Noniatrogenic rectal tears in three horses

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Equine Health
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Rectal tears are a serious complication in horses, particularly those treated for colic.
• Determining the etiology of rectal tears is crucial for appropriate management and prevention.

Observation:

• Three horses presenting with colic developed rectal tears during treatment.
• One tear was linked to infarction, presumed to be from thromboembolism.
• Another tear had no clear external cause, leading to severe peritonitis.
• A third tear occurred during owner-performed rectal palpation prior to veterinary intervention.

Findings:

• Postmortem examination suggested thromboembolism as a potential cause or predisposing factor in two cases.
• The cause of the third tear remained undetermined due to severe peritonitis.
• None of the tears were deemed iatrogenic (medically caused) by the attending veterinarian.

Implications:

• Thromboembolism should be considered in the differential diagnosis for rectal tears in horses with colic.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking thromboembolism to rectal pathology.
• This highlights the importance of careful rectal examination and monitoring in horses with gastrointestinal distress.