Equine large intestinal volvulus. A review of 124 cases.

The research investigates cases of ascending colon volvulus, a twisted gut condition in horses, providing key insights on the average age of affected horses, associated symptoms, and survival rates.

Subjects and Age

• The study was based on 122 horses suffering from a certain type of gut twist known as ascending colon volvulus.
• The average age of these horses was 6.6 years, with fluctuations indicated by 0.4 years, confirming the condition is seen in relatively young horses.

Presenting Signs

• Gastric reflux, a symptom where the stomach’s content flow back into the esophagus, was observed in approximately 35% of the cases.

Peritoneal Fluid Analysis

• The peritoneal fluid plays a crucial role in many bodily functions and changes in its protein levels are often used to diagnose health conditions. The average protein level in the peritoneal fluid of the afflicted horses was 2.54 g/dl, with variations around 0.14 g/dl.
• Interestingly, 20 horses exhibited grossly normal peritoneal fluid at the time they were presented, suggesting this condition might not always cause noticeable changes in peritoneal fluid.

Anatomical Observations

• Upon examination, it was found that the ascending colon volvulus mostly occurred at the cecocolic fold, a region where the cecum (first part of the large intestine) connects to the colon.
• This twist usually started with the lower part of the colon moving in a dorsomedial (upward and towards the middle) direction around the axis of the mesocolon that supports the colon.

Survival and Recurrence Rates

• The medical prognosis for horses with ascending colon volvulus was found to be rather grim, with a survival rate of only approximately 35%.
• However, it was noted that the chances of recurrence were relatively low, at merely about 5%.