Congenital duodenocolic fistula in a dog

Abstract

A one-year-old female cocker spaniel presented with a 6-month history of persistent diarrhoea. Abdominal ultrasonographic examination revealed mild diffuse thickening of the intestinal wall coupled with mesenteric lymphadenopathy. A connection between the duodenum and the colon was observed during an endoscopic procedure and confirmed by computed tomography. Surgical resection of the communication allowed remission of the diarrhoea. Histology showed a normal duodenal epithelium and muscular layer. A duodenocolic fistula is an abnormal connection within the digestive tract, which in humans is usually considered a complication of a local pathological condition. Due to the absence of a predisposing cause and, in view of the dog's age and histological results, a congenital origin was suspected.

Congenital Partial Colonic Agenesis in Dogs and Cats: Clinical, Biological, Diagnostic Imaging, Endoscopic and Histopathologic Characterization, a Retrospective Study

“…2023, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 20 young animals, the main etiologies are infectious (parasites), alimentary (food intolerance, fiber responsive colopathy) or breed-related (granulomatous colitis), according to Veterinary Medicine. Congenital colopathies are rare and mostly include fistula [3,4], atresia [5] or colon duplication [6]. The normal length of the colon varies between 60 to 75 cm in dogs (ranges 25-90) [7,8] and is approximately 30 cm in healthy cats (27-37 cm) [9].…”