Small colon intussusception in a broodmare.

This research discusses a case of small colon intussusception in a pregnant horse which presented with mild abdominal discomfort, inability to defecate and slight abdominal swelling. The horse was successfully treated via surgery, although postoperative complications required a second procedure.

Introduction to the Case

• The research presents a case of a pregnant Standardbred broodmare, a breed of horse used for racing. This horse showed signs of mild abdominal pain, difficulty in defecating and a small degree of abdominal swelling.

Diagnosis

• Upon rectal examination, a small colon intussusception was discovered. This is a medical condition where a portion of the colon slides into an adjacent section, much like collapsing a telescope.
• A peritoneal fluid analysis indicated that the horse was also suffering from suppurative peritonitis, an infection in the lining of the abdomen which can cause severe inflammation.

Treatment Approach and Outcome

• The horse underwent surgery to address these issues directly. The surgical management included reduction of the intussusception, meaning the misplaced part of the colon was pushed back into its correct place.
• The surgery also included a small colon resection with end-to-end anastomosis. In this procedure, a diseased section of the colon was cut out and the healthy ends were attached directly to each other.
• The procedures resulted in a successful outcome with the horse’s condition improving at the one-year follow-up evaluation.

Postoperative Complications and Second Surgery

• Despite the initial success, there were postoperative complications such as dehiscence of the ventral midline surgical incision, meaning the surgical wound in the horse’s abdomen had split open.
• Furthermore, a simple obstruction occurred at the anastomosis site, causing a blockage at the location where the ends of the colon had been reattached.
• These complications necessitated a second surgical procedure for corrections.

Additional Observations

• The research concludes that small colon intussusception is a rare cause of abdominal pain. It is similar to a type-IV rectal prolapse, another condition where the rectum’s lining slips out of place.