Ingluviotomy in a cumulet pigeon following crop impaction: Case report

Ingluviotomy (surgical exploration of the crop) is a routine procedure performed in birds due to conditions such as grain impaction, punctured/ruptured crop or blockade of the crop (ingluvies). The cumulet are breeds of white fancy pigeons which are considered as high flyers and were documented to fly over 13 hours. A case of massive hardened swelling in this neck region of a cumulet pigeon was referred from the avian unit of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Maiduguri to the Surgery and Radiology Unit for diagnosis and possible treatment. Following diagnosis, ingluviotomy was performed under local anesthesia lidocaine 4mg/kg using field block. Imbibed masses of peanuts were milked out. A lembert and horizontal mattress suture patterns using a 5/0 polyglyconate and 2/0 nylon sutures were used to appose the crop and skin respectively. Recovery was fast and uncomplicated. Healing was uneventful and skin stitches removed after 14 days.