Penetration of the small intestine by an unusual foreign body resulting in colic in a horse: A case report

A nine-year-old Arabian gelding was evaluated for acute abdominal pain. Based on clinical signs and the results of the diagnostic work-up, surgical exploration of the abdominal cavity was performed. An adhesion was found involving a section of jejunum, its mesentery, and the omentum. Passage of gas and/or ingesta was obstructed at that point. On closer examination of the involved bowel, a porcupine quill which had perforated throught the intestinal wall from the lumen was identified. This was believed to have been the inciting cause for the formation of the adhesion and subsequent intestinal obstruction.     

Small intestine adenocarcinoma in conjunction with multiple adenomas causing acute colic in a horse.

An 11-year-old Andalusian stallion developed marked signs of colic associated with an acute small intestine obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a distal jejunum full-thickness wall induration and multiple small adherent intraluminal masses. Fifteen centimeters of jejunum, including the induration, and several intraluminal masses were resected. Histologic examination revealed an adenocarcinoma and multiple polypoid adenomas. The horse was discharged, and no complications were reported 12 months postoperatively. Colic was considered secondary to partial jejunal lumen obstruction by the adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma recurrence or transformation from remaining adenomas into an adenocarcinoma is still a major risk.     

Intestinal adenocarcinoma causing recurrent colic in the horse

An 8-year-old, Thoroughbred-cross mare presented with recurrent colic. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large mass near the right dorsal colon; white, raised foci on the liver; and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Cytological examination of biopsies revealed neoplastic cells. The diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was confirmed by histological examination.     

Congenital malformation of the large colon causing colic in a horse

An abnormal mesocolic attachment which resulted in a stellate malformation of the left colon adjacent to the pelvic flexure was suspected to be the cause of intermittent episodes of colic in a horse. Resection and side-to-side anastomosis of the large colon at the level of the sternal and diaphragmatic flexures was performed and the horse made an uneventful recovery from surgery. Only minor serum biochemical changes were observed in the initial postoperative period. The abnormal mesocolic attachment was probably a congenital anomaly.     

Bilateral ovarian adenocarcinoma in a mare causing haemoperitoneum and colic

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A 13-year-old Thoroughbred mare was presented with a history of mild colic over 3 days. This colic had acutely exacerbated and was unresponsive to analgesic treatment, and was referred to Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: On examination the heart rate was 100 beats per minute, and mucous membranes were pale and tacky. A large mass was detected on transrectal palpation in the caudal abdomen to the left of midline. Explorative laparotomy revealed severe haemoperitoneum and several masses that were associated with the reproductive tract. The mare was then subject to euthanasia. On post-mortem examination, adjacent and attached to each ovary were soft, lobulated dark red masses up to 200 mm in diameter. Similar masses were present in the omentum and on the peritoneal surface of the diaphragm and the serosa of the spleen and liver. Histopathology revealed that the neoplastic component of the masses comprised proliferating cuboidal to columnar cells forming disorganised acini and cords separated by dense collagenous stroma. Immunohistochemistry showed the neoplastic cells were positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and vimentin, but negative for cytokeratin 7 and inhibin α.

DIAGNOSIS: Bilateral ovarian adenocarcinoma with transcoelomic metastasis and terminal decompensation due to rupture of a neoplastic mass and consequent haemoperitoneum.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To the authors' knowledge, bilateral ovarian adenocarcinoma has not been previously reported in a horse. Ovarian adenocarcinoma should be considered when horses present with haemoperitoneum and colic. Further research is required on the immunohistochemical differentiation of adenocarcinoma of ovarian and intestinal origin in the horse.     

Sand colic in a mule: A case report

A 25-year-old mule was showing signs of colic. Clinical examination revealed acute pain, bilateral abdominal distention, stretching out and standing in this position. Rectal palpation revealed a hardened mass in the ventral region of the pelvic inlet. Surgical intervention was accomplished and faecaliths removed by colotomy. The mule died unexpectedly and postmortem examination revealed sand masses within the right ventral and right dorsal colon which caused obstruction of the intestinal tract in sternal and diaphragmatic flexures, respectively. This appears to be the first report of sand colic in a mule in Iran.     

Postpartum atony of the small and large intestine in a Holstein cow: a case of pseudo-obstruction

A four-year-old Holstein, 23 days postpartum, was presented with abdominal distention. Gas filled viscera were detected in the right paralumbar fossa and pelvic canal. Surgery revealed cecal and colonic distention and generalized intestinal atony. There was no other evidence of gross pathology. The condition deteriorated during five post-operative days. Gross postmortem findings were not remarkable; histopathology revealed ganglionitis of the cranial mesenteric ganglion and myenteric plexus. A brief review of relevant literature for a differential diagnosis and an etiology is discussed.     

A case of diet-related lymphocytic mural folliculitis in a cat

A 5-year-old cat developed a raised hair coat and adherent crusting lesions involving the skin of the head, dorsal neck and abdomen. Erosions were present on the lips and eyelids. The footpads were dry and scaly. Histopathology revealed infiltrative lymphocytic folliculitis, moderate lymphocytic infiltration into the epidermis and apoptotic epidermal cells. A restricted diet as the only therapy resulted in gradual resolution of the skin lesions. Despite an improvement in the dermatological condition, the cat increasingly lost all appetite and marked weight loss occurred. The cat died 4 months after presentation. Post-mortem revealed a perforated gastric ulcer and a mild to moderate inflammatory bowel disease. The clinical course of lesion resolution in this cat suggested a diet-related pathogenesis. The late finding of intestinal disease in a patient with diet-related skin disease is still interesting and needs to be evaluated by further case studies.     

Ganglioneuroma in the small intestine of a juvenile pig

A mass was located in the small intestine of a slaughtered 6-month-old male Landrace-cross pig that had no clinical abnormalities. This egg-shaped well-circumscribed mass was situated in the submucosal and muscular tissue layers and protruded into the lumen. Histopathologically, the tumor comprised discrete or aggregated ganglion and schwannian cells in neuropil-like tissue. Some ganglion cells contained Nissl substance in their cytoplasm. The ganglion cells stained positive for neuron-specific enolase, class III β-tubulin, neurofilament, and synaptophysin; the schwannian cells stained positive for vimentin, S-100 protein, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. The tumor was diagnosed as a ganglioneuroma in accordance with these findings. Here, we have reported detailed immunohistochemical findings in addition to the histopathological features of a swine ganglioneuroma.     

Exocrine pancreatic neoplasia in the cat: a case series

Eight cases of feline pancreatic adenocarcinoma and two cases of pancreatic adenoma were reviewed. The adenomas were incidental findings. Most cats with adenocarcinomas had anorexia (75%) and vomiting (63%), while 38% had abdominal pain, a palpable abdominal mass, and/or jaundice. Diagnostic abnormalities included leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, increased alanine aminotransferase activity, poor serosal detail on abdominal radiography, and an abdominal mass effect on ultrasonography. The majority of cats with carcinomas had metastases (mostly to liver, lung, and small intestine), and all were euthanized or died within 7 days of diagnosis. Clinically, feline pancreatic carcinoma may be difficult to distinguish from feline pancreatitis.     

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in equine colic: an immunohistochemical study of horses with obstructive disorders of the small and large intestines

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The gastrointestinal pacemaker cells, the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), have been implicated in several human gastrointestinal dysmotility syndromes. Recently, the involvement of these cells in equine gastrointestinal diseases has been investigated in cases of equine grass sickness where a significant reduction in ICC density was observed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate ICC density in equine obstructive gastrointestinal disorders using immunohistochemical labelling methods. METHODS: Intestinal samples were analysed from 44 horses undergoing exploratory surgery for colic and from 11 control animals subjected to euthanasia for conditions not related to the gastrointestinal tract. Immunohistochemical labelling of ICC was carried out using an anti-c-Kit antibody. Two independent observers assessed ICC density using a semiquantitative grading system. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in ICC density in horses with large colon disorders compared to the controls (P<0.01). Horses with strangulating lesions of the small intestine showed no difference when compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS: There was a reduction in ICC density in horses with large intestinal disorders. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The reduction in ICC density may be associated with the clinical findings as well as recurrent colic episodes observed in a number of these cases. This immunohistochemical study provides a basis for future functional electrophysiological investigations to determine the precise effect of ICC reduction on equine intestinal motility.     

Carbon monoxide toxicity: a case series

Objective: To describe diagnostics, therapy, and sequelae of acute carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity because of a motor vehicle generator in 4 dogs and 2 cats. Series summary: Four dogs and 2 cats presented for recumbency, disorientation, dyspnea, and stiffness after an estimated 6–8 hour exposure to exhaust from a generator. Diagnostics included a serum carboxyhemoglobin levels evaluation, arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry readings, and blood pressure measurements. Initial therapy included oxygen (O₂) administration, intravenous bronchodilators, fluids, and a hemoglobin‐based O₂ carrying (HBOC) molecule. Following administration of the HBOC, 4 of the 6 animals showed dramatic clinical improvement. Two weeks after hospital discharge, the owner reported potential hearing deficits in all animals. Brain auditory evoked response (BAER) tests were conducted in all surviving animals and some degree of hearing impairment was documented in all cases, with complete clinical resolution noted 6 weeks later. Unique information provided: This report describes the therapeutic use of an HBOC in acute isolated CO toxicity (i.e. without the complications of smoke inhalation). In addition, delayed nervous system dysfunction was documented in all surviving animals.