Intussusception - Horse

See Colic Diagnosis in Horses

Medical Treatment of Colic in Horses

Description

An intussusception is an invagination of a length of intestine (the intussusceptum) into an adjacent more distal segment (the intussuscipiens). The small intestine is the most common site for this to occur. Intussuception in the horse most commonly involves the ileum (ileo-caecal or ileo-ileal), with jejuno-jejunal intussusceptions being rarer.

Signalment

Horses less than three years of age are most commonly affected. There is no breed or sex predilection.

Clinical signs

Clinical signs are dependent on whether the obstruction is partial or complete. Complete obstructions are characterised by acute onset, severe abdominal pain. Partial obstructions are associated with more chronic clinical signs.

References

• McIlwraith, C. W., Turner, Robertson, J. T. (1998) McIlwraith & Turner's Equine Surgery: advanced techniques Wiley-Blackwell

• Radostits, O. M., Arundel, J. H., Gay, C. C. (2000) Veterinary Medicine: A textbook of the diseases of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses Elsevier Health Sciences

This is a condition in which one part of the intestine "telescopes" inside another. Usually this obstructs the blood flow to the inner part, and so forms a strangulating obstruction. Intussusception can occur within the small intestine, and also between small intestine and caecum (ileo-caecal intussusception). The latter is predisposed by Anoplocephala perfoliata tapeworm infection. When working up an acute abdominal case, it must be borne in mind that this form of colic is serious and necessitates surgery, however, peritoneal fluid changes will not usually be seen, as will often be found in a surgical colic. This is because the strangulated portion of gut (the inside of the "telescope"), is contained within an intact piece of intestine, so leaking fluid and protein is contained from the peritoneal cavity.