Colic due to gastric outflow disorders in four adult horseshor

Here is a paper that presents four cases of colic due to delayed gastric emptying. The following abstract and conclusion presents causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
DrO

Gastrojejunostomy as a treatment for gastric outflow disorders in four adult horses
Aust Vet J. 2023 May 30. doi: 10.1111/avj.13249. Online ahead of print.
Authors
A Brabon 1 , R Labens 1 , A Ramachandran 2 , A J Dart 2 , B A Dowling 2 3
Affiliations

1 Faculty of Science, School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
2 Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University Veterinary Centre, Camden, The University of Sydney, Werombi Road, 2570, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
3 Townsville Veterinary Clinic, 22 Anne Street, Aitkenvale, Queensland, Australia.

PMID: 37253644
DOI: 10.1111/avj.13249

Abstract

Four adult horses with histories of moderate abdominal pain and inappetence were diagnosed with delayed gastric emptying and gastric impaction attributed to pyloroduodenal obstruction (three cases) or duodenitis (one case). A stapled side-to-side gastrojejunostomy was performed on all horses. Two horses returned to work and survived ≥3 years. One horse was euthanased 6 months post-surgery due to recurrent abdominal pain, and one was found dead 5 months postsurgery after an unattended foaling.
Keywords: ESGD; bypass; delayed gastric emptying; equine; surgery.

Conclusion
Adult horses with gastric outflow disorders may present with moderate, acute, intermittent or recurrent abdominal pain, inappetence and weight loss. Retention of gastric ingesta at gastroscopy, despite fasting, is suggestive of a gastric outflow disorder and may indicate pyloric pathology. Exploratory laparotomy or biopsy was useful to confirm the diagnosis of gastric outflow obstruction secondary to duodenal obstruction, inflammation and or pyloric masses in all horses in this series. Considering the available literature, prognosis for adult horses diagnosed with gastric outflow disorders due to pyloroduodenal lesions is poor. While the reported numbers are small, gastrojejunostomy appears a viable surgical option for adult horses with pyloroduodenal obstruction or gastric outflow disorders.