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Ostriches, emus and rheas
British Small Animal Veterinary Association , 221 (2010); https://doi.org/10.22233/9781905319909.12
/content/chapter/10.22233/9781905319909.chap12
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Ostriches, emus and rheas

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Abstract

This chapter provides the need-to-know information on ostriches, emus and rheas:

  • Biology
  • Husbandry
  • Handling and restraint
  • Diagnostic approach
  • Common conditions
  • Supportive care
  • Anaesthesia and analgesia
  • Common surgical procedures
  • Euthanasia
  • Drug formulary.

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/content/chapter/10.22233/9781905319909.chap12

Figures

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12.1
The three ratites most likely to be seen by the veterinary surgeon: ostrich; emu; and greater rhea. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.1 The three ratites most likely to be seen by the veterinary surgeon: ostrich; emu; and greater rhea.
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12.3
The tissue prominence in female emus is found in the same location as the male phallus – on the ventral floor of the cloaca. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.3 The tissue prominence in female emus is found in the same location as the male phallus – on the ventral floor of the cloaca.
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12.4
Young ratites, like these emus, need plenty of room to run and exercise to maintain normal skeletal growth in their legs and prevent excessive weight gain. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.4 Young ratites, like these emus, need plenty of room to run and exercise to maintain normal skeletal growth in their legs and prevent excessive weight gain.
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12.5
It is important to build strong fencing around ostrich holding pens to prevent birds from breaking out if startled. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.5 It is important to build strong fencing around ostrich holding pens to prevent birds from breaking out if startled.
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12.6
Shelters protect birds from environmental stresses such as weather. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.6 Shelters protect birds from environmental stresses such as weather.
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12.8
Artificial incubation. This large, well built incubator has been specifically designed to incubate ratite eggs, thereby increasing hatch success. Setting up an incubator room allows for better biosecurity and external environmental control. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.8 Artificial incubation. This large, well built incubator has been specifically designed to incubate ratite eggs, thereby increasing hatch success. Setting up an incubator room allows for better biosecurity and external environmental control.
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12.10
Young ostriches that have been removed from the incubator and placed in a hatcher. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.10 Young ostriches that have been removed from the incubator and placed in a hatcher.
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12.11
Handling young ostriches. Sitting behind the bird, with its legs folded underneath its body, is an effective way to restrain a bird of this size. Care must be taken not to sit on the body or compress the body cavity. Restraint for physical examination. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.11 Handling young ostriches. Sitting behind the bird, with its legs folded underneath its body, is an effective way to restrain a bird of this size. Care must be taken not to sit on the body or compress the body cavity. Restraint for physical examination.
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12.12
Hooded adult ostrich being examined in a chute. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.12 Hooded adult ostrich being examined in a chute.
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12.13
Palpating a restrained large juvenile ostrich. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.13 Palpating a restrained large juvenile ostrich.
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12.14
A nerve block is being placed in the hock of this ostrich to try and localize the site of lameness. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.14 A nerve block is being placed in the hock of this ostrich to try and localize the site of lameness.
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12.15
To examine a bird for gastric impaction or an ingested foreign body, the patient can be placed on the radiographic cassette, under mild sedation, to obtain a dorsoventral view of the coelomic cavity. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.15 To examine a bird for gastric impaction or an ingested foreign body, the patient can be placed on the radiographic cassette, under mild sedation, to obtain a dorsoventral view of the coelomic cavity.
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12.16
The right jugular vein is commonly used for blood collection from ratite species. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.16 The right jugular vein is commonly used for blood collection from ratite species.
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12.18
Avian pox lesions on a young ostrich. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.18 Avian pox lesions on a young ostrich.
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12.19
granulomas on the liver of an emu. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.19 granulomas on the liver of an emu.
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12.20
granulomas in the lung of a young emu. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.20 granulomas in the lung of a young emu.
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12.21
A young ratite suffering from skeletal leg abnormalities. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.21 A young ratite suffering from skeletal leg abnormalities.
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12.22
An indwelling intravenous catheter placed in the basilic vein of an ostrich. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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12.22 An indwelling intravenous catheter placed in the basilic vein of an ostrich.
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