Intestinal adenocarcinoma in ponies: Clinical and pathological findings

Abstract

Summary Intestinal adenocarcinomas ( IAC s) are rarely described in horses, particularly in ponies. Here, the clinical and pathomorphological findings of three mature ponies with IAC s are reported. All animals had a history of recurrent colic, and displayed hyperfibrinogenaemia. Clinical investigations could not confirm intestinal neoplasia. On gross post‐mortem examination, papillary colonic neoplastic masses partially obliterated the intestinal lumen. In two cases, metastases were present. Histologically, IAC s were classified as tubulo‐acinar subtypes with occasional stromal osseous metaplasia. In one case, prestenotic impaction had resulted in rupture of the colon with secondary septic peritonitis. In mature ponies suffering from recurrent colic intestinal neoplasia should be considered as a differential diagnosis.