Colonic or ileocecocolic volvulus in 13 dogs (2005‐2016)

• Published in: Veterinary surgery Vol. 46; no. 6; pp. 851 - 859
• Main Authors: Plavec, Tanja, Rupp, Stefan, Kessler, Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2017
• Subjects: Animals; Appetite loss; Diagnosis; Diarrhea; Disorders; Distension; Dog Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Dog Diseases - pathology; Dog Diseases - surgery; Dogs; Female; Intestinal Volvulus - diagnostic imaging; Intestinal Volvulus - pathology; Intestinal Volvulus - surgery; Intestinal Volvulus - veterinary; Male; Medical records; Pain; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Reviews; Studies; Surgery; Vomiting
• ISSN: 0161-3499; 1532-950X
• DOI: 10.1111/vsu.12674

Objective To describe the clinical and clinicopathological features of colonic or ileocecocolic volvulus (CV/ICV) in dogs. Study design Retrospective case series. Animals Thirteen dogs with surgically confirmed CV/ICV. Methods Medical records were reviewed for signalment, medical history, clinical signs, laboratory data, radiographic findings, treatment, and outcome. Results All cases consisted of large‐breed dogs (median weight 37.1 kg, range, 22.7‐58.5 kg), 8 of these male (6 intact). The most common clinical signs included vomiting, depression, inappetence, and diarrhea with or without tenesmus. All cases presented in shock with abdominal distension, abdominal pain, or both. Dogs were treated for shock and operated immediately after a presumptive diagnosis was based on clinical and radiographic examinations. Three dogs were euthanatized during surgery, 10 dogs were discharged live from the hospital, 9 of these were alive at follow‐up 6 to 70 months (median 24 months) after surgery. Conclusion CV and ICV are rare disorders that seem to carry a better prognosis than mesenteric volvulus. Immediate laparotomy is recommended in suspected cases and the prognosis is fair.