Diagnosis and surgical management of colic in the foal: Literature review and a retrospective study

Ultrasound findings in 34 newborn foals with uroperitoneum

BACKGROUND

Uroperitoneum is a typical disease of the newborn foal, which occurs rarely but regularly. Ultrasonography is considered the most important imaging method for diagnosing this disease. Thus far, only one older case series comprising 31 foals suffering from uroperitoneum has systematically listed results of ultrasound examinations.

OBJECTIVE

This paper presents the findings of an ultrasonographic examination of 34 foals with uroperitoneum in order to inform future interpretation of ultrasonographic data in suspected uroperitoneum cases.

METHOD

Ultrasonographic data of 34 neonatal foals up to the age of 14 days diagnosed with uroperitoneum between 2006 and 2022 were analysed.

RESULTS

Most foals demonstrated highly increased levels of free (97%), anechogenic (91%) fluid in the abdomen. Although the urinary bladder was frequently visible (50%), bladder wall discontinuity was only occasionally detectable (18%).

CONCLUSION

Transabdominal ultrasonography has proved to be a very reliable imaging method for diagnosing suspected uroperitoneum. It is recommended that it be used in every case of suspected uroperitoneum in order to exclude differential diagnoses.

Neonates and Periparturient Mares: Tips and Tricks for Diagnosis and Management

Colic is a common presenting complaint in foals. Unfortunately, evaluation of foals with colic can be difficult due to the common clinical presentation of acute abdominal pain attributable to a wide variety of disorders and a broad range of etiologies. Similar to foals, colic is one of the most common diseases of pregnant and periparturient mares. Several conditions are unique or occur more commonly in broodmares. This article reviews the most commonly encountered types of colic events in neonatal foals and periparturient mares, how to correctly diagnose these conditions, as well as details concerning appropriate medical management and/or surgical intervention.

An atypical presentation of a mesenteric Meckel's diverticulum in a 7-year-old warmblood mare: case report

Background

Meckel’s diverticula are a rare cause of small intestinal strangulation, diagnosed at laparotomy or necropsy. This congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract originates from a remnant of the vitelline duct. In reported equine cases, they present as a full-thickness diverticulum on the antimesenteric border of the distal jejunum or proximal ileum.

Case presentation

On laparotomy a Meckel’s diverticulum positioned at the mesenteric side was found to be the cause of small intestinal strangulation. This position is very uncommon and to the best knowledge of the authors there is no unambiguous description of another case.

Conclusions

Meckel’s diverticula should be on the list of differential diagnoses in cases of small intestinal strangulation. As in humans, equine Meckel’s diverticula can have the standard antimesenteric as well as a more exceptional mesenteric location. This case adds to the series of anecdotal reports of anomalies with regard to Meckel’s diverticula in the horse.

Right dorsal displacement of the large colon as a cause of surgical colic in three foals in New Zealand

CASE HISTORY

Over a 3-year period between July 2008 and July 2011, 10 exploratory laparotomies were performed on foals in a Waikato referral facility in New Zealand.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

Right dorsal displacement of the large colon (RDDLC) was identified during four exploratory laparotomies in three foals that presented for mild-to-moderate colic that was non-responsive to medical management. One foal required a repeat laparotomy 7 weeks post initial surgery, and RDDLC was again diagnosed.

DIAGNOSIS

Right dorsal displacement of the large colon in foals.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Further investigation may identify risk factors or management practices contributing to this condition. This is an important and uncommonly reported cause of surgical colic in foals, that is also important to consider in non-responsive medical colic cases that do not appear to be associated with severe pain, but may still require prompt surgical intervention to avoid a strangulating obstruction. The incidence of the condition in one Waikato referral facility appears higher than what could be expected based on the current literature.