Impaction of the proventriculus, gizzard, and sometimes intestines due to sand was confirmed at postmortem in 25 cases involving ostriches (Struthio camelus). Although there was no age predisposition, impaction was more common in juvenile over 3 mo old. Clinical signs included sternal recumbency, outstretched neck, debility, and inability to stand. Palpation of the impacted stomachs gave a gritty sensation. Depletion of coronary fat was a consistent postmortem finding. The most common material causing impaction was sand. This report highlights impaction as one of the major causes of debility and death in intensively farmed ostriches. High levels of alkaline phosphatase coupled with low levels of plasma glucose, protein, and albumin detected in impacted ostriches may be useful diagnostic antemortem indicators of the syndrome.

Red blood cell count (ϫ10 12 /liter) Hemoglobin (g/dl) Packed cell volume (%) Mean corpuscular volume (fl) Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (pg) Mean hemoglobin concentration (g/dl) Total leukocyte count (ϫ10 9 /liter) Heterophil (H) (%) Lymphocyte (L) (%) H/L ratio Eosinophils (%) Monocytes (%) Basophils (%) Thrombocyte count (ϫ10 9 /liter) 2.1 Ϯ 0.2 16.68 Ϯ 0.93 43.25 Ϯ 1.9 205.95 Ϯ 15.0 79.42 Ϯ 12 38.56 Ϯ 2.0 5.0 Ϯ 1.8 60 Ϯ 2.1 32 Ϯ 2.0 1:2 1 Ϯ 0.2 1 Ϯ 0.5 6 Ϯ 1.4 0.2 1.8 Ϯ 0.2 10.9 Ϯ 1.2* 36 Ϯ 1.2* 200 Ϯ 18.0 60.56 Ϯ 5.0* 30.28 Ϯ 1.5* 3.8 Ϯ 1.7 62 Ϯ 1.2 29 Ϯ 1.6 . . . 1 Ϯ 0.2 1 Ϯ 0.6 7 Ϯ 1.4 0.2 * Values within rows are significantly different (P Ͻ 0.05).The ostrich (Struthio camelus) industry in Botswana is still young, and as such, there is scant information on hematology of the ostrich. Veterinary clinical hematology is a useful tool for the diagnosis of disease in both domestic mammals and birds. 1,22 Hematologic values of the Masai ostrich (Struthio camelus massaicus) were reported as early as 1875. 2 The physical properties of ostrich blood cells have been extensively described. 2,12,13,18,20 Although clinical hematology is a useful diagnostic tool in avian medicine, 21,22 interpretation is dependent on established baseline levels for the species. Furthermore, these parameters may be influenced by climatic conditions prevalent in the particular geographic location and by different management systems. The purpose of this study was to establish baseline hematology values for juvenile and adult farmed ostrich in Botswana.One hundred ostriches, 50 juveniles (1-10 months of age) and 50 adults (11-18 months of age), were maintained in fenced pens. The ostriches were separated according to age. The diet consisted mainly of commercial ostrich pellets. Chopped fresh lucerne plus vitamin and mineral supplements were often added to the diet. Grit in the form of ground stones was added to the feed. Water was available ad libitum. The birds were apparently healthy, with no signs of disease.For blood collection, black hoods made of transluscent muslin cloth were placed over the heads of adult ostriches to avoid stress. The younger birds were gently restrained on a table without the hood. Blood was obtained by venipuncture from the brachial (wing) vein after cleansing the area with an antiseptic. a A sterile cotton swab soaked in 70%

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