title: Small intestine strangulation by components of the spermatic cord in two geldings.
abstract: Two adult Quarter Horse geldings were evaluated for signs of abdominal pain. Both horses had signs of depression and distended small intestines on abdominal palpation per rectum. Abdominal exploratory surgery was performed on both horses. In each instance, small intestine was found to be strangulated by components of the spermatic cord. Both horses were euthanatized because of a poor prognosis. Although not commonly observed, incarceration of intestine by components of the spermatic cord should be considered as a cause of small intestine strangulation in male horses. Early recognition of this condition would have increased these horses' chances of survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061-0442, USA.
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Moll
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Cheramie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D013085:Spermatic Cord