JAMES HARRIS, DVM
Cloacitis can cause prolapse
 I have taken my seven-year-old male cockatoo to two avian vets in the past year. He was given antibiotics from both of them but still has the same problem. The first vet said he had a bacteria problem; the second said he had cloacal prolapse and would recommend surgery to fix the problem. After seeing two vets and getting ready to set up an appointment with a third, I decided to do some research on my own. I realized he has all the symptoms of cloacitis. Could you please tell me what I can do for this problem?
-- Kristen Worthington
 You're probably right - cloacitis is at the root of all your bird's problems. However, cloacitis, the prolapse, and possibly the bacteria problem are all pieces of the same puzzle. The cloaca (from the Latin word meaning drain or common sewer) is the end of the digestive, urinary and reproductive tracts of birds and reptiles. Cloacitis is an inflammation of the cloaca, which can be caused by a bacterial infection. Cloacitis also can be caused by viral papillomas (warts), which can irritate the cloaca's lining, or constipation or egg laying, which can overstretch the cloaca's wall. Any of these underlying conditions in turn can result in prolapse, the term used to describe that nasty condition in which part of the cloaca protrudes through the bird's vent. Veterinarians can try a number of different things to prevent prolapse. One is to suture the vent to temporarily or permanently reduce the size of the opening. Another is to surgically attach the wall of the cloaca to the body wall. Sometimes a veterinarian will try both. But whatever you decide to do, someone has to find the underlying cause of the cloacitis and resolve it, or the inflammation will continue and the prolapse will just come back.
James Harris, DVM is owner and medical director of the Mayfair Veterinary Clinic in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia. He founded Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, Calif., and has served as medical director and chairman of the board for the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Berkeley. Dr. Harris' numerous professional honors include California and National Bustad Companion Animal DVM Awards.
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