Volvulus of the cecum and large colon caused by multiple mesenteric defects in a horse.

The research article discusses a rare medical condition of a 2-year-old Standardbred colt horse, who showed signs of abdominal pain due to the twisting or volvulus of the large colon and cecum caused by multiple defects in the connective tissue, known as the mesentery.

Initial Clinical Observations

• The horse was initially brought in for examination as it had been showing symptoms of abdominal pain for around 12 hours.
• Other observed symptoms included tachycardia (an abnormally rapid heart rate) and distention in the abdomen.
• Findings from a rectal palpation showed that the horse’s ventral colon was distended and thickened, which indicated that the horse’s large colon was either displaced or subject to early strangulation obstruction.

Surgical Findings And Intervention

• The surgical exploration revealed that the horse’s large colon had twisted around an attachment of the dorsal mesentery (a supportive membrane that carries blood vessels and lymphatics) which connected to the transverse colon.
• Surprisingly, the cecum (the pouch at the beginning of the large intestine) could be completely removed from the body and it was found to lack both the cecocolic ligament (which normally connects the cecum to the colon) and dorsal mesentery attachments.
• Similar mesenteric attachments were also found missing in the right ventral and dorsal colons of the horse.
• During the surgery, the displaced organs were repositioned back to their original place and the horse was allowed to recover and was discharged 13 days post-surgery.

Post-Surgery Follow Up And Necropsy Findings

• Unfortunately, the horse developed critical colic pain again after 6 months following the initial surgery and was ultimately put down due to the severity of the condition.
• An autopsy, also referred to as necropsy in animals, was conducted and it was revealed that the horse had developed mesenteric volvulus (twisting of the mesentery forming an axis), along with omental adhesions (abnormal fibrous bands that connect the organs).