FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Pyloric stenosis in a foal.
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne1980; 21(8); 234-236;

Pyloric stenosis in a foal.

Abstract: A two month old Thoroughbred filly was presented with signs of depression, grinding of the teeth, frothing of the mouth and abdominal pain. These signs had persisted for two weeks despite treatment with mineral oil, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, meperidine and antibiotics. A variety of diagnostic tests were done, the only abnormal finding was a stress leukon. On exploratory laparotomy the stomach was dilated with fluid and gas and the pyloric canal was constricted. Pyloroplasty resulted in correction of the condition. The etiological possibilities are discussed. This is believed to be the first report of pyloric stenosis in the horse.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1980-08-01 PubMed ID: 7427855PubMed Central: PMC1789725
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Case Reports
  • Journal Article

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 investigated a peculiar case of digestive tract obstruction called ‘pyloric stenosis’ in a two-month-old Thoroughbred filly which was displaying signs of discomfort and abdominal pain for two weeks. After undergoing various diagnostic tests and an exploratory surgery, the condition was corrected through a surgical procedure known as ‘pyloroplasty’. The researchers believe this to be the first reported case of pyloric stenosis in a horse.

Case Presentation and Symptoms

The research begins with the description of the case. A two-month old Thoroughbred filly was observed to display signs of distress such as:

  • Depression
  • Teeth grinding
  • Frothing at the mouth
  • Abdominal pain

Despite attempts to treat the identified symptoms using various medications such as mineral oil, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, meperidine, and antibiotics for two weeks, the condition didn’t improve.

Diagnostic Tests and Findings

The researchers conducted several diagnostic tests on the filly. Out of these tests, only one revealed an abnormal finding:

  • A high number of stress leukocytes (also known as white blood cells) in her blood.

This is often an indicator of the body’s immune system responding to prolonged stress or an infection.

Exploratory Surgery and Treatment

In an attempt to discover what was causing the filly’s symptoms, an exploratory laparotomy was conducted. In this procedure:

  • The stomach of the filly was found to be excessively dilated with fluid and gas.
  • The pyloric canal was constricted, thus preventing food from passing from the stomach to the small intestine, a condition known as ‘pyloric stenosis’.

After identifying the problem, a surgical procedure called ‘pyloroplasty’ was used to correct the condition. In this operation, the muscle of the pylorus (the opening from the stomach into the intestine) is divided in order to expand the opening and allow food to pass through more freely.

Discussion of Etiological Possibilities

Though the exact cause of the condition was not determined by the research, possible causes were discussed with respect to horses. These could include muscular or neurological abnormalities causing reduced movement of the digestive tract, or possibly genetic factors, as this condition is typically observed in certain human populations.

Finally, the writers surmise that this study appears to be the first to report about pyloric stenosis, a typically rare condition in horses, thus adding significant value to equine health research and veterinary medicine.

Cite This Article

APA
Barth AD, Barber SM, McKenzie NT. (1980). Pyloric stenosis in a foal. Can Vet J, 21(8), 234-236.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 8
Pages: 234-236

Researcher Affiliations

Barth, A D
    Barber, S M
      McKenzie, N T

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
        • Horses
        • Pyloric Stenosis / diagnosis
        • Pyloric Stenosis / veterinary

