. This case was followed up for 8 months. Ref
Case 10: Ingestion of string in a Peahen A female juvenile peahen presented with acute respiratory distress after the owner observed the bird apparently “choking” the night before presentation. A swelling at the base of the throat was also noted by the owner approximately 2 days prior to the “choking” incident. An air sac breathing tube was placed immediately following presentation and the respiratory rate and effort returned to normal. While performing a physical examination on the patient, a string foreign body was identified and removed from the oral cavity. The string had been wrapped around the base of the tongue, initially resulting in a laceration at the base of the tongue and displacing the glottis caudally, but eventually retroflexed the tongue resulting in occlusion of the glottis. Once the string was transected, the tongue was replaced into normal anatomic position. Three days after presentation, the bird was able to breathe normally with the air sac tube occluded, thus the air sac tube was removed. The lesions under the tongue completely resolved 8 weeks following the initial presentation. Ref
Case 11: Ingestion of lead drapery weights in a Macaw A juvenile domestic green-winged macaw was admitted to the veterinary clinic within an hour of ingestion of lead drapery weights. Radiopaque objects were evident in the crop and ventriculus. The bird was anesthetized, and the crop was lavaged to remove lead fragments. Because lead fragments remained in the ventriculus after lavage, chelation treatment was instituted. Serial radiography was done on days 2, 5, 9, and 14 to determine passage of the lead. By day 14, lead fragments were not visible radiographically. The macaw did not have ill effects from the lead ingestion or from medical treatments. Because this bird had been observed ingesting the lead weights, treatment was for foreign body ingestion initially and for lead ingestion secondarily. Ref
Case 12: Ingestion of polyacrylamide gel in a Birds Two birds from a zoological collection suffered fatal intestinal obstruction after each ingested single particles of polyacrylamide gel. Polyacrylamide gel, used in soils for gardening and agriculture, exists as small granules in the dehydrated state but expands markedly upon exposure to water. Polyacrylamide gel might, therefore, be an unrecognized hazard for captive and wild birds and other small animals if consumed. Ref
Case 13: Ingestion of a needle in a Myna A one-year-old common myna was referred to a veterinary hospital for ingestion of a needle attached to a cotton, hanging out from their beak. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs showed a metal foreign body with its distal end seemingly in the ventriculus and its proximal end extending to the right pectoral region pointing to the right shoulder joint. The object had to be removed through surgery, as pulling it out from the bird's mouth would have caused significant injury. The needle was successfully removed using a ventriculotomy. Ref
Case 14: Ingestion of steel blades in a Broiler chicken A broiler chicken had ingested two pieces of stainless steel blades of 1.25 x 1.75 cm in size, which were found mixed with undigested feed ingredients in his gizzard. Ref
Case 15: Obstruction from foreign object in the proventriculus in a Conure An 8-year-old and a 2-year-old green-cheeked conure, and a 4-year-old jenday conure presented independently for examination with variable, nonspecific signs; feather destructive behavior, regurgitation, lethargy, falling from the perch and excessive drinking. Diagnostic radiographs identified dilation of the proventriculus in all individuals. A foreign object in the proventriculus was diagnosed on gastroscopy in one bird and on necropsy in the other two birds. Surgical removal of the foreign material was attempted in one patient but was not successful. All three patients died secondary to obstruction with synthetic fibers from a plush, commonly available, tent-like hut sold as a sleeping area for birds. Ref
Isolate the bird from the flock and place in a safe, comfortable, warm location (your own chicken "intensive care unit") with easy access to water and food. Limit stress. Call your veterinarian.
Huang, A.S Mortalities in CA’s Backyard Poultry Caused by Gastrointestinal Impactions. . Proceedings of the 68th Western Poultry Disease Conference (2019)
Kaboudi, K., S. Umar, and H. Bouchrit. Outbreak of litter impaction of the gastrointestinal tract in commercial turkey poults: case report.. J Avian Res 1.2 (2015)
