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


RESULTS
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.


METHODS
Right dorsal displacement of the large colon in foals.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
University of Melbourne, Equine Centre, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria, 3030, Australia. simonhennessy@hotmail.com
S E
SE
Hennessy
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BS
Fraser
D000818:Animals; D003085:Colic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology