Cecocolic and cecocecal intussusception in horses: 30 cases (1976-1996)

Objective-To determine the prognosis in horses with cecocolic or cecocecal intussusception. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-30 horses with cecocolic intussusception or cecocecal intussuscepti on. Procedure-Information on history, physical examination findings, and labora tory values was summary rized from the medical records. Laboratory data inc luded results of hematologic examination, serum biochemical analysis, and p eritoneal fluid color, total nucleated cell count, and total protein concen tration. A one-year follow-up via the telephone was used to determine long- term survival. Results-Horses ranged from 7 months to 30 years old, but 63% were less than or equal to 3 years. Standardbred horses were significantly overrepresente d. Twenty-six horses had acute-to-subacute disease, and 4 had a chronic was ting disease. Cecal intussusceptions were suspected on the basis of finding a mass on abdominal palpation per rectum (14 of 24 horses) and positive ul trasonographic findings (2 of 3 horses). Thirteen horses with colic for > 1 day had scant, soft feces. Six horses died or were euthanatized without undergoing surgery, and 24 wer e treated surgically. Six of the latter horses were euthanatized during sur gery because of peritonitis, rupture of the cecum, and irreducible intussus ception. All 4 horses with a chronic disease were euthanatized because of i rreversible changes in the cecum. Of the 18 horses allowed to recover from surgery, 15 survived longterm. Surgical treatments were reduction, with or without partial typhlectomy (6 horses), partial typhlectomy through a colot omy and reduction (6), reduction through a colotomy and partial typhlectomy (3), partial typhlectomy for a cecocecal intussusception (1) and an ileoco lostomy (2). Clinical Implications-Cecal intussusception has a good prognosis with surgi cal correction without delay. Reduction through colotomy has a high success rate. Bypass by ileocolostomy should be used as a last resort.