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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Small Colon Faecalith with Large Colon Displacement in Ten C...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(2); doi: 10.3390/ani14020262

Small Colon Faecalith with Large Colon Displacement in Ten Cases (2015-2023): A Detailed Case Description and Literature Review.

Abstract: Small colon impaction can result in accumulation of ingesta, gas, and fluid orally to the impaction site in horses. Large colon tympany, which is caused by ingesta fermentation, can be a predisposing factor for intestinal displacement. The aim of this study is to report the history, clinical, and surgical findings of horses and ponies referred for abdominal pain not responsive to drugs where a right dorsal displacement (RDD) or large colon volvulus (LCV), together with a small colon faecalith (SCF), were diagnosed during surgery. This study included a total of five horses and five ponies. Based on clinical features, ultrasonographic examination, and rectal palpation, an initial suspected diagnosis of RDD, LCV or severe large colon and caecum distension was made in all clinical cases. Due to the lack of response to medical treatment or worsening of colic symptoms, surgery was performed in all horses: diagnosis of RDD or LCV was made and a SCF was incidentally detected in all cases. While exploratory laparotomy was carried out in all the patients for the presence of a large colon issue, it was probably subsequent to an obstruction of the small colon caused by the presence of an SCF, which is generally difficult to diagnose. This study reported the presence of SCF as a possible cause of secondary RDD or LCV in horses and ponies that, to the authors' knowledge, has never been reported.
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Publication Date: 2024-01-15 PubMed ID: 38254431PubMed Central: PMC10812404DOI: 10.3390/ani14020262Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This research article investigates the connection between small colon impaction in horses and colon displacement. The study uses ten cases of horses and ponies with non-drug-responsive abdominal pain, where it detected small colon faecalith and colon displacement during surgery.

Background

  • Small colon impaction refers to a blockage in the small colon of horses, which often leads to an accumulation of ingesta (food taken into the body), gas, and fluid.
  • The large colon can expand excessively due to gas or fermentation of ingesta, a condition identified as large colon tympany.

Aim of the Study

  • The primary objective of the study was to examine the history, clinical, and surgical findings of horses and ponies experiencing drug-resistant abdominal pain.
  • Through surgery, findings of right dorsal displacement (RDD), large colon volvulus (LCV), and small colon faecalith (SCF) were discovered.

Methodology

  • The study group consisted of five horses and five ponies, each suspected of having RDD, LCV, or severe large colon and caecum distension.
  • The diagnoses were based on clinical features, ultrasonography, and rectal palpation.
  • All participants underwent surgery due to non-responsive medical treatment or worsening colic symptoms, and SCF was found coincidentally in all instances.

Findings

  • The results imply that issues with the large colon, prompting exploratory laparotomy in all the patients, could have been a secondary effect of an obstruction in the small colon by the SCF.
  • Diagnosing SCF can be challenging, according to the researchers.

Significance

  • The study highlights the role of SCF as a potential cause of secondary RDD or LCV, a connection not previously reported in veterinary literature.

Cite This Article

APA
Scilimati N, Cerullo A, Nannarone S, Gialletti R, Giusto G, Bertoletti A. (2024). Small Colon Faecalith with Large Colon Displacement in Ten Cases (2015-2023): A Detailed Case Description and Literature Review. Animals (Basel), 14(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020262

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 2

Researcher Affiliations

Scilimati, Nicola
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
Cerullo, Anna
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
Nannarone, Sara
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
Gialletti, Rodolfo
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
Giusto, Gessica
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
Bertoletti, Alice
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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