Small colon stenosis secondary to ulcerative colitis in threeStandardbred foals

Abstract

Summary Three Standardbred foals, a colt approximately one month old and 2 fillies approximately 4.5 months old, from the same farm, presented to University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Centre over the course of 3 months for further evaluation due to acute onset of colic. All foals had a history of diarrhoea prior to presentation. On presentation, the foals had abdominal distension, dull demeanour and repeatedly lay down and rolled. Exploratory celiotomy revealed a segment of stenotic (lumen diameter 1–4 mm) small colon with marked distension of the colon proximal to the stenotic segment. Post mortem examination of the foals confirmed stenosis of the small colon with a segment of ulcerative colitis associated with the stenotic region. An aetiological agent was not identified.

The paradox of diarrhoeal disease and small colon obstruction

“…The authors effectively ruled out hereditary causes of colonic malformation, such as atresia coli, based on different breeding backgrounds for the foals, and questioned whether the diarrhoea was the cause or the result of stenosis (Kopper et al . ). Similar questions have arisen in the past regarding mature horses with diarrhoea associated with small colon impaction (Frederico et al .…”

“…In the present issue, Kopper et al . () describe a very unusual presentation of small colon obstruction in foals, in the form of stenosis preceded by diarrhoea. The authors effectively ruled out hereditary causes of colonic malformation, such as atresia coli, based on different breeding backgrounds for the foals, and questioned whether the diarrhoea was the cause or the result of stenosis (Kopper et al .…”

Reply to Dr Freeman: Keep your surgical options open

“…Nonetheless, these options should be accompanied by a realistic discussion about the prognosis for life and expected level of performance, as discussed by Kopper et al . (). In addition, Dr Freeman makes a good case for end‐to‐end anastomosis for a number of reasons in his letter, and these are evidence‐based principles that should be followed whenever possible.…”

“…I would therefore agree with Kopper et al . () that side‐to‐side anastomosis was a viable option to bypass stricture of the small colon.…”

“…As discussed by Kopper et al . (), side‐to‐side anastomosis of the small colon was considered to be an option to bypass strictured bowel. In a prior series of cases, Blikslager et al .…”