Antemortem diagnosis and surgical management of a rectum intussusception and cloacal wall prolapse in a hybrid falcon (F. cherrug x F. peregrinus) associated with bacterial enteritis

Abstract

Background: Rectal intussusception associated with cloacal wall prolapse is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. In raptors, cloacal prolapse associated with enteritis has only been described in the genera Buteo, Parabuteo, and Aquila. Four cases of intussusception and cloacal prolapse were reported in kestrel with severe parasitosis. The aim of this report is to describe a case involving rectum intussusception and cloacal wall prolapse in a hybrid falcon (F. cherrug x F. peregrinus) associated with bacterial enteritis. Case description: A 2-year-old hybrid Saker X Peregrine falcon that was housed in a breeding facility was hospitalized for anorexia, severe depression, and intermittent cloacal prolapse. Based on radiographic findings, an intestinal obstruction was detected. Following an endoscopy through the cloaca, a rectal intussusception was suspected. Consequently, via a ventral midline celiotomy, an 8.6 cm section of the intestine was resected; this was followed by an end-to-end intestinal anastomosis. Despite the attempted treatment, the falcon died. Histopathologic and bacteriological examinations were performed and revealed transmural enteritis caused by gram-negative enteropathogenic bacteria. Mucoid strains of Escherichia coli that were multiresistant to various antibiotics were isolated from the fecal pool. Conclusion and case relevance: This case describes an antemortem diagnosis and treatment of rectum intussusception associated with a cloacal wall prolapse in a hybrid female of the genus Falco affected by bacterial enteritis. In the case of severe bacterial enteritis, intestinal intussusception should be excluded as this type of complication could represent a life-threatening condition for the patient.