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Obstructive enterolith in an 11-month-old miniature horse
J G Peloso1, R W Coatney, J P Caron
1Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1314.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|December 1, 1992
Summary
This study reports an obstructive enterolith in a young miniature horse, highlighting a rare case of colic in equines younger than four years old. The enterolith was composed of ammonium magnesium phosphate and contained a canvas cloth foreign body.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Equine Surgery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Enteroliths are calculus-like formations in the gastrointestinal tract of horses, typically occurring in older animals.
- Obstructive enteroliths are a significant cause of colic and require surgical intervention.
- The etiology and formation time of equine enteroliths remain incompletely understood.
Observation:
- An 11-month-old miniature horse presented with acute colic.
- Abdominal radiography identified a radiodense structure consistent with an enterolith.
- Exploratory laparotomy revealed an obstructive enterolith in the right dorsal colon, complicated by colic and intestinal rupture.
Findings:
- The enterolith was composed of ammonium magnesium phosphate and contained a canvas cloth foreign body.
- This case represents one of the youngest horses, at 11 months, diagnosed with a true obstructive enterolith.
- The presence of a foreign body suggests potential predisposing factors for enterolith formation in younger horses.
Implications:
- This case challenges the previously reported minimum age for true enteroliths in horses.
- Further investigation into foreign body ingestion and enterolithiasis in young horses is warranted.
- Understanding the factors contributing to enterolith formation may lead to preventative strategies in equine colic management.