Clinical snapshot: acute colic in a paint horse.

This research discusses a case of acute colic in a 9-year-old paint gelding horse, which unfortunately died during transit to a veterinary hospital. The post-mortem examination revealed the horse had multiple granulomas around the proximal jejunum, a severely dilated small intestine, and a ruptured stomach leading to severe peritonitis. The lack of gastric reflux was likely due to pre-existing stomach rupture.

Diagnosis

• The horse was diagnosed with multiple granulomas around the proximal jejunum and severe peritonitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdomen and covers most of the abdominal organs.
• The small intestine (Jejunum and Duodenum) was heavily dilated by ingesta, indicative of a blockage and hence the symptoms of acute colic.
• Fungal hyphae consistent with Aspergillus spp were identified within the granulomas. However, without fungal culture tests, definitive identification of the fungus was not ascertainable.

Possible Causes of Intestinal Obstruction

• Nonstrangulating intraluminal causes, such as ascarid impaction, ileal impaction, and scarring with secondary stricture of the intestinal lumen.
• Nonstrangulating extraluminal causes, including abdominal adhesion, diverticular formation, and mesenteric abscessation.
• Strangulating causes such as intestinal volvulus, intussusception, hernia (umbilical, scrotal, diaphragmatic, gastrosplenic), neoplasia (strangulating lipoma), and vaginal evisceration.
• Nonstrangulating infarction of the small intestine caused by cranial mesenteric arteritis due to Strongylus vulgaris, or secondary to intussusception.
• A functional obstruction can involve ileus, a serious condition where the intestines do not function normally causing food, fluid, gas, etc., to build up in the intestines.

Possible Complications of Small Intestinal Obstruction

• The primary complication of a small intestinal obstruction as seen in this case, is rupture of the small intestine or the stomach. This can subsequently lead to other severe, life-threatening complications such as peritonitis.