Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a dog: case report
- Journal:
- Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia
- Year:
- 2011
- Authors:
- A.L. Bicalho et al.
- Affiliation:
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais · BR
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 1.2-year-old female Pug was diagnosed with a rare condition called intestinal pseudo-obstruction, which means her intestines weren't moving food along properly. She had been experiencing vomiting, constipation, and later developed diarrhea and a swollen belly. During surgery, the vets found that her small intestine was not working as it should and was filled with gas. A biopsy showed significant damage to the muscle cells in her intestinal wall, which helped confirm the diagnosis. The treatment focused on managing her symptoms and addressing the underlying issues, but the outcome of the treatment isn't specified.
Abstract
Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare disorder that affects gastrointestinal propulsion. It may be secondary to several pathological conditions or it may develop without a known cause. A 1.2 year-old intact Pug bitch had a history of vomiting and constipation, which were followed by diarrhea and distended abdomen. Hypomotility and dilation of the small intestine, which was filled with gas, were observed during laparotomy. Histologically, full thickness biopsy specimens demonstrated a severe loss and degeneration of leiomyocytes in the inner and outer muscular layers of the intestinal wall, whereas there was a marked hypertrophy and hyperplasia of smooth muscle cells in the lamina propria, and extremely thickened muscularis mucosae arranged in bundles oriented in different directions with marked hypertrophy and hyperplasia of leiomyocytes. Distribution of leiomyocytes was further characterized by immunohistochemistry. These findings support the diagnosis of intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a Pug, associated with degeneration and loss of leiomyocytes in the muscular layer.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352011000600007