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

Related posts:

  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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