Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Anorectal lymphadenopathy causing colic, perirectal abscesses, or both in five young horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1997
- Authors:
- Magee, A A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In this study, five young horses, aged between 3 and 15 months, were found to have swollen lymph nodes near their rectum, which caused them to experience colic, or abdominal pain. The horses showed signs of difficulty passing stool and were evaluated by a veterinarian. A physical exam revealed a firm mass blocking the lower part of the rectum in each horse. In four of the horses, tests showed that the masses were made up of lymphoid cells, and these either shrank over time or developed into abscesses that drained into the rectum. One horse needed surgery to drain a mature abscess, but the other four were treated successfully without surgery. This suggests that swollen lymph nodes in this area should be considered when young horses show signs of colic.
Abstract
Enlarged anorectal lymph nodes can cause colic in young horses by obstructing the caudal aspect of the rectum. Dyschezia and clinical signs consistent with abdominal pain were the predominant reasons for evaluation of the 5 young (3 to 15 month old) horses of this report. Digital transrectal palpation revealed a firm mass obstructing the caudal aspect of the rectum in each horse. Results of cytologic evaluation of the masses revealed a lymphoid population of cells in 4 of 5 horses. These nodes regressed over time or became abscesses and drained into the rectum. In 1 horse, detection of a mature abscess and concomitant dysuria necessitated immediate surgical drainage of the mass; however, the other 4 horses were successfully managed medically, thereby avoiding risks associated with surgery of the perirectal area. Anorectal lymphadenopathy should be considered as a differential diagnosis in young horses with colic.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9074684/