STUD NOTES

ATRESIA COLI

You’d have to dig deep to read about it - this is a very uncommon occurrence but we had a case this foaling season.
Normally the anus and anal cavity is connected to the intestinal tract. Atresia coli is when there is no such connection. The cavity will have a small section of intestine that ends blindly and forms a pouch. Of course this means the other end is pretty much swinging around in limbo in the abdominal cavity also with a pouch end. Quite often there will be a large section of intestine that is just “missing” as part of the problem. Generally surgical correction has very poor prognosis, and quite often impossible.

The worst part about this story is the foal in question was owned by new people in the industry, doing the right thing and having their mare professionally foaled down. It is my belief this was their first foal.

Usually this problem is picked up as a result of colic signs developing in the foal and not being able to confirm the passing of any meconium pellets. In this case it was a little different. Early whilst doing post foaling inspections on another mare and foal, I checked in on this little guy at who was about 5 hours old. As there was no visual evidence that any meconium had passed I checked the meconium his status by manual digital insertion - with a glove on of course. Firstly I noticed that I could not feel any meconium at all and secondly there was absolutely no stain on the glove - there is always some sign of stain. This got me curious and I was wondering if what I was thinking it was a possibility after not seeing it for it for 14 years. By gently inserting a tube used for retention enema into the foal’s rectum, I found I could not go any further than about 15cm. Yep, it sure looked like Atresia coli.

Dr Ian Douglas was called out to confirm this finding. Using the endoscopic scope, confirmation was easy and definitive. This was the 3rd case we had seen in 25 years on this farm.

Atresia ani
Also very rare, Atresia Ani is when there is no external opening. Not good.