        References

        This article includes 21 references
        1. Randolph JG. Y-U advancement pyloroplasty.. Ann Surg 1975 May;181(5):586-90.
          pubmed: 1093489doi: 10.1097/00000658-197505000-00011google scholar: lookup
        2. Bruckner WL, Snow HD, Fonkalsrud EW. Gastric secretion in the canine fetus following maternal stimulation: experimental studies on placental transfer of insulin, histamine, and gastrin.. Surgery 1970 Feb;67(2):360-3.
          pubmed: 5411302
        3. Donovan EJ. Congenital Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis.. Ann Surg 1946 Oct;124(4):708-14.
          pubmed: 17858873
        4. Kreel L, Ellis H. Pyloric stenosis in adults: A clinical and radiological study of 100 consecutive patients.. Gut 1965 Jun;6(3):253-61.
          pubmed: 18668780doi: 10.1136/gut.6.3.253google scholar: lookup
        5. Janik JS, Akbar AM, Burrington JD, Burke G. The role of gastrin in congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.. J Pediatr Surg 1978 Apr;13(2):151-4.
          pubmed: 650365doi: 10.1016/s0022-3468(78)80009-8google scholar: lookup
        6. Dodge JA. Production of duodenal ulcers and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis by administration of pentagastrin to pregnant and newborn dogs.. Nature 1970 Jan 17;225(5229):284-5.
          pubmed: 5409985doi: 10.1038/225284a0google scholar: lookup
        7. Dodge JA, Karim AA. Induction of pyloric hypertrophy by pentagastrin. An animal model for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.. Gut 1976 Apr;17(4):280-4.
          pubmed: 773789doi: 10.1136/gut.17.4.280google scholar: lookup
        8. RHEINLANDER HF, SWENSON O. The diagnosis and management of congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.. J Pediatr 1952 Sep;41(3):314-9.
          pubmed: 12991156doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(52)80008-3google scholar: lookup
        9. Hayden WF, Read RC. A comparative study of the Heinecke-Mikulicz and Finney pyloroplasty.. Am J Surg 1968 Nov;116(5):755-8.
          pubmed: 5685825doi: 10.1016/0002-9610(68)90362-0google scholar: lookup
        10. Hines JR. A new method of pyloroplasty.. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1971 Jul;133(1):101-2.
          pubmed: 5091816
        11. Konvolinka CW, Wermuth CR. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in older infants.. Am J Dis Child 1971 Jul;122(1):76-7 passim.
          pubmed: 5567412doi: 10.1001/archpedi.1971.02110010112023google scholar: lookup
        12. GHARIB R. THE INCIDENCE OF INFANTILE PYLORIC STENOSIS.. J Pediatr 1964 Oct;65:622-4.
          pubmed: 14216652
        13. Go TS, Morse WH. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in adults.. Am J Gastroenterol 1973 Oct;60(4):400-5.
          pubmed: 4758298
        14. GANDHI RK, ROBARTS FH. Hour-glass stricture of the stomach and pyloric stenosis due to ferrous sulphate poisoning.. Br J Surg 1962 May;49:613-7.
          pubmed: 13896615doi: 10.1002/bjs.18004921811google scholar: lookup
        15. Twaddle AA. Congenital pyloric stenosis in two kittens corrected by pyloroplasty.. N Z Vet J 1971 Jan-Feb;19(1-2):26-7.
          pubmed: 5280751doi: 10.1080/00480169.1971.33924google scholar: lookup
        16. Pearson H, Gaskell CJ, Gibbs C, Waterman A. Pyloric and oesophageal dysfunction in the cat.. J Small Anim Pract 1974 Aug;15(8):487-501.
          pubmed: 4469560doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1974.tb06527.xgoogle scholar: lookup
        17. AUST JB. A new technique for pyloroplasty.. Surgery 1963 Mar;53:309.
          pubmed: 13965571
        18. Twaddle AA. Pyloric stenosis in three cats and its correction by pyloroplasty.. N Z Vet J 1970 Jan-Feb;18(1-2):15-7.
          pubmed: 5266504doi: 10.1080/00480169.1970.33849google scholar: lookup
        19. LYONS AS. Pyloric stenosis due to lye ingestion.. N Y State J Med 1962 Oct 1;62:3093-7.
          pubmed: 14467642
        20. HERWEG JC, MIDDELKAMP JN, THORNTON HK, REED CA. A search into the etiology of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.. J Pediatr 1962 Aug;61:309-10.
          pubmed: 13906945doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(62)80292-3google scholar: lookup
        21. Cooperman AM, Hoerr SO. Pyloroplasty.. Surg Clin North Am 1975 Oct;55(5):1019-24.
          pubmed: 1162545doi: 10.1016/s0039-6109(16)40729-2google scholar: lookup

        Citations

        This article has been cited 1 times.
        1. Geor RJ, Petrie L, Papich MG, Rousseaux C. The protective effects of sucralfate and ranitidine in foals experimentally intoxicated with phenylbutazone. Can J Vet Res 1989 Apr;53(2):231-8.
          pubmed: 2713788
        Subscribe to our newsletter
        Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.