Atresia coli in a nine‐week‐old kitten

Abstract

A case of blind‐end atresia coli in a kitten surviving for 66 days is presented. Human cases of intestinal atresia are often attributed to injuries sustained in utero to a previously normal fetus. Neither clinical nor autopsy findings gave conclusive evidence regarding the aetiology of the condition in the kitten; the only sibling affected from a litter of five. The case is interesting because the kitten survived nine weeks without any clinical signs other than abdominal distension.

Type III colonic atresia in a 6-week-old kitten

“… 7 These data suggest clinical signs associated with colonic atresia are usually present and severe in the first few days of life. This is contrary to the 6-week-old kitten described in this report and additional case reports of necropsy-diagnosed colonic atresia in a 9-week-old kitten 12 and a 7-week-old puppy. 11 In these postneonatal cases, the most profound clinical sign was abdominal distension.…”

“…1,2,4,[8][9][10] Cases generally present for abdominal distension and lack of defecation within 10 days of birth, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] though case reports describe colonic atresia diagnosed at necropsy in a 52-day-old puppy 11 and 66-day-old kitten. 12 Antemortem diagnosis, surgical repair of colonic atresia and outcome in companion animal medicine have not been reported to our knowledge and are described here in a 6-week-old kitten.…”

Surgical Management of Constipation

“…Improper rectal wall support following perineal herniation may also result in rectal obstruction with subsequent development of megacolon. Other more unusual causes of outlet obstruction include intestinal foreign bodies, improper diet, and anal, rectal or colonic atresia (van den Broek et al 1988, Bertoy 1993, Matthiesen & Marretta 1993, Bredal et al 1994). Outlet obstruction will initially result in the development of a hypertrophic megacolon (Washabau & Holt 1999).…”