Small Colon
Intramural Hematoma
Basic Information 
Clinical Presentation
Physical Exam Findings
• Most horses are normothermic initially but may become hyperthermic or hypothermic with increasing duration.
• Most horses are mildly to markedly tachycardic.
• Mucous membranes normal initially but may become tacky with a prolonged capillary refill time.
• Horses may have abdominal distension and secondary ileus.
• The fecal output is decreased, and there may be hemorrhage or clotted blood on recently passed feces.
Etiology and Pathophysiology
• Hemorrhage within the wall of the small colon occludes the intestinal lumen. Hemorrhage may also track along the intestine wall.
• The vascular disturbance that caused the hemorrhage may be severe enough to cause ischemic necrosis of the small colon. This can lead to septic peritonitis, endotoxemia, and death.
• Histology to identify the underlying cause has been unrewarding.
