Small intestinal pseudodiverticulosis in a pony mare

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Equine Surgery
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Colic, weight loss, and abdominal masses are common presenting complaints in horses.
• Intestinal pseudodiverticula are rare outpouchings of the intestinal wall, often associated with inflammation and infection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of equine pseudodiverticula in a pony mare.
• To highlight the diagnostic features and histopathological findings of this condition.

Main Methods:

• Clinical case presentation with physical examination, transabdominal ultrasonography, and abdominocentesis.
• Necropsy and histopathological examination of the affected intestinal segments.

Main Results:

• A 14-year-old pony mare presented with signs of chronic illness, including intermittent fever, anorexia, weight loss, and abnormal manure.
• Ultrasonography revealed multiple thickened small intestinal loops and hyperechoic masses, with abdominal fluid accumulation.
• Necropsy confirmed a large abdominal abscess and approximately 50 pseudodiverticula arising from the small intestine, lacking the muscularis layer.

Conclusions:

• Equine intestinal pseudodiverticula should be considered in the differential diagnosis for horses presenting with colic, diarrhea, or weight loss, especially when abdominal masses are detected.
• Diagnostic imaging, particularly ultrasonography, and histopathology are essential for identifying pseudodiverticula and differentiating them from other causes of abdominal masses in horses.