Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Jejunocolic anastomosis for the surgical management of recurrent cecal impaction in a horse.
- Journal:
- Veterinary surgery : VS
- Year:
- 1987
- Authors:
- Ross, M W et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Studies · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old male Thoroughbred horse was having repeated problems with a blockage in his cecum, which is part of the digestive system, and the usual treatments weren't helping. To fix this, veterinarians performed a surgical procedure that connected part of his small intestine to his colon. After the surgery, he didn't have any more blockages and even gained weight, doing well for about 14 months. However, he did have three mild episodes of belly pain in the following months, and during those times, his poop was dry and hard, while it was usually soft otherwise. Overall, the surgery was successful in preventing the cecal impaction from coming back.
Abstract
A 5-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with recurrent cecal impaction refractory to medical management was treated with a side-to-side jejunocolic anastomosis. Cecal impaction did not recur after surgery. The horse gained weight and performed successfully for 14 months, but experienced three episodes of mild abdominal pain between 14 and 20 months after surgery. Mild cecal gas distention and firm ingesta in the colon were detected on rectal examination. The horse's feces remained soft after surgery, except during the colic episodes when dry, firm feces were passed.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3507154/