Intravenous Catheter Placement

Abstract

An Amazon from another collection died acutely and was brought in for necropsy. The proventriculus was markedly thickened, the proximal bowel showed gross evidence of bleeding and the ventriculus was full of crushed walnut shell bedding. The owner determined that the bird had access to the wanut shells for less than two hours approximately one month before it died. Another Amazon in the flock with access to the same walnut shell bedding had previously been presented to the clinic for and eating and on and off depression. Although the owner had declined radiographs at the time, the bird responded to treatment with Milk of Magnesia and piperacillin. Avian veterinarians need to be aware that ingestion of some bedding materials such as crushed corn cobs and walnut shells (in addition to kitty litter and excess grit) can result in gastrointestinal obstruction. I am not aware of problems with the use of Crown bedding paper pellets, which seem to be digestible if ingested.