Outcomes and Complications Associated With Caudal Thoracic and Abdominal Air Sac Cannulation in 68 Birds.

Air sac cannulation is used both as an emergency procedure in avian patients with severe upper respiratory compromise, as well as a means of routine ventilation for surgery of the head and neck. The objective of this retrospective study was to describe and quantify the complications associated with air sac cannulation in birds. Medical records were retrieved for all patients that underwent caudal thoracic or abdominal air sac cannulation at a single center between August 2004 and October 2020. Patient signalment, indication for air sac cannulation, location of air sac cannula (ASC) placement, occurrence and category of complications encountered, and survival data were recorded. Eighty-four ASCs were placed in 68 birds across 6 orders; 95.2% (80/84) of cases survived general anesthesia for initial ASC placement. The side and position of ASC placement were known in 33.3% (28/84) and 21.4% (18/84) of cases, respectively. Survival to ASC removal was known in 91.3% (73/80) of cases; 43 (58.9%) of these 73 cases survived to ASC removal. Complications were observed in 32.5% (26/80) of cases, and 11.5% (3/26) of cases died as a direct result of the complication. The most common reported ASC complication was loss of patency in 23.8% (19/80) of cases. Increased likelihoods for complications were seen in cases where exercise intolerance (P = 0.04) or abnormal respiratory sounds (P = 0.04) were reported at presentation. Increased likelihoods for survival to ASC removal were seen with intercostal placements (P = 0.049) and peri-interventional antibiotic therapy (P = 0.005). Decreased likelihood for survival to ASC removal was seen in cases where voice change was reported at presentation (P = 0.02). This study demonstrates a moderate risk of ASC complication, with a guarded overall prognosis for survival to ASC removal.

Percloacal Ovocentesis in the Treatment of Avian Egg Binding: Review of 20 Cases.

Egg binding is one of the most commonly diagnosed reproductive disorders in avian medicine. Often, egg binding is caused by multiple factors, including inappropriate diet and husbandry, reproductive tract pathology, and/or systemic disease. Treatment of egg binding can include medical management or egg removal either percloacal or through surgical means. Percloacal ovocentesis is a commonly described technique in avian practice. The aim of this study was to consider the signalment, success of facilitating egg removal, associated complications, and outcome when percloacal ovocentesis was performed. Data were obtained from an avian first-opinion and referral center in the United Kingdom over a 10-year period. Of the 20 cases that met the inclusion criteria, the following orders were represented (Psittaciformes (n = 15; 75%), Anseriformes (n = 1; 5%), Accipitriformes (n = 2; 10%), and Strigiformes (n = 2; 10%) were represented. Patient age ranged from 2 to 26 years, with an average age of 9.4 years. Percloacal ovocentesis successfully facilitated egg removal in 16 of 20 cases (80%) with no complications observed in 14 of 20 cases (70%). Percloacal ovocentesis is not without potential complications; eggs fragmented in 2 of 20 (10%) cases, with coelomic penetration and coelomitis suspected in a single case (5%). Careful risk assessment and case selection should be performed before the use of this technique. In cases that are refractory to medical management, and in which surgical intervention is high risk or not a feasible option, percloacal ovocentesis can facilitate successful resolution of egg binding in an avian patient and should be considered as a viable treatment option.