• Colon rotates laterally on its long axis around the cecum, to become positioned to the right of the cecum between the cecum and body wall. Different forms and degrees of obstruction may occur.
• Cause: unknown.
• Signs: usually acute colic, sometimes mild and protracted course.
• Diagnosis: rectal examination, transabdominal ultrasound and exploratory laparotomy.
• Treatment: conservative medical management may be successful, surgical - repositioning of displaced large (ascending) colon.
• Prognosis: good if diagnosed and corrected promptly.

Presenting signs

• Acute colic Abdomen: pain - adult with abdominal distension Abdomen: distention.
• Varying degrees of obstruction may occur; most severe clinical signs seen if displacement is accompanied by torsion (strangulating obstruction) of the colon Colon: torsion.
• Occasionally protracted course with mild and recurrent bouts of colic if simple (non-strangulating) obstruction present Colon: impaction.

Acute presentation

• Acute colic with abdominal distension Abdomen: distention +/- gastric reflux. Progressive cardiovascular collapse and shock can occur, particularly if torsion and vascular alterations accompany the displacement.

Geographic incidence

• Worldwide.

Age predisposition

• Mature.

Gender predisposition

• None: large colon volvulus may accompany the displacement, in which case there is a predisposition for broodmares post-foaling.

Breed/Species predisposition

• Larger breeds, though all horses can have colon displacement.

Cost considerations

• Cost of immediate attention, medical management, surgery and post-operative care, and recurrence of the problem.

Special risks

• Anesthesia in patients is high risk if presented with severe cardiovascular shock.
• The stomach may be decompressed prior to induction by nasogastric intubation to avoid problems associated with gastric distension.
• Appropriate cardiovascular support prior to induction and during anesthesia.