Caecal duplication in a 13‐year‐old Thoroughbred

A 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was presented for evaluation of recurrent colic of 4 weeks duration. These colic episodes were mild and responsive to medical therapy. Episodes of colic became more frequent and more painful. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large intestine duplication with a cystic structure located at the caecocolic junction that was unable to be exteriorized and therefore not amenable to surgical correction. Thirty-six hours following surgery, the horse became acutely painful, sweaty, and febrile suggesting gastrointestinal rupture. Post mortem examination showed a 0.6 x 1 m duplication and a 0.5 x 0.6 m cystic dilation that was probably associated with the caecum. There was a 10 x 30 cm area of rupture located within the duplication. Histological evaluation confirmed the presence of a true duplication.