Atresia coli in a 1-day-old cria

摘要

A 1-day-old female alpaca cria presented to Cornell University's Large Animal Internal Medicine service for abdominal pain. On presentation, the cria appeared septic with hyperemic mucous membranes and marked abdominal distention. Abdominal ultrasound showed distended, hypomotile loops of small intestine with increased anechoic free peritoneal fluid. Abdominal radiographs with a barium enema showed gas distended proximal colon and marked, segmental narrowing of the descending colon. Abdominal exploratory surgery revealed a meconium-filled blind end in the proximal loop of the ascending colon and a collapsed, empty spiral and descending colon, consistent with a diagnosis of atresia coli. The location of this cria's atresia coli differed in location from the more commonly reported atretic spiral colon lesions seen in calves and was associated with poor surgical prognosis. This species variation is an important consideration prior to surgery and may help inform surgical decisions for those faced with similar cases in the future.