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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Colt with colic due to intestinal twist - what to know

By Voss, Jana K & Dubois, Marie-SoleilĀ·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienneĀ·2021Ā·Ontario Veterinary College, CanadaĀ·View original on PubMed →

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Original publication title: Redundant mesocolonic mesentery in a Shire colt.

Colic in horsesStomach & digestion

Plain-English summary

A 3-month-old Shire colt was brought in because he was having severe belly pain (colic) that didn't get better with medication. During surgery to look inside his abdomen, the veterinarians found that a part of his intestine was positioned abnormally due to a condition called redundant mesocolonic mesentery, which is likely something he was born with. This abnormality made it easier for his intestine to twist and get stuck, causing his pain. The case shows that when young animals have ongoing health issues, it's important to consider that they might have unusual anatomical problems, and sometimes surgery is necessary to find out what's wrong. The treatment helped identify the issue, but the outcome of the colt's recovery isn't specified in the report.

Abstract

An unusual condition in a 3-month-old Shire colt presented for colic unresponsive to medical therapy is documented in this report. A redundant mesocolonic mesentery resulting in intestinal displacement and volvulus was diagnosed during exploratory celiotomy. The finding was presumed to be congenital, resulting in a loose anatomic configuration that predisposed the intestine to displacement, torsion, volvulus, and entrapment. Key clinical message: This case demonstrates that congenial anatomical anomalies should be included in the differential of younger animals presented for recurrent conditions and highlights the use of exploratory celiotomy to reach a definitive diagnosis.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33542558/