Call Duck Phallus Prolapse and Amputation Surgery for Long Island Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic

Case Study #30: Call Duck Phallus Prolapse

Patient: Call Duck (Age 2) Location: Long Island, NY

Waterfowl medicine is a specialized area of exotic veterinary care. Ducks have unique anatomy, and male ducks (drakes) can occasionally experience a reproductive condition called phallus prolapse, which requires prompt evaluation by an experienced veterinarian.

A 2-year-old male Call Duck from Long Island, NY, presented to our clinic with a history of lethargy and a visible tissue protrusion that had persisted for a week. His case demonstrates the necessity of specialized surgical intervention to prevent fatal infection.

The Patient: Chronic Prolapse Unlike mammals, male ducks have a phallus that is housed inside the cloaca and everts (comes out) during mating. Sometimes, due to underlying health conditions, the phallus fails to retract. The patient arrived with a phallus that had been prolapsed for a week.

The Examination: The exposed tissue was dry, necrotic, and no longer viable. Once tissue loses blood supply, it cannot recover and can become a site for bacterial infection, which may lead to serious complications like cloacitis or sepsis.

The Diagnosis: Necrosis and Surgical Planning We sedated the patient to perform a thorough exam and Radiographs.

The Decision: The tissue damage was too severe for the phallus to be repaired. To protect the patient's health and prevent serious complications, the only safe option was phallus amputation.

The Treatment: Amputation and Vent Suture Owners often worry about the quality of life after this surgery. The good news is that the phallus is used strictly for reproduction, not for urination. Ducks urinate and defecate through the cloaca, which remains intact.

• The Surgery: Under general anesthesia, we surgically amputated the necrotic phallus.

• Vent Suture: We placed a temporary suture on the side of the vent to reduce the opening slightly and prevent further prolapse of internal tissue while the area healed.

• Medication: The patient was treated with anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.

Recovery: Back to the Pond The duck recovered smoothly. He remained hospitalized for one day for monitoring and was discharged once he was eating and defecating normally.

He is now back home in Long Island, swimming and foraging. While he can no longer breed, he lives a completely normal, pain-free life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does a prolapse happen in ducks? Phallus prolapse in male ducks can occur for several reasons, including breeding-related overuse, infection or inflammation, trauma, or underlying health issues. Any of these factors can cause the phallus to become swollen and prevent it from retracting normally.

Is anesthesia safe for ducks? Ducks have a "diving reflex" that can make anesthesia tricky (they hold their breath). At Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic, we use specific protocols to manage this and keep them breathing safely during surgery.

Do you treat backyard ducks? Yes. We see many ducks, geese, and chickens. We treat bumblefoot, reproductive issues, trauma, respiratory infections and much more in all waterfowl.

Contact Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic: Website: https://www.birdexoticsvet.com/ Phone: (516) 482-1101