Rotation of the colon in horses

TWIST OR ROTATION OF THE COLON IN HORSES

Symptoms

  • Intermittent diarrhoea and hypoalbuminemia, depression, anorexia and emaciation

Diagnosis

  • Usual symptoms indicative of twist or stoppage of the bowel are evinced.
  • Rectal examination. Reveals twist of the colon.
  • In front of the anus one feels the distended colon.
  • In torsion towards the right they run backwards and inwards
  • In torsion towards the left, backwards and outwards

Prognosis

  • Favourable to guarded

Treatment

  • Surgical technique
    • Explore the abdomen
    • Collect the specimen and isolate the involved intestine with laparotomy pads.
    • Manually detort the twisted colon.
    • Evaluate for viability and perforation.
    • Perform a resection and anastomosis if devitalised.
Last modified: Tuesday, 5 June 2012, 9:14 AM