More on the short colon

Congenital Partial Colonic Agenesis in Dogs and Cats: Clinical, Biological, Diagnostic Imaging, Endoscopic and Histopathologic Characterization, a Retrospective Study

Paul Remmel, Lucile Gros, Jérémy Mortier, Valérie Freiche.

Background
Congenital abnormalities of the colon in dogs and cats are rarely reported and mostly include fistulas, atresia, or colonic duplication. Partial colonic agenesis, characterized by a congenital reduction in colonic length, has been scarcely described. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze cases of partial colonic agenesis in dogs and cats, assessing clinical, biological, imaging, endoscopic, and histopathologic characteristics to improve recognition and diagnosis.

Methods
A retrospective review of medical records from a veterinary teaching hospital identified cases diagnosed with partial colonic agenesis between 2016 and 2022. Inclusion criteria required colon length measurements via contrast radiography, ultrasonography, or endoscopy, demonstrating at least a 15% reduction compared to published normal values. Clinical signs, laboratory findings, imaging characteristics, endoscopic features, and histopathological results were analyzed. Cases were classified into those with clinical signs since adoption (Group A) and those with later-onset signs (Group B).

Results
The study included 23 cases (17 cats, 6 dogs). Clinical presentation varied, with diarrhea (91%) and weight loss/failure to thrive (48%) being the most common signs. Diagnostic imaging identified colonic shortening in 14/17 cats via ultrasound, while detection was less reliable in dogs. Endoscopy confirmed reduced colonic length in 19/23 cases, and 12 cases exhibited concurrent colonic stenosis. Histopathology frequently revealed mild-to-moderate lymphoplasmacytic infiltration (19/20 cases), with fibrosis in six cases and neutrophilic inflammation in nine. In Group A, congenital agenesis was the likely primary cause of clinical signs, while in Group B, concurrent diseases (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, granulomatous colitis) contributed to clinical manifestations.

Limitations
The retrospective nature of the study limited control over data collection, and some cases lacked histological confirmation. The small sample size may not fully represent the spectrum of colonic agenesis severity. Additionally, not all animals underwent the same diagnostic tests, leading to variability in available data.

Conclusions
Partial colonic agenesis should be considered a differential diagnosis for chronic diarrhea