Intestinal entrapment in the right pulmonary ostium after castration in a juvenile ostrich (Struthio camelus)

A juvenile ostrich (Struthio camelus) was castrated in 2 procedures (right and left hemicastrations) at 3 and 4 months of age. The bird had 3 episodes of depression, inappetence, and head-shaking with apparent dysphagia of 1-3 days duration during the 4 months after the first surgical procedure. It was found dead at 7.5 months of age with no clinical signs in the days immediately 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 disrupting the air sac wall integrity between the thoracic and abdominal regions of the coelom during the castration of juvenile ostriches.