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

Abstract

Congenital diseases of the large intestine of dogs and cats have scarcely been reported and mostly include fistula, atresia or colonic duplication. Cases of partial colonic agenesis have rarely been described. The purpose of this study was to report a cohort of dogs and cats diagnosed with partial colonic agenesis. The colon was measured during colonoscopy or contrast-radiography and compared to the average length described in the literature. Six dogs and 17 cats were retrospectively included. Depending on the case, partial colonic agenesis could represent an incidental finding or the likeliest cause of clinical signs. Diarrhea was reported in most cases, and no specific clinical or biological abnormality was observed. Median age of presentation was variable and long asymptomatic periods were common. Abdominal ultrasound was useful and identified a short colon in 14/17 cats but only in one dog. Endoscopy was useful to confirm the diagnosis and to identify associated lesions and complications. Among others, colonic stenosis was reported in 8/9 cases that had lifelong clinical signs and the shortest colon length. This anatomical abnormality could promote chronic inflammation that might generate fibrosis and ultimately stenosis.

Short colon syndrome in cats

“…Short colon is sporadically described in veterinary medicine, with only small numbers of cases reported (21 cats, 7 dogs, and 1 foal). 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 This condition is characterized by a non‐iatrogenic reduction in colonic length, resulting in a straight course of the colon with a lack of apparent transverse and ascending segments. As a result, the ileocecocolic junction is identified within the left cranial abdomen.…”

“…Despite only rare reports in veterinary medicine, this condition is being identified with increasing frequency, likely because of the wider use of abdominal ultrasonography and CT. 5 , 6 Increasing awareness of this condition might also prompt closer investigation of the colon and location of the ileocecocolic junction by sonographers, allowing for an increased rate of diagnosis via ultrasonography.…”