DIY Impaction Surgery

[Eggcessive]

I would only let a vet do crop surgery. Some have attempted it, but I would not. There are a number of videos available on YouTube to watch, some done by vets. Be sure to research it, and realize that there are 2 layers to close—the crop itself and then skin. Some use sutures while others use a good SuperGlue to close the layers. Most crop problems I have seen were due to other problems affecting digestion.

 

[2theDogz]

I use a syringe (without the needle, of course) and squirt about 10 ml of warm water into the crop. The trick is to go slow, 1ml at at a time. Don't squirt it down the throat, because he'll aspirate. Under the tongue and let him swallow it. Once you get the hang of it, it should only take a few minutes. With a healthy, active bird, it's MUCH easier with two people.

Wait a minute, then massage the crop for 5-10 minutes. If you can feel the impaction, try to massage it in between your fingers. Not hard, but firm. The warm water will help soften, and work to break up the clump. I do it twice a day until it's gone.

I usually only withhold food for the first day. After that, I let him eat normally. That way, you can tell, in the morning, if he's digesting properly. The impaction won't keep him from digesting new food. That will only happen if there's a blockage. If he's only eating crumbles, and you're doing massages, the new food shouldn't build up on the current impaction.

That, almost, always works for me, within a week. If not, I would definitely revisit surgery. I know some people will use a docusate sodium stool softener. I've never done it, but you could look that up as well.

Very Helpful, thanks!!
I'm changing him over to free water access immediately. No problem syringing, as I've been doing it with mineral oil. Do I still do the oil in addition to the water, or stop that for the time being? Based on other articles I read, I picked up magnesium citrate. Would it be beneficial to use in conjunction with the water, or hold off? I hate the idea of giving this little guy the runs if not necessary.
He'll be so happy to eat more than the little bit I've given the last two days.
This morning his crop was way down, nothing but the obstructive material left in there. Pretty tight golfball size. The pocket of grit seems to have passed through. . After some water with yogurt it became a little more malleable, but still feels like a ball of string.
Thank you for all this helpful information, I was so worried that I needed to do something sooner rather than later. At least now I'm comfortable to keep working with it without fear I'll lose him.

 

[2theDogz]

I would only let a vet do crop surgery. Some have attempted it, but I would not. There are a number of videos available on YouTube to watch, some done by vets. Be sure to research it, and realize that there are 2 layers to close—the crop itself and then skin. Some use sutures while others use a good SuperGlue to close the layers. Most crop problems I have seen were due to other problems affecting digestion.

Thank you. Definitely want to exhaust all other options first. I have some experience observing and assisting in some veterinary surgeries (rural vet friend in another state), albeit on bigger animals. So I'm comfortable going forward if absolutely necessary. Studying videos and reading articles in the meantime. Hopefully they won't be needed.

 

[micstrachan]

Will they work on straw? I have both on hand but haven't started them yet because I read about it being indigestible. Not opposed to trying if waiting that long to clear it won't increase the risk of sour crop or other complications. What protocol should I follow with them? Thank you for your advice, greatly appreciated!

When I did a molasses flush, I put 1 tsp of molasses into 1/4 cup of water. I tubed 20mL of that twice (didn’t want to risk aspiration with all of it). In your case, since you already know how to do it safely, you could syringe. Just take care to make sure he’s properly hydrated. And as usual, be sure not to aspirate him.

 

[Ryguy3684]

Very Helpful, thanks!!
I'm changing him over to free water access immediately.

good call.

No problem syringing, as I've been doing it with mineral oil. Do I still do the oil in addition to the water, or stop that for the time being? .

I use coconut oil, but either way, I only do it for the first day. After that, I just use water.

Based on other articles I read oh, I picked up magnesium citrate. Would it be beneficial to use in conjunction with the water, or hold off? I hate the idea of giving this little guy the runs if not necessary.

I've never used it, but the fewer things you have to pump into him, the better.

He'll be so happy to eat more than the little bit I've given the last two days.
This morning his crop was way down, nothing but the obstructive material left in there. Pretty tight golfball size. The pocket of grit seems to have passed through. . After some water with yogurt it became a little more malleable, but still feels like a ball of string.
Thank you for all this helpful information, I was so worried that I needed to do something sooner rather than later. At least now I'm comfortable to keep working with it without fear I'll lose him.

No problem. Hopefully, you'll see some progress soon. One more thing. I would pay attention to his crop tonight, then first thing in the morning, to make sure his daily food is emptying well. Don't be surprised if it's nice and full tonight.

 

[Ryguy3684]

Just take care to make sure he’s properly hydrated. And as usual, be sure not to aspirate him.

Those two points are very important.

 

[azygous]

You do need to keep trying to break up the impaction before trying surgery. Be aggressive with the oil and massage. Once, I had a young hen with such a severe impaction, I worked on it all day, and that's all I did.

Have you tried a stool softener yet? Do you believe it's long stemed grass in his crop?

If you can feel the stems and that's mainly what the clog is, surgery is more than likely to be the only way to get that stuff out. I can give you a step by step instruction and also a video to watch.

 

[Sally PB]

Following. I learn so much on BYC from threads like this.

OP, thank you for posting. Everyone else, thank you for helping.

 

[2theDogz]

You do need to keep trying to break up the impaction before trying surgery. Be aggressive with the oil and massage. Once, I had a young hen with such a severe impaction, I worked on it all day, and that's all I did.

Have you tried a stool softener yet? Do you believe it's long stemed grass in his crop?

If you can feel the stems and that's mainly what the clog is, surgery is more than likely to be the only way to get that stuff out. I can give you a step by step instruction and also a video to watch.

Azygous thank you! It does feel like long tough grass...almost like twine. This is why I went ahead & bought surgical supplies.
So, I've been doing the mineral oil for 2 days. I massage it really well every 2 hrs or so. It loosens but still feels like a little circular wreath in there.
I have magnesium citrate on hand, but haven't tried it yet based on mixed opinions. If you think I should please advise on protocol.
If it's advisable I'd like to postpone surgical intervention a few days so that I can monitor constantly 2-3 days post-op. But if needed I'm ready to go to bat for this sweet little guy as early as this evening.
Please do share the video you mentioned. And instructions if you have them handy. I want to memorize everything before proceeding. Thanks so much for your help.

 

[azygous]

I think you mean magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts). This solution is more for deep, pervasive yeast infections, but you can always give it a try. What it does mainly is to introduce volumes of water into the system in hope of flushing the material through and out of the digestive tract. Sort of like I had to do recently with a toilet clog by pouring buckets full of water into the bowl to take advantage of both gravity and the force of volumes of water to push the clog through.

Since your patient has a crop full of solids, you'll need to be aware of how full the crop may get and not push more fluids into it than it can hold.

The solution is one teaspoon of salts dissolved into half a cup of warm water. The solution is tubed into the crop since expecting the patient to drink it all is unrealistic as is trying to syringe it into the crop which would also take forever and stress the patient.

The solution can be given twice a day for up to three days. I'd try it after oil and massage has emptied the crop as much as possible. You want to attempt to break up the mass into smaller clumps with your fingers. This will enable the solution to be more effective at flushing the material through the tract. I'd combine each session of tubing the solution with massage before and after, visualizing trying to dismantle the long stemmed material into smaller bits that can be floated downstream.