Surgical treatment of egg retention in emus

We developed a surgical technique for management of retained eggs in emus. Clinical signs associated with egg retention include cessation of laying activity or failure to lay eggs, lethargy, anorexia, straining, and passing egg material, and diagnosis can be made by external palpation, abdominal radiography, and ultrasonography. The retained eggs were removed through a paramedian abdominal incision in all birds. One bird was euthanatized at surgery because of severe peritonitis resulting from uterine rupture at the site of obstruction by the retained egg. Three birds survived and were discharged from the hospital to the owners. Egg peritonitis resulting from eggs or egg remnants in the abdominal cavity was evident in the birds that survived surgery. Surgery and administration of antimicrobials were successful in resolving the peritonitis.