Multiple intussusceptions in a juvenile rhea (Rhea americana) with proventricular impaction

Multiple intussusceptions of the small intestine were identified in a 4-mo-old rhea (Rhea americana) that died acutely after chronically poor growth. The chick was one of a group of 12 chicks that exhibited musculoskeletal deformities, poor growth, and subsequent death. Gross necropsy findings of this chick revealed proventricular impaction by sticks and stones accompanied by multiple intussusceptions of the small intestine. This finding identifies a disease process that may afflict ratites when raised for production and that may complicate treatment of proventricular impaction.