Diet and large intestinal disease in dogs and cats.

Large intestinal disease, and more especially colitis, is a commonly seen problem in small animal practice. Although colitis is most frequently diagnosed in dogs, it is becoming increasing common in cats. The etiology of colitis is not known, but there is general agreement that an immune-mediated response to luminal antigen is involved. In particular, parasites, bacteria and dietary factors may be involved. In approximately 10% of dogs presented with typical signs of colitis, no pathologic lesion will be found on investigation. These dogs have a functional diarrhea associated with some stress factor and are thought to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This condition is most frequently observed in working dogs, although highly nervous and excitable dogs may also exhibit similar clinical signs. Until the underlying etiology of colitis is determined, treatment regimens will remain symptomatic. Recent studies have placed considerable importance on the value of diet in the prevention, immediate and long-term therapy of colitis in dogs and cats. In particular the value of "novel" protein diets, fermentable fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids is receiving the most attention. It is now possible to maintain patients in long-term remission and to modify the severity and chronicity of colitis by using diet alone. This paper will review the subject of dietary management of colitis and IBS and present results from the author's clinical research program.

[Displacement and resection of the ascending colon in the horse: a literature review on the basis of 2 cases]. / Liggingsveranderingen en resectie van het colon ascendens bij het paard: een literatuuroverzicht aan de hand van twee patienten.

A review of displacements and surgery of the large colon is given on the basis of two cases. A four-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare was referred, one week before foaling, for colic of twelve hours duration. At rectal palpation a large uterus was found, but no cause for the colic. Laparotomy revealed a colonic volvulus and resection of about 75% of the large colon was necessary. A dead foal was born five days postoperatively, but the mare recovered well. A nine year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion with a history of frequent colic had been treated for nephrosplenic entrapment three times. Resection of the left part of the colon was performed successfully to prevent another entrapment.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of functional obstruction of the right dorsal colon in a horse.

Functional obstruction of the right dorsal colon was found at surgery in a 6-year-old American Saddlebred gelding with a history of anorexia, depression, weight loss, and intermittent colic. Side-to-side anastomosis of the right dorsal colon to the small colon was done to bypass the obstruction. Histopathologic findings of the right dorsal colon and regional colonic lymph nodes were unremarkable. Surgical treatment was successful.

Colitis cystica superficialis: a report of a case in a Barbary ape (Macaca sylvana).

A case of colitis cystica superficialis is described in a Barbary ape. Early mucosal herniations through the muscularis mucosae were identified, suggesting a possible relationship between this condition and colitis cystica profunda.