Congenital large intestinal hypoganglionosis in a domestic shorthair kitten.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INVESTIGATIONS: An 11-week-old female domestic shorthair kitten presented with a history of constipation since weaning. Abdominal distension was noted on physical examination and abdominal radiographs revealed a large volume of faeces in the descending and transverse colon. Colonoscopy was unremarkable and euthanasia was performed at the owners' request.


METHODS
The histological diagnosis of large intestinal hypoganglionosis was made post mortem.


CONCLUSIONS
This appears to be the first reported case of congenital hypoganglionosis in a kitten with histopathological confirmation of the diagnosis. It may potentially be a more common cause of constipation in kittens and young cats than has previously been suspected.
Roe
Kirsty A M
KA
Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK. kirsty.roe@willows.uk.net
Syme
Harriet M
HM
Brooks
Harriet W
HW
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002415:Cats; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal; D005260:Female; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000473:pathology*