Esophageal obstruction due to trichobezoar in a she-camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Occurrences of esophageal foreign bodies are common in camels. Esophageal obstruction in camels due to bezoars is rare.

This report describes esophageal obstruction in camel due to trichobezoar. A 2-year-old she-camel presented with a history of inability to swallow and there was food and water regurgitation for one day before. Radiography and endoscopic examination revealed an oval-shaped foreign body embedded in the esophageal lumen in the level distal third of the neck. The foreign body was successfully removed using cervical esophagotomy under general anesthesia. Successful esophagostomy revealed trichobezoar weighing 45 g and measuring 85 mm × 75 mm × 42 mm. The trichobezoar removed from the esophagus was the cause of esophageal obstruction.

Esophageal obstruction in camel could be due to trichobezoar. Radiography and endoscopy are valuable diagnostic methods to determine the position and nature of an obstructive object.