Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Small Intestinal Strangulating Conditions
Summary
The small intestine is 50-70 feet long on average and about 2-3" diameter. The equine small intestine can twist upon itself, slip through holes in the mesentery (sheet of tissue that holds the intestine) and essentially find almost infinite ways to strangle itself.
There is a great variety of specific small intestinal strangulating lesions seen in horses, some more common in specific types and groups than others. Small intestine can twist on itself (volvulus), be trapped in a "rent" in the mesentery, find its way into the epiploic foramen, and through an umbilical hernia in a foal. Conditions that I felt deserved their own titles are strangulating pedunculated lipoma and Epiploic Foramen Entrapment (related diagnoses).
DIAGNOSIS: These conditions appear very similar to one another on veterinary examination. There is small intestinal distention on rectal exam and ultrasound, there is usually rapid worsening of the appearance and laboratory values of belly tap fluid (abdominocentesis).
TREATMENT: These are all emergency surgical cases and many require that a part of the affected intestine be removed.
There is a great variety of specific small intestinal strangulating lesions seen in horses, some more common in specific types and groups than others. Small intestine can twist on itself (volvulus), be trapped in a "rent" in the mesentery, find its way into the epiploic foramen, and through an umbilical hernia in a foal. Conditions that I felt deserved their own titles are strangulating pedunculated lipoma and Epiploic Foramen Entrapment (related diagnoses).
DIAGNOSIS: These conditions appear very similar to one another on veterinary examination. There is small intestinal distention on rectal exam and ultrasound, there is usually rapid worsening of the appearance and laboratory values of belly tap fluid (abdominocentesis).
TREATMENT: These are all emergency surgical cases and many require that a part of the affected intestine be removed.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
Very Common
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Prognosis is fair to poor. Prognosis depends upon the specific condition, and particularly how much intestine is damaged and needs to be removed surgically.There are many other factors which play a role in prognosis. These are some of the most difficult colic surgical cases. Horses tend to have a variety of short and long-term complications including laminitis and intestinal adhesions causing recurrent colic in the future.
Many questions cannot be answered until the abdomen is opened and examined. Prognosis also depends on the general health of the horse prior to and at surgery. High quality veterinary care prior to surgery, at surgery, and after surgery are all are critical to a good outcome.
my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Rare
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Related References:
Stewart S, Southwood LL, Aceto HW. Comparison of short- and long-term complications and survival following jejunojejunostomy, jejunoileostomy and jejunocaecostomy in 112 horses: 2005–2010. Equine Vet J 2014 46(3): 333-38.