Congenital duodenal stenotic diaphragm in the foal

A two-month-old female foal with duodenal stenosis is described. The foal was in poor condition and showed an abnormal stable behaviour. She stood preferably with her head stretched out and reposing on the mare's back or on the stable ridge. Salivation was an important symptom. Clinical and radiological examination of the oral cavity, the pharynx, and the oesophagus showed no abnormalities, except for the antiperistaltic wave along the oesophagus. Because of her bad condition the filly was euthanized. At post mortem examination, apart from leukoplakia, an erosive ulcerative inflammation was found in the oesophagus and the oesophageal part of the stomach. The stomach was severely dilated, as was the proximal part of the duodenum. A diaphragm in the duodenum with a small perforation was found nine cm distally from the pyloric canal.