Volvulus of the colon in a Cat

Abstract

Summary We report the first case of colonic volvulus in a cat. A 12‐year old spayed, female domestic shorthair cat with chronic bowel disease presentated with one‐day history of lethargy and anorexia. Physical examination abnormalities included cachexia, poor perfusion, and poor skin turgor. A large, non painful, gas‐filled, tubular structure, occupying the majority of the abdominal cavity was noted by palpation. Abdominal radiographs revealed a gas‐filled displaced colon. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed a volvulus at the root of the colonic mysetery, along with a partial torsion of the distal colon. The majority of the colon was determined to be necrotic and was surgically resected. Due to persistent hypotension and perceived poor prognosis, the cat was euthanized.