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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Med Sci / Caecal dysfunction following standing surgical procedures.
Veterinary medicine and science2022; 8(5); 1930-1935; doi: 10.1002/vms3.882

Caecal dysfunction following standing surgical procedures.

Abstract: The aim of this study is to report cases of caecal dysfunction following surgical procedures in the standing horse. The study design is retrospective. Six client-owned horses developed caecal dysfunction following a variety of surgical procedures undertaken in the standing sedated horse. Medical records were reviewed for caecal dysfunctions that had occurred in horses within 2 weeks of standing surgical procedures. Signalment, details of the original standing surgery and medications administered were recorded. Short-term outcome was obtained from clinical records. Long-term outcome was obtained by telephone questionnaire with the owner. Six horses were identified to have developed caecal dysfunction following standing surgery for tooth extraction, laparoscopic ovariectomy, laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy, fracture repair, melanoma removal and castration. Three horses were euthanised with caecal perforation at the time of diagnosis. Three underwent surgical treatment (typhlotomy, decompression and caecal bypass by ileocolostomy). All three horses were alive post-operatively (follow-up at 2, 12 and 24 months). Caecal dysfunction may develop following surgical procedures performed under standing sedation. Careful post-operative monitoring and early identification of caecal dysfunction, and consequent potential need for surgical intervention, are important to optimise outcomes and minimise the risk of fatal caecal perforation occurring.
© 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2022-07-27 PubMed ID: 35894758PubMed Central: PMC9514489DOI: 10.1002/vms3.882Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research reports cases of caecal dysfunction that occur post-surgery in standing horses, highlighting its potential risks and necessity for effective monitoring to optimize outcomes and prevent fatal consequences such as caecal perforation.

Research Objective and Methodology

  • The study aims to bring attention to the complications of caecal dysfunction in horses following various types of surgeries performed while the horse is standing and sedated.
  • For this research, a retrospective analysis was conducted, reviewing medical records of six horses that developed caecal dysfunction within 2 weeks of standing surgery.
  • The parameters taken into account include the breed, age & gender of the horse (signalment), specifics of the original surgery, and the medicines administered.
  • Short-term outcomes were sourced from clinical records, while long-term results were obtained via phone questionnaire with the horse owners.

Key Findings

  • The six horses observed developed caecal dysfunction following various surgeries such as tooth extraction, laparoscopic ovariectomy, laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy, fracture repair, melanoma removal, and castration.
  • Half of the horses were euthanised due to caecal perforation detected at the time of diagnosis.
  • The other three who underwent surgical treatment (typhlotomy, decompression, and caecal bypass via ileocolostomy) survived post-surgery, with the longest follow-up being at 24 months.

Conclusions

  • The findings suggest that caecal dysfunction can develop following surgeries performed under standing sedation.
  • Effective post-operative monitoring and early identification of caecal dysfunction are vitally important to help optimize patient outcomes and reduce the risk of lethal complications such as caecal perforation.

Cite This Article

APA
Gough RL, McGovern KF, Bladon BM, Carmichael LA. (2022). Caecal dysfunction following standing surgical procedures. Vet Med Sci, 8(5), 1930-1935. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.882

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 5
Pages: 1930-1935

Researcher Affiliations

Gough, Rachel L
  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
McGovern, Kate F
  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Bladon, Bruce M
  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Carmichael, Lucy Aj
  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cecum / surgery
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Laparoscopy / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies

Conflict of Interest Statement

Some of the cases were presented at the Colic Symposium, Lexington, Kentucky, USA 2017.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Wenzel CJ, Mochal-King CA, Eddy AL, Bowser JE, Wills RW, Jumper WI, Claude A, Swiderski CE. Surgical Assessment and Post-Operative Complications Following Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) of Horses with Severe Equine Pasture Asthma During Asthma Exacerbation and Remission. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 4;15(15).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15152276pubmed: 40805066google scholar: lookup
  2. Obrochta B, Tapio H, Raekallio M, Gracia Calvo LA, Pöyhönen RR, Hagman K, Jantunen N, Karikoski N. Effects of vatinoxan on gastrointestinal motility, sedation, and antinociception during and after long-lasting detomidine infusion in horses. Equine Vet J 2026 Jan;58(1):212-219.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14499pubmed: 40110892google scholar: lookup
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