Chronic nongranulomatous enteritis in seven horses

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Equine Gastroenterology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Chronic intestinal inflammation in horses can present diagnostic challenges.
• Recurrent abdominal pain is a common clinical sign requiring investigation.

Observation:

• Seven horses presented with chronic nongranulomatous intestinal inflammation identified during laparotomy.
• Clinical signs included recurrent episodes of abdominal pain in all affected horses.

Findings:

• Anti-inflammatory medications, including corticosteroidal and nonsteroidal agents, demonstrated efficacy in controlling clinical signs.
• Surgical resection of the affected intestinal segments provided an effective treatment option.
• Nonocclusive or transient mesenteric ischemia is hypothesized as a potential etiology for the observed intestinal lesions.

Implications:

• This study highlights effective medical and surgical management strategies for chronic equine intestinal inflammation.
• Understanding the potential role of mesenteric ischemia may guide future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
• Further research into the pathogenesis of equine intestinal ischemia is warranted.