Right dorsal displacement of the large colon as a cause of surgical colic in three foals in New Zealand.

This research shows that Right Dorsal Displacement of the Large Colon (RDDLC) was identified as a cause for surgical colic in three foals in New Zealand. The incident rate appears higher than expected, suggesting that further investigation is necessary to identify risk factors or management practices that contribute to this condition.

Overview of the Research

• The study was performed over a three-year period between July 2008 and July 2011 in a referral facility in Waikato, New Zealand.
• During the study, ten exploratory laparotomies were performed on foals, with RDDLC identified in four of these surgeries on three different foals.
• These foals presented mild-to-moderate colic symptoms that did not respond to medical management, leading to surgical intervention.
• The research suggests that RDDLC is a potential cause for surgical colic in foals, a conclusion drawn from the observed higher-than-normal occurrence of the condition in the facility.

Findings and Conclusions

• One of the foals required a repeat laparotomy seven weeks after the initial surgery due to a recurrence of RDDLC.
• The study concludes that further research is needed to understand the underlying factors contributing to RDDLC. This would include identifying risk factors and examining existing management practices related to the condition.
• The cause of RDDLC is especially important to consider in cases where colic does not respond to medical treatment and does not appear to cause severe pain.
• The failure to recognize and address this condition promptly could potentially lead to strangulating obstruction which requires surgical intervention.
• RDDLC is of significance as it is an uncommonly reported cause of surgical colic in foals, thus meriting further attention and study for a better understanding.