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Introduction Small intestinal obstruction in rabbits is a common, potentially life-threatening condition. It is often associated with significant hypovolemic and obstructive shock, acid-base and electrolyte derangements, hyperglycemia, and
specificity and sensitivity for identification of obstructions. 4 , 5 The reported diagnostic sensitivity for an ultrasound to detect an intestinal obstruction is between 85% and 100%. 1 , 5 Ultrasonographic signs of a colonic obstruction include dilated
Intestinal obstruction in cattle is a life-threatening condition that can be classified into 3 categories. The first category is physical obstruction of the intestinal lumen with infarction of the affected segment. This category includes some of
Summary
The medical records of 17 horses that were evaluated and treated because of colic caused by pedunculated lipomas between 1983 and 1990 were reviewed. The mean age of the horses was 16.6 ± 3.9 years (range, 10 to 26 years), which was significantly greater than that of the population of horses evaluated because of colic (control population) during the same period. There were significantly more geldings (76.5%), compared with the control population.
Nasogastric reflux ranged from 1 to 16 L in 8 horses and was not obtained in 9 horses. Abdominal palpation per rectum revealed small intestinal distention in 13 horses, displaced large colon in 7 horses, and large colon impaction in 2 horses. Peritoneal fluid was abnormal in 11 of 12 horses from which it was obtained successfully.
One horse was euthanatized after unsuccessful medical treatment. Surgery was performed in 16 horses. Lipomas were blindly resected in 5 horses or exteriorized and resected in 6 horses. The method used to resect the lipoma was not recorded in 5 horses. The ileum and/or jejunum was strangulated in 15 horses, the small colon was strangulated in 1 horse, and the jejunum was obstructed in 1 horse. The length of intestine resected ranged from 0.15 to 7.2 m.
Fourteen horses survived surgery, of which 11 were discharged from the hospital (short-term survival rate of 78.6%). Excluding 2 horses lost to follow-up evaluation, 6 of 12 horses that survived surgery were alive 2 to 56 months following surgery (long-term survival rate of 50%), and 9 of 15 horses died or were euthanatized (fatality rate of 60%).
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION A 13-year-old female green iguana (Iguana iguana) was examined because of a 6-day history of vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy and a 4-day history of decreased fecal and urate output.
CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination revealed a distended abdomen, signs of depression, pallor, tachycardia, harsh lung sounds, and vomiting. Abdominal radiographs revealed gas distention of the stomach and small intestine with fluid lines evident on the lateral view. Plasma biochemical analysis indicated hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, hyperglycemia, and hyperuricemia.
TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Exploratory laparotomy confirmed a diagnosis of small intestinal entrapment and 170° volvulus involving approximately 80% (20 to 30 cm) of the small intestine. The portion of the small intestine extending from the middle portion of the duodenum to the caudal extent of the ileum was resected, and end-to-end anastomosis of the remaining small intestine was performed. The iguana recovered without apparent complications and was reportedly doing well 1 year after surgery.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings suggested that iguanas, as hindgut fermenters, may tolerate > 70% resection of the small intestine with a good outcome and no clinical evidence of residual gastrointestinal dysfunction.
clinical signs such as lethargy, inappetence, vomiting, a decrease in fecal output, and abdominal distention. 3,4 Intestinal obstruction can result from multiple causes including ingestion of foreign bodies, the development of intestinal adhesions
Mechanical intestinal obstruction, LFB, lymphocytic plasmacytic enteritis, and intestinal lymphosarcoma are important differential diagnoses for cats with acute or persistent vomiting. The diagnosis of intestinal obstruction is often made on the
are described as being predisposed to fecaliths. 2 , 5 , 6 Both medical and surgical treatment for fecalith intestinal obstructions have been described in the literature. 2 – 4 , 7 Medical management can consist of maintaining hydration, stimulation
survey radiographs from any of the 10 cats. In 3 cats, radiographs had been obtained following administration of barium. In all 3, contrast radiography confirmed the small intestinal obstruction suspected on the basis of survey radiography, but results of
