Surgical Management of Cloacal Prolapse in a Laying Turkey Using a Modified Stay Suture Technique: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: In Bangladesh, people raise turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) for their meat, whereas in North America, they are common household pets. These turkeys are characterized by their distinctive physical and functional attributes. The present study aimed to report a case of turkey cloacal prolapse and to evaluate the efficacy of the modified stay suture and the anesthetic approach in a turkey.
Case report: An eight-month-old female domestic white turkey, weighing 2 kilograms, was presented to the Sahidual Alam Quadery Teaching Veterinary Hospital in Chattogram, Bangladesh. The turkey had a history of cloacal prolapse and had laid six eggs previously, but had not laid any for several days. After examining the physical parameters, the vital signs, including temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate, were all within normal ranges. The presence of eggs was confirmed by physical palpation, and an X-ray revealed an egg in the cloaca. Xylazine was administered intramuscularly at a dose of 2 mg/kg of body weight, followed by infiltration of 2 mL of 0.5% lidocaine. The modified stay suture technique was utilized in the present study, and 1 mL of calcium was administered after hematological analysis, diluted in 0.5 liters of water. The turkey was treated on the same day of the surgery with amoxicillin at 20 mg/kg orally mixed with water for seven days and meloxicam at 0.5 mg/kg orally for three days, mixed with water, postoperatively. After the surgery, the turkey resumed laying eggs on day seven without any complications.
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that cloacal prolapse in laying turkeys can be successfully treated with a modified stay suture.