RADIOGRAPHIC GASTROINTESTINAL CONTRAST STUDY IN THE OSTRICH (STRUTHIO CAMELUS)

Ten gastrointestinal contrast studies were performed with barium on seven clinically healthy ostriches. Concentrations of 25-100% w/vol liquid barium sulfate at 7 and 10 ml/kg were administered by stomach tube after withholding food for 16 h. A 6-frame technique for left-to-right lateral views in standing and a 3-frame technique for the dorsoventral views in sternally recumbent adult ostriches were used for survey and contrast radiographs. Objectives were to describe the appearance of the normal gastrointestinal tract with contrast radiography and to provide a guideline for optimal dosage and concentration of barium sulfate as well as a reliable protocol for frequency of radiographs. Structures that were consistently identified included the esophagus, proventriculus, ventriculus, duodenum, jejunum, proximal, and distal rectum. Due to the superimposition of the remainder of the small intestine, individual components were difficult to differentiate. The caeca were inconsistently highlighted and only for a short time. The ventral pouch of the coprodeum never filled with contrast medium.