Congenital duodenocolic fistula in a dog.

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.

Inguinal enterocutaneous fistula in a dog.

A two-year-old Jack Russell terrier presented with a chronic history of weight loss and the recent development of a discharging wound in the left inguinal region that was confirmed by ultrasound and contrast radiography to be an enterocutaneous fistula. One day following admission the dog displayed signs of abdominal pain and the general condition deteriorated. At exploratory coeliotomy there was evidence of septic peritonitis and a segment of jejunum was found firmly adhered to the left inguinal canal. The affected jejunal segment was excised and an end-to-end anastomosis performed. A penrose drain was placed in the inguinal wound which was subsequently managed with open drainage. The inguinal wound healed successfully by second intention and the dog returned to normal body condition. The left testis became atrophic and castration was performed several weeks later. To the authors' knowledge this is the first veterinary case report of an inguinal enterocutaneous fistula.

[Enterocutaneous fistula formation in a dog as a result of colonic foreign body perforation]. / Enterokutane Fistelbildung infolge Perforation des Kolons durch einen hölzernen Fremdkörper bei einem Hund.

A 5-year-old female Poodle was presented with a 3-month history of recurrent abscess and fistula formation on the right abdominal wall. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations demonstrated an enterocutaneous fistula formation secondary to foreign body perforation of the colon. Additionally, the diagnosis of a pyometra was made. Twenty-four hours after surgical therapy (ventral midline coeliotomy, foreign body removal, closure of the colon perforation, abdominal lavage and drainage, revision of the fistula) the patient was euthanized due to sepsis and incipient multiorgan dysfunction.

Perianal fistulas.

Perianal fistulas are a chronic, debilitating disease that requires lifelong monitoring and, potentially, lifelong treatment. Lesions are characterized by ulcerations with draining fistulous tracts around the anal region. Most dogs experience significant pain and discomfort with this condition. Bacterial infections are a frequent secondary problem. Definitive diagnosis is based on clinical signs, signalment, history, and a thorough examination. The most successful treatment is immunomodulatory therapy (cyclosporine with or without ketoconazole and topical tacrolimus). Perianal fistulas can be difficult to treat, frustrating both veterinarians and owners.

Endoscopically guided nasojejunal tube placement in dogs for short-term postduodenal feeding.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a method for endoscopically guided nasojejunal tube placement allowing short-term postduodenal feeding and chyme withdrawal in dogs. DESIGN: Pilot study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Three healthy Beagle dogs with jejunal nipple valve fistulas. INTERVENTIONS: After the dogs were anesthetized, an 8 Fr, 250-cm polyvinyl chloride catheter was advanced through a gastroscope into the jejunum. Correct jejunal placement was established using endoscopic visualization and confirmed by fluoroscopy and radiography. The proximal end of the tube was pulled out through 1 nostril and sutured to the skin of the forehead. Thereafter, jejunal feeding was administered for 4 days. Follow-up examinations included daily confirmation of the tube's position using radiography, physical examination, and blood analyses. Withdrawal of jejunal chyme was performed after jejunal and oral feeding. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Fluoroscopic examination confirmed that endoscopic visualization alone allowed correct jejunal placement. During a 4-day postduodenal feeding period, repeated radiographic examination revealed stable positioning of the tubes within the jejunum with minor cranial displacement. The tubes were functional throughout the study without causing identifiable problems. Repeated physical examinations and blood analysis showed no abnormalities. We were able to administer the daily caloric requirements as a liquid diet. Jejunal chyme was successfully withdrawn via the tube. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopically guided nasojejunal tube placement was shown to be a minimally invasive, well-tolerated method for short-term jejunal feeding in healthy dogs. This technique is a viable option for dogs requiring jejunal feeding but not laparotomy. The feasibility of chyme sampling is another unique application of the procedure.

Enterocutaneous fistula in a dog secondary to an intraperitoneal gauze foreign body.

A 6-year-old, spayed female German shepherd crossbreed had a 6-month history of a draining fistula in the left flank. Fistulography demonstrated an enterocutaneous fistula. Surgery revealed a granuloma that was enveloping the left ureter and caudal mesenteric artery and adhering to multiple loops of bowel. The granuloma centered on a gauze sponge inadvertently retained at time of ovariohysterectomy. Retained surgical foreign bodies can be avoided, and their frequency is likely underestimated. Risk factors identified in human medicine include emergency surgery, changes in surgical procedure, and obesity. A foreign body should be considered a potential cause of draining tracts in veterinary patients.

Blood biochemical characteristics, cecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acid composition in fistula implanted rats.

We raised an experimental rat implanted with a cecal fistula and investigated various characteristics of fistula-implanted rats. Male F344/N Sic rats at 14 weeks of age were divided into three groups, the fistula group (n = 5) which consisted of fistula-implanted rats, the sham group (n = 7) which consisted of sham-operated rats, and the control group (n = 7) which were not subjected to any surgical procedure. Four weeks after the fistula implantation surgery, we compared the blood biochemical indices, the microflora composition and the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration in cecal contents of fistula-implanted rats with those of sham-operated and control rats. The blood albumin concentration of the fistula group was significantly lower than that of the sham group and the control group, and the hematocrit value of the fistula group was significantly lower than that of the control group, but there were no significant differences in the SCFA concentration and the microflora composition among these three groups. In conclusion, it was considered that the fistula-implanted rats are useful for taking cecal contents and determining the microflora composition and the metabolites concentration at any time, without disturbing the physiological functions of the intestinal tract.

[Incarcerated umbilical hernia with enterocutaneous fistula in a calf]. / Hernia umbilicalis incarcerata met enterocutane fistel bij het kalf.

A 3-week-old heifer was referred to the clinic for a suspected fistula of the urachus. Clinical examination revealed the calf to be in moderate condition with an umbilical hernia and an enterocutaneous fistula. Although in calves the abomasum is usually involved in the fistula, it became clear at surgery that this calf had a fistula of the small intestine. The treatment and surgical technique used are discussed.

Rectal perforation, rectocutaneous fistula formation, and enterocutaneous fistula formation after pelvic trauma in a dog.

This report describes the management of rectal perforation, incision infection, implant failure, sepsis, osteonecrosis, and enterocutaneous fistula formation in a 3-year-old Yorkshire Terrier that was hit by a car. Rectal perforation from displaced pelvic fractures was suspected because of drainage from the incision, and clinical signs, and blood test results indicative of sepsis. Ilial and acetabular osteonecrosis from wound infection were treated with hemipelvectomy without pelvic limb amputation, and full limb function was regained. Primary repair of the rectal perforation and use of a muscle flap were unsuccessful, and a rectocutaneous fistula developed, but the rectum healed after colostomy for fecal diversion. An enterocutaneous fistula subsequently developed at the rectocutaneous fistula site, resulting in weight loss and continued drainage from the incision. Primary closure of the jejunal stoma, appropriate wound management, and nutritional support by enteral feeding resulted in eventual second-intention healing of the fistula and incision.

Enterocutaneous fistulae in horses: 18 cases (1964 to 1992).

Enterocutaneous fistulae are rare in horses and occur most commonly as a complication of umbilical hernias or their treatment. Horses with enterocutaneous fistulae may be successfully treated by en bloc resection of the body wall and intestine or by allowing second intention healing. Complications associated with surgical intervention include fever, colic, incisional problems, and recurrence of the fistula. Nonsurgical management of two horses with presumptive large colon fistulae resulted in resolution of the fistulae without complications.

Technique for long-term right dorsal colon fistulization in ponies.

Right dorsal colon fistulas, 2.5 cm in diameter, were created in 2 healthy ponies, using a 2-stage surgical procedure. The first stage consisted of resection of portions of the 16th and 17th ribs on the right side, followed by surgical creation of a 6- to 8-cm-diameter adhesion between the right dorsal colon and the body wall. Fistulas were created approximately 2 weeks after the first surgery by sharp dissection through the adhesion into the lumen of the colon. The fistulas have been satisfactorily maintained for > 2 years by de Pezzer catheters (45 F). Ponies with fistulas have been used for gastrointestinal experiments.

Hematochezia attributable to cranial mesenteric arterial aneurysm with connecting tracts to cecum and ileum in a horse.

A cranial mesenteric arterial aneurysm with fistulous tracts to the cecum and ileum was discovered in a Missouri Fox Trotter stallion. The principal clinical sign was hematochezia, observed at 7- and 10-day intervals. The lesion may have been attributable to arteritis caused by fourth-stage larvae of Strongylus vulgaris.

Effects of intake and postruminal casein infusion on performance and concentrations of hormones in plasma of lactating cows.

Four Holstein cows were utilized in a Latin square design with a factorial arrangement of treatments to examine the interaction between effects of dry matter intake (107 vs. 78% of energy requirements) and postruminal infusions (water vs. 395 g/d casein) on lactational performance, utilization of nitrogen and energy, and plasma concentrations of hormones. Yields of milk and milk protein were decreased by feed restriction and increased by casein infusion with no treatment interactions. Restricting feed intake decreased total nitrogen intake by 143 g/d and resulted in smaller quantities of fecal, absorbed, urinary, milk, and retained nitrogen compared with cows fed ad libitum. Casein infusion increased total nitrogen intake (55 g/d), absorbed nitrogen (54 g/d), urinary nitrogen excretion (28 g/d), and milk nitrogen (13 g/d). Casein by dry matter intake interactions were not significant for nitrogen utilization. Restricting feed intake increased plasma growth hormone and decreased concentrations of insulin and triiodothyronine. Glucagon, prolactin, and thyroxine were not affected by intake. Casein infusion did not affect growth hormone, insulin, prolactin, triiodothyronine, or thyroxine. Increased milk and milk protein yields obtained with casein infusion were apparently not mediated through changes in circulating concentrations of these hormones; however, plasma glucagon was increased by casein infusions.

Single umbilical artery and other congenital defects in a calf.

Single umbilical artery, a common anomaly of humans is often accompanied by caudal and other vascular defects. A literature search failed to reveal any cases reported in animals. Dissection of a neonatal Holstein bull calf disclosed the following congenital defects: single umbilical artery with anomalous origin, abnormal abdominal aorta, azygos continuation of the caudal vena cava, rectal atresia, rectourethral fistula, abnormally shaped urinary bladder, unilateral testicular agenesis, undescended testis, unilateral renal agenesis, bifid ureter, and hydroureter.

Chronic bile duct cannulation of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) without causing biliary fistulas.

Two surgical procedures were used for establishing chronic bile duct cannulations in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) while maintaining an intact enterohepatic circulation for use in metabolism studies. One procedure resulted in the formation of biliary fistulas in all of the animals, whereas the other procedure allowed successful maintenance of the macaques without fistulation for up to 8 months after surgery. The possible importance of pressure against bile outflow in the development of the fistulas was discussed.