Very 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
Right Dorsal Displacement of Large Colon
Summary
There are a handful of well recognized displacements of the large colon. This is one of the more common.
In this displacement, the large colon pelvic flexure and left dorsal colons, which normally reside in the rear left quadrant of the horse's abdomen, end up on the right side of the horse. This causes a kink in the flow of the colon, causing obstruction to the flow of ingesta.
There is usually a large impaction accompanying this displacement. It is in almost all cases, this is a problem that can only be resolved with colic surgery.
Some horses with these displacements may look quite bright for a long period of time, and only in mild pain. Unlike strangulating obstructions of the colon, the intestine is not badly damaged. The horse may respond well to flunixin and other pain relievers and give a false impression for a period of time that the problem has resolved.
In this displacement, the large colon pelvic flexure and left dorsal colons, which normally reside in the rear left quadrant of the horse's abdomen, end up on the right side of the horse. This causes a kink in the flow of the colon, causing obstruction to the flow of ingesta.
There is usually a large impaction accompanying this displacement. It is in almost all cases, this is a problem that can only be resolved with colic surgery.
Some horses with these displacements may look quite bright for a long period of time, and only in mild pain. Unlike strangulating obstructions of the colon, the intestine is not badly damaged. The horse may respond well to flunixin and other pain relievers and give a false impression for a period of time that the problem has resolved.
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.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis for this displacement is good when promptly corrected at surgery.Large bodied breeds like Warmbloods are probably predisposed to developing this condition. Post-foaling mares may also have a predisposition for this type of displacement.
my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
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Abdominal Pain, Colic Signs
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Intestinal, Gut Sounds with Stethoscope Less Than Normal
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Buckling, Crouching Behind
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Lying Down More Than Normal, or Getting Up & Down
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Bloated Belly, Distended Abdomen
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Not Eating, Loss of Appetite, Not Hungry
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Manure, Not Passing Enough
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Mare in Abdominal Pain (Colic), Soon after Foaling
Less Common
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- What is the likelihood of recurrence of this displacement?
- What management changes can I make to reduce the likelihood of recurrence?
Prevention
All of the factors that reduce the likelihood of colic and favor intestinal health reduce the likelihood of this displacement.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
Outside Resources
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Related References:
Ness SL, Bain FT, Zantingh AJ, et al., Ultrasonic visualization of colonic mesenteric vasculature as an indicator of large colon right dorsal displacement &/or 180 degree volvulus in horses. Can Vet J Apr 2012;53(4):378–82.