Proventricular–Ventricular Impaction in two ostrich chicks (Struthio camelus)

Impaction of the proventriculus and ventriculus due to ingestion of stones, wood, ceramic tiles, metal spoons and plastic materials was confirmed at postmortem examination in two ostrich chicks (Struthio camelus) aged 8-months and 4-months from two flocks in Gwagwalada and Lugbe in Abuja, Nigeria respectively. Both cases were presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of University of Abuja (U.A.) in November, 2014 (first case) and in May 2016 (second case) with pale mucous membranes, sternal recumbency, outstretched neck, ruffled feathers, dehydration and emaciation. Abdominal palpation in both cases revealed firm and gritty sensations. Antibiotic (oxytetracycline) long acting, Vitamin B-complex and 5% Dextrose saline therapy was instituted in both cases. However, both ostriches later died and were autopsied. The post-mortem revealed impaction of the proventriculus and ventriculus with foreign bodies (such as stones and sand, spoons, wood fragments and ceramic tiles). In addition, there was thickened mucosa of the proventriculus with ulcers, hydropericardium, petechiae on mucosal and serosal surfaces of cervical part of the trachea in the first case; while the second case had petechiae in the mucosa of the duodenum. Proventricular-ventricular foreign body impaction was diagnosed as the cause of death in both ostrich chicks.