Clinical approach of atresia coli in a calf

Atresia coli is a congenital defect with disruption of the intestinal flow. Its etiopathogenesis is still unknown and the prognosis is reserved. This paper describes the case of a one week old Holstein Friesian calf that was referred to the HCVC, and was diagnosed with atresia coli. This confirmation was made by contrast radiography and the lesion was detected in dorsal portion of the spiral colon. A cecostomy was performed followed by a marsupialization of the intestinal cecum to the abdominal wall. After 36 hours of surgery, calf’s state worsens dramatically and for reasons of welfare, it was proceeded to sacrifice. The post-operative recovery is possible, even though the mortality rate is high. As in this case, this mortality rate increases when early diagnosis of atresia coli does not take place and there is peritonitis.

La atresia coli es una malformación congénita con interrupción del tránsito intestinal. Su etiopatogenia es desconocida y su pronóstico es reservado. Se describe el caso de una ternera Holstein Friesian, de una semana de vida, tratada en el HCVC, que se diagnostica de atresia coli. La confirmación se realiza mediante radiografía de contraste y la lesión se detecta en la porción espiral del colon. Se decide intervenir quirúrgicamente y, debido al estado de la pared del colon, se realiza una cecostomía seguida de una marsupialización del ciego a la pared abdominal. Pasadas 36 horas de la cirugía, el estado de la ternera empeora de forma drástica y por razones de bienestar se procede al sacrificio humanitario. La recuperación post-operatoria es posible, aunque la tasa de mortalidad es elevada y, como ocurre en este caso, aumenta cuando el diagnóstico no es realizado de forma precoz y hay presencia de peritonitis.