Bird with crop burn treated without surgery using light therapy

Abstract

Feeding and nutrition management in young birds is essential for their optimal development. Crop burn and fistula are some of the most common injuries in artificially fed young birds, resulting from the improper use of overheated liquid diets or porridge. A 2‐month‐old Eupsittula nana bird, wild‐caught, was presented for consultation with the onset of food leakage through the crop area, which had been present for 1 day. A general physical examination revealed normal physiological parameters, with an alert and responsive attitude, a preserved appetite, and normal‐sized bowel movements. A burn fistula was identified in the crop region, with a diameter of approximately 4 mm. Veterinary staff cleaned the fistula with antiseptics prior to photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using the PHOVIA system every 48 h on five occasions. The patient received oral meloxicam (1 mg/kg) for 7 days. As a result of the therapy, observed food leakage through the fistula stopped after the third session (sixth day). By the fifth session, the fistula was closed entirely. Without anesthetic management, the use of PBMT represented an efficient tool for the management of crop burns in juvenile birds. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to validate PBMT effectiveness in crop burning treatment.