Ventriculostomy for removal of foreign bodies from sarus cranes

Of 7 captive sarus cranes (Grus antigone) that ingested foreign metallic objects, 3 became ill, and 1 of the 3 died. Clinical signs included difficulty in standing, sitting on hocks, and diarrhea. A surgical approach was developed, using pigeons as models, to open the gizzard for removal of the foreign bodies. The surgery was performed successfully 3 times on 2 of the cranes that had signs of illness.