Incisional colopexy for treatment of chronic, recurrent colocloacal prolapse in a sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

Abstract

Objective: To report a surgical technique for treatment of chronic, recurrent cloacal prolapse in a sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita).

Study design: Clinical report

Animals: Sulphur-crested cockatoo (n = 1) METHODS: The bird was admitted with a 2-year history of periodic lethargy, decreased appetite, dyschezia, tenesmus, and colocloacal prolapse. An incisional colopexy was performed under general anesthesia to permanently reduce the colocloacal prolapse. To gain access to the coelomic cavity, a ventral U-shaped incision was made, after which the colon and cloaca were restored in their normal anatomic position. Subsequently, the distal colon was sutured to the left abdominal wall.

Results: Colocloacal prolapse was successfully reduced. One month later, cloacoplasty was performed to reduce cloacal width. Long-term follow-up, including a barium contrast study, revealed normal function and an intact colopexy, without recurrence of the prolapse.

Conclusions: Incisional colopexy is feasible despite a bird's relative small body size.