Rectal Fluid Therapy in Birds: An Experimental Study

Rectal infusion of hypotonic solution in four out of six fluid-deprived, healthy pigeons was shown to be an effective method of fluid administration. The success of this method is explained by the presence of physiologic adaptations in the avian rectum for rectal modification of ureteral urine. The failure to achieve fluid homeostasis in two pigeons possibly resulted from catheterinduced hyperperistaltic movement that prevented fluid resorption. We suggest that, after improvement of the technique, rectal infusion can be a good alternative route of fluid administration in birds when other methods are less appropriate.