Acquired jejunal pseudodiverticula in a yearling Arabian filly

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of multiple acquired jejunal pseudodiverticula managed successfully by resection and jejunojejunostomy.

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical report.

ANIMALS: Arabian filly.

METHODS: The filly was referred for signs of acute colic of several hours duration and had a 2-week history of inappetence and weight loss. Three meters of thickened, edematous, and dilated jejunum removed during exploratory celiotomy had an intussusception and numerous diverticula; jejunojejunostomy performed. The pathoanatomic diagnosis was proliferative enteropathy with pseudodiverticula formation and jejunal muscular hypertrophy and diverticulosis. The diverticula appeared to be acquired; however, the exact cause was not determined.

RESULTS: There were no postoperative gastrointestinal complications and 1 year later, the filly was doing well.

CONCLUSION: Multiple acquired jejunal pseudodiverticula not associated with classic muscular hypertrophy can occur in young horses. Long-term prognosis seemingly can be excellent after resection and jejunojejunostomy.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Compared with other reports of small intestinal diverticula in horses, this case is unique because it was not congenital or associated with classic muscular hypertrophy.