Idiopathic focal eosinophilic enteritis associated with small intestinal obstruction in 6 horses

Objective-To report the history, clinical findings, and outcome of horses w ith idiopathic focal eosinophilic enteritis associated with acute small int estinal obstruction. Study Design-Retrospective study. Animals-Six horses with idiopathic focal eosinophilic enteritis. Methods-Retrospective review of medical records of horses with idiopathic f ocal eosinophilic enteritis, with acute abdominal pain and small intestinal obstruction, associated with a focal region of eosinophilic enteritis of u nknown cause. Information retrieved from the medical records included signa lment, physical examination, laboratory findings, surgical procedure, histo logic diagnosis, and postoperative management. Outcome was determined by te lephone communication with owners. Results-Six horses met the selection criteria. Horses had persistent pain, distended small intestine, and nasogastric reflux. Idiopathic focal eosinop hilic enteritis lesions associated with a small intestinal obstruction were treated surgically by intestinal resection and anastomosis or wedge resect ion. There were no observed complications associated with extension of the disease from the lesion site. Five horses were alive at follow-up 5 to 60 m onths after surgery. Conclusions-Although the cause of these focal eosinophilic enteritis lesion s is unknown, the long-term outcome after lesion resection was favorable. Clinical Relevance-Small intestinal obstruction associated with a focal eos inophilic enteritis lesion may be a cause of acute abdominal pain in horses . Horses apparently have a good prognosis after lesion resection. (C) Copyr ight 2000 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.