Volvulus of the colon in a horse associated with a mesocolic-umbilical band.

The research article describes a rare case of a horse suffering from colonic volvulus (twisting of the colon), caused by an abnormal tissue band linking the colon to the horse’s belly button. The horse experienced serious complications post-operation, including low sodium levels, metabolic acidosis and a painful hoof condition.

Case Presentation and Diagnosis

• The paper discusses a 7-years-old Clydesdale mare presenting severe abdominal distension (enlargement) and acute colic, a common but potentially serious digestive disorder in horses characterized by abdominal discomfort and pain.
• Upon veterinary examination, the mare’s large intestine was found to be dilated (enlarged due to the abnormal pressure of accumulated gas or fluid) as confirmed through rectal palpation. A decision was taken to carry out an exploratory laparotomy, a surgical procedure where an incision is made to the abdomen to examine its organs.
• The laparotomy revealed a 180 degrees volvulus, which means the horse’s colon was twisted around its axis by 180 degrees. Most importantly, this pathological condition was found to be linked with the presence of an inelastic band of tissue linking the mesocolon (the tissue that attaches the large intestine to the back of the abdominal wall) to the umbilicus (belly button).

Treatment and Postoperative Complications

• The corrective measure involved was ligation (tying) and transection (cutting) of the band, followed by the reduction of the volvulus, which meant untwisting the colon back to its normal position.
• Despite the successful surgery, the mare developed several postoperative complications. Hyponatraemia, a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of sodium in the blood was observed, as was metabolic acidosis, a disturbance in the body’s acid-base balance leading to excessive acidity in the blood.
• The horse also suffered from laminitis post-operation, a serious, painful condition affecting the horse’s hooves, likely caused by the systemic inflammation associated with the volvulus and/or its treatment.

Aetiology of the Mesocolic-Umbilical Band

• The article also focuses on the discussion surrounding the possible origins of the mesocolic-umbilical band, the unusual tissue linking the mesocolon to the umbilicus. Understanding these can offer insights into preventive measures or early detection strategies of colonic volvulus in horses.