Crop burn

 Crop Burn
By Dr. Panyalee Meesai Mongkol (Dr. Guk), Khwankham Animal Hospital

The crop is an enlargement at the end of the esophagus before entering the thoracic cavity. Its function is to temporarily store food. The duration of food in the crop depends on the quantity of food (on average, about 4-6 hours). Afterward, the food moves into the true stomach (proventriculus) for digestion to provide energy.

Causes of Crop Burn
Crop burn occurs when food with high temperatures (above 40°C) is fed, causing damage to the tissue of the crop and resulting in visible abnormal symptoms. This condition is often found in hand-fed chicks, as they require food to be administered primarily through feeding. However, it can also be observed in adult birds if they are fed food that is too hot.

Symptoms
In the early stages, birds may not show any symptoms. However, as the condition worsens, signs may include bruising on the skin around the crop, slower food movement through the crop (taking more than 6 hours), lethargy, regurgitation, weight loss due to lack of energy, and the potential for other systemic health issues. In severe cases, where the crop ruptures, scabs may form over the skin at the site of the rupture, or food may leak out externally after feeding. In some cases, it may take several days for the owner to notice food leakage.

Treatment
For mild cases, anti-inflammatory drugs and appropriate antibiotics are recommended. In cases where the crop movement is slow, medications to stimulate the upper gastrointestinal tract may be used. However, in severe cases where the crop has ruptured, surgical intervention may be required to repair the leak. The prognosis depends on the animal's condition at the time and the extent of damage to the crop tissue in each individual bird.