Colic - Intestine torsion in a horse: Case report

A seven year old female horse belongs to Sainik School, Kanigiri brought for necropsy to department of veterinary pathology college of veterinary science, Tirupati. At necropsy; subcutaneous tissue was icteric, epicardial and endocardial hemorrhages, consolidated lobes of lungs, nutmeg appearance of liver, difficulty in peeling of capsule of kidney and congestion of cortico-med- ullary junction were recorded. Twisting of the intestine at greater colon with engorgement of mesenteric blood vessels and severe congestion, hemorrhages on mesenteric mucosa was observed. Thickened mucosa of intestine with necrotic lesions was noted. Microscopically, abundant hemorrhages, severe congestion in sub mucosa, muscularis layer and microvilli were recorded. Villi were ruptured at several places. Mononuclear cell infiltration in the sub mucosa predominantly neutrophils, degeneration of the enterocytes, and desquamation and shortening of the villi were observed and resulted necrotic hemorrhagic enteritis. Finally death occurred due to torsion leads to septic shock.