Abstract

A juvenile ostrich (Struthio camelus) was castrated in two procedures: right and left hemicastrations at 3 and 4 months of age, respectively. The right hemicastration was performed with the bird in left lateral recumbency through a right lateral celiotomy with an incision that extended caudally from the third last rib to a point midway between the inguinal skin fold (between the stifle and body wall) and the vent. In locating the right testicle, the air sac walls between the abdominal and thoracic regions of the coelom were incised. Ligating clips (Hemoclip, Weck Closure Systems, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA) were placed dorsal to the testicle prior to its removal. The left testicle was unable to be visualized. The surgical wound was closed with polyglactin 910 (Vicryl, Ethicon Inc., Johnson and Johnson Medical Pty. Ltd., North Ryde, NSW, Australia) suture in two layers: a simple continuous suture pattern in the abdominal muscle and a Ford interlocking suture pattern in the skin. The left hemicastration was performed with the bird in right lateral recumbency through a left lateral celiotomy with an incision that extended caudally from the inguinal skin fold approximately 12 cm toward the vent. The left testicle removal was performed in a similar manner to the right testicle removal. Wound closure was similar to the right lateral celiotomy closure. The bird had three episodes of depression, inappetence, and head-shaking with apparent dysphagia of 1–3 days’ duration during the 4 months following the first surgical procedure. The bird was found dead at 7 months of age with no clinical signs in the days preceding the death. At necropsy, the intestine was found entrapped in the right pulmonary ostium. Death likely resulted from compression of the air sacs and heart by the dilated bowel. Care should be taken to avoid disruption of the air sac wall integrity between the thoracic and abdominal regions of the coelom during the castration of juvenile ostriches. Bilateral celiotomies may be required to access both testicles. Incisions should be made caudal to the last rib, beginning from the inguinal skin fold (between the stifle and body wall) and extending caudally toward the vent.