No abstract

A 2-yr-old male intact alpaca (Vicugna pacos) was admitted for a 4-day history of anorexia and colic. Five months prior, the alpaca had undergone surgical removal of a duodenal trichophytobezoar and had recovered uneventfully. The alpaca died under anesthesia, and diaphragmatic herniation of the third gastric compartment (C3) was diagnosed at necropsy. A defect was identified in the left dorsal hemidiaphragm accompanied by herniation of 80% of C3 and the aboral portion of the second gastric compartment into the pericardial sac. The smooth margins and dorsal location of the diaphragmatic defect suggested a congenital origin. Diaphragmatic herniation is uncommon in camelids, and only one other case has been reported. Due to the dorsal location of the diaphragmatic defect in this animal, positioning during the previous surgery may have initiated a partial entrapment of gastric compartments, leading to a more complete incarceration between when the animal was discharged and presented again.

Surgical enucleation using a transaural approach was successfully performed following traumatic globe injury in an Eastern screech–owl (Megascops asio). Initial stabilization of this patient consisted of intraosseous administration of crystalloids and hypertonic saline, anti–inflammatory drugs, and broad–spectrum antibiotics. At surgery, general anesthesia was achieved using butorphanol as a premedicant and isofluorane in oxygen as an induction and maintenance anesthetic agent. Postoperative care included meloxicam for 7 days, trimethoprim/sulfadiazine for 14 days, and topical wound management. The surgical site healed in an uncomplicated manner. The bird was successfully flight tested and eventually released back into its natural habitat. Considerations for release and permanent captive placement in raptors with unilateral vision impediments are discussed.