Small Colon

Small Colon


Impaction



Basic Information image



Definition


Physical obstruction of the small colon with feces



Synonym(s)


Fecal impaction



Epidemiology



Species, Age, Sex


Young horses and elderly (>15 years) horses are predisposed.



Genetics and Breed Predisposition




• Miniature horses, ponies


• Females predisposed



Risk Factors




• Ingestion of bedding or poor-quality hay, poor dentition, inadequate hydration, parasitic damage, or motility issues


• Inflammatory bowel disease



Contagion and Zoonosis


Salmonella-positive fecal cultures in 43% of surgically treated horses



Geography and Seasonality


Fall and winter



Associated Conditions and Disorders


Colitis, which may be a primary or secondary disease to the small colon impaction



Clinical Presentation



History, Chief Complaint




• Loose manure or diarrhea


• Decreased fecal output


• Colic


• Straining to defecate


• Tympany; gas distension


• Decreased appetite


• Lethargy



Physical Exam Findings




• Hyperthermic, normothermic, or hypothermic if severely compromised


• Mild to moderate tachycardia


• Depressed and lethargic


• Mucous membranes variable: May be pale pink and moist but progress to toxic with time


• Colic signs


• Decreased or absent borborygmi


• Abdominal distension, secondary ileus


• Absence of or scant loose feces


• Variable hydration



Etiology and Pathophysiology


Impaction with dehydrated feces that have not formed fecal balls



• Idiopathic


• Salmonella infection


• Poor dentition occasionally implicated



Diagnosis image



Differential Diagnosis




• Small colon nonstrangulating lesions (early stages)


image Small colon enterolith

image Small colon fecalith

image Small colon bezoar

image Small colon phytoconglobate

image Small colon foreign body

image Small colon neoplasia

• Small colon strangulating lesion (later stages)


image Small colon lipoma
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  1. Aggressive Stallion Behavior
  2. Aflatoxin Toxicosis
  3. Biliary Atresia
  4. Black Widow Spider Toxicosis

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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Small Colon

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