Gastric impaction associated with displacement and volvulus of the large colon in seven mature horses |
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| Authors: | K F McGovern J M Suthers F M James B J O'Meara R A Parker A K Foote B M Bladon |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, Berkshire, UK;2. B and W Equine Hospital, Breadstone, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, UK;3. Bryan O'Meara Veterinary Consultancy, Hungerford, Berkshire, UK;4. Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, Hampshire, UK;5. Beaufort Cottage Laboratories, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK |
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| Abstract: | Gastric impaction associated with large colon volvulus (LCV) was identified in seven horses. Right dorsal displacement of the large colon and suspected nephrosplenic entrapment was identified in 2 of the 7 horses as well as LCV with concurrent gastric impaction. All horses underwent surgery for LCV and none survived. Five horses died or were subjected to euthanasia intraoperatively or in recovery. One horse was subjected to euthanasia post operatively due to persistent gastric reflux, following resolution of the gastric impaction. One horse was subjected to euthanasia post operatively due to a suspected gastric rupture, which was confirmed on post mortem examination. It is hypothesised that a large mass in the cranial abdomen, such as a gastric impaction may disrupt the normal anatomical large colon alignment or may cause colonic motility or microbiota alterations, and thus increase the risk of large colon displacement and volvulus. |
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| Keywords: | horse gastric impaction volvulus motility |
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