When humans get food stuck in the pouchlike folds of their intestine, they develop diverticulosis. When birds can't move food at a normal rate through their crop, (the pouch in their esophagus at the base of their neck), the condition is called Crop Slowdown (Stasis) or Sour Crop. The term Sour Crop refers to the fermentation that can occur in the trapped food. The condition, untreated, can quickly lead to pneumonia and death.
MECHANICS: normally, food moves from the crop through the thoracic esophagus to the proventriculus (the first stomach) on to the ventriculus (second stomach) and out through the digestive tract. Obstruction at any point in the digestive tract can cause the back up. If the bird continues to eat by will or force, the food will eventually back up to the crop. When peristalsis ceases, it is called stasis non movement.
CAUSES: Obstruction by foreign objects or tumors.
Viral diseases that cause dilatation of the first stomach.
Bacterial infection anywhere in the intestinal tract.
Fungal infection in the crop or first stomach.
Liver disease or pancreatitis.
Improper feeding of young birds.
This last cause, improper feeding of young unweaned birds, is very common. Feeding formula for young birds must not be too hot or cold, too thick or too thin, and not served in a room with humidity outside the 55-75 percent ideal. Cold food tends to shut down the metabolism in a young bird; hot food may burn the crop. A room that is too cold uses all of the bird's energy for keeping warm, leaving none for digestion.
SYMPTOMS: (in both young and adult birds)
Vomiting, regurgitation, diarrhea
Overdistended crop
Lack of appetite (no feeding response in young birds like head bobbing)
Listlessness
DIAGNOSIS: Crop slowdown is usually easy to diagnose in young birds, but adults may require more testing including blood analysis, culturing of the crop contents and feces for bacteria, x-rays and endoscopy. The veterinarian will also want to know the bird's history, chewing habits, and diet.
TREATMENT: Serious cases of Crop Slowdown may require hospitalization with i.v. or subcutaneous fluids, antibiotics and anti-fungal medicines, medications that promote movement through the digestive tract, and lastly, surgery. HOME TREATMENT after consulting a veterinarian will include careful monitoring of food temperature and consistency; observation (by touch) of the crop size to make sure it is getting smaller, and adherence to medication schedules. If the bird begins to vomit or has a change in droppings, the veterinarian should be consulted.
PREVENTION: The importance of proper temperature in baby bird formula can not be over emphasized. Use a thermometer, not your wrist, to make sure it is between 105 and 107 degrees. Also, follow package directions to make sure it is the right consistency. Overly thick formula can block the crop and cause dehydration which can kill quickly. Be careful to feed the right amount. Force fed birds can have their crops dilated resulting in stretched esophageal muscles that will no longer be able to perform their peristaltic function. Force fed birds can also retain too much food in the crop leading to putrefaction or "sour crop." A young bird may also ingest a piece of its nesting material causing a blockage. The healthy crop should completely empty every 24 hours. If it does not, tsp of applesauce or papaya concentrate can be added to the formula. A baby bird with sour crop can be given plain Pedialyte (electrolyte balance solution for children) also at 105-107 degrees every two hours. The crop can be gently massaged being careful not to push it upward.
If these measures don't seem to be working, the bird should be taken to a veterinarian immediately as timely treatment is the key to saving the bird's life.