Trauma-associated acute mesenteric ischemia in a dog

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a critical condition involving compromised blood supply to the intestines.
• While rare in humans, AMI can occur secondary to blunt abdominal trauma.
• This condition is exceptionally uncommon in veterinary medicine, particularly following trauma.

Observation:

• An 11-year-old male castrated Rough-Coated Collie presented with acute abdomen after vehicular trauma.
• Clinical signs included abdominal pain and radiographic evidence of distended, gas-filled intestinal loops with delayed transit.
• Surgical exploration revealed ischemic changes (dark purple to black discoloration) in the cecum and proximal colon, with absent mesenteric arterial pulses.

Findings:

• Surgical resection of the ischemic bowel (cecum and proximal two-thirds of the colon) was performed.
• An ileocolic anastomosis was successfully created.
• Histopathology confirmed acute mesenteric ischemia.

Implications:

• This case represents the first documented instance of trauma-associated AMI in a dog.
• Successful surgical intervention demonstrates that AMI secondary to blunt abdominal trauma is manageable in canine patients.
• This report expands the understanding of rare gastrointestinal emergencies in veterinary medicine and informs treatment strategies.