Volvulus of the cecum and large colon caused by multiple mesenteric defects in a horse

A 2-year-old Standardbred colt was examined because of signs of abdominal pain of 12 hours' duration. Clinical signs of disease, including tachycardia and abdominal distention, and rectal palpation findings of distention and thickening of the ventral colon, were consistent with displacement or early strangulation obstruction of the large colon. Surgical exploration revealed volvulus of the large colon around an axis formed by the dorsal mesenteric attachment of the transverse colon. The cecum could be completely exteriorized and lacked the cecocolic ligament and dorsal mesenteric attachments. The dorsal mesenteric attachments of the right ventral and dorsal colons were also lacking. The viscera were repositioned, and the horse was discharged 13 days after surgery. The horse developed severe colic 6 months later and was euthanatized. Mesenteric volvulus and omental adhesions were found at necropsy.