Treatment Methods for Rectal Prolapse in Ostrich Farming

Recently, two ostrich farms reported that young ostriches had developed rectal prolapse. Such problems rarely occurred in past rearing and transport, and now I will briefly explain the situation I have learned.

It has been learned that both units purchased young birds aged 1.5 to 3 months from the same ostrich farm to raise as commercial birds. One farm purchased 160 birds, and one died upon arrival at the farm (without rectal prolapse). Within the following 10 days, 8 birds successively developed rectal prolapse, accounting for 5% of the total purchased; the other farm purchased 150 young birds, and 2 died during transport to the farm (the journey took half again as long as that of the previous farm) (both had rectal prolapse). Within the following 15 days, 9 birds successively developed rectal prolapse, 11 in total, accounting for 7.3% of the total purchased. Although the number of cases was relatively high and the situation was relatively serious, no deaths occurred after simple surgical reduction.

Cause analysis

To reduce stress responses, before the young birds were shipped, the sending unit had already fed a multivitamin solution as a preventive measure.

The carriage used to transport the young birds had been lined with fine sand more than 10 cm thick, and the carriage was divided into small compartments, each about 1 sq m, with 8 to 10 young birds placed in each. Such packaging did not appear to be too crowded. The carriage was well ventilated, and the thick sand bedding could reduce bumps and vibrations. In addition, the entire journey was on expressways, which was relatively smooth. The October weather was neither cold nor hot, which was favorable for ostrich transport. Therefore, packaging, transport, weather, and preventive work and conditions were all very good, and these would not be the cause of rectal prolapse.

Because the ostriches were fed before shipment, some young birds may have eaten too full, which is an important cause of this condition.

Catching the birds when loading them for shipment, especially selecting them one by one, disturbed the flock quite seriously. Violent catching, together with the effects of long-distance transport, caused strong stress responses in the ostriches. This was the main cause.

Constipation or gastroenteritis can also lead to rectal prolapse. Among a large flock, some young birds may have had constipation or gastroenteritis that was not discovered. Under stressful conditions, these diseases increased straining in the rear abdomen, and strong, sustained straining can cause rectal prolapse.

After long-distance transport, neither farm gave the young birds electrolytes or multivitamins in time after unloading to alleviate stress responses, so rectal prolapse appeared successively within 10 to 15 days after unloading.

Symptoms

Among the large group of young birds, there were no abnormal phenomena in eating, drinking, or activity. The keepers reported that a few birds had relatively firm feces.

Young birds with rectal prolapse often showed anal contraction and straining. The prolapsed rectum was about 2 cm to 3 cm long. Due to friction, it became inflamed, and some had blood stains and mud or sand contamination, with mild edema in individual cases.

Treatment and management

Only after some time, when more cases of rectal prolapse were seen in the young birds, was it reported. They were then instructed to quickly supplement the young flock with electrolytes such as Yingjiping or multivitamins, and mineral trace elements such as Subu 14, after which the flock gradually stopped developing this condition.

Young birds with rectal prolapse were isolated for rearing and management.

Handling of young birds with rectal prolapse: use 0.1% potassium permanganate solution or alum water, normal saline, etc. to clean the prolapsed rectum and the area around the anus, wash away mud, sand, and blood stains, remove adhered foreign matter completely, then apply anti-inflammatory drugs, and then perform reduction.

When performing reduction, the hands must be washed and disinfected, and coated with vaseline, paraffin oil, or peanut oil. When inserting the fingers into the anus to restore the rectum, do so slowly. If there is strong straining, temporarily stop inserting, and only push the fingers in when the straining stops, so that the prolapsed rectum returns to its original position.

To prevent the rectum from prolapsing again, after reduction perform a tobacco-pouch (also called purse-string) suture. That is, using previously disinfected suture needles and thread (generally cotton thread or silk thread), place stitches subcutaneously around the anus at 4 to 6 points, and finally pull tight and tie a knot. Do not pull and tie too tightly or too loosely; the degree should be such that the rectum can no longer prolapse but feces and urine can still be passed.

To prevent inflammation, finally inject penicillin around the anus. After treatment, observe the young bird's condition, such as appetite, drinking, feces, and activity. If all is normal, remove the stitches after 7 to 10 days. After several more days, it can be returned to the original flock.

Prevention recommendations

In this case, because the rectal prolapse in the young birds was discovered and treated promptly, no deaths occurred. Nor did the prolapsed rectum develop edema, ulcers, or necrosis due to delayed treatment, thus avoiding troublesome excision surgery. Therefore, prevention and prompt treatment are extremely important. The following suggestions are now offered.

According to past situations, newly hatched chicks and young birds aged 5 to 6 months did not develop rectal prolapse problems during rearing or transport, whereas the cases this time occurred in young birds aged 1.5 to 3 months. It is possible that birds at this stage are more sensitive, and catching and transport can cause relatively intense stress responses. Therefore, in the future, transport or moving and driving of birds at this stage must be handled with care.

To avoid strong stress responses, generally before shipment ostriches should be given sedatives, anti-stress agents, electrolytes, etc., and within one week after the birds are unloaded, electrolytes and multivitamins and other drugs must still continue to be given.

Ostriches planned for transport should not be fed too full. For long-distance transport, some green feed can be given, and sufficient drinking water should be provided during transport.

Catching birds and loading them onto the vehicle should be done slowly and carefully. Do not use forceful catching, so as to avoid causing a large-scale disturbance in the flock, creating psychological panic among the young birds, and producing severe stress responses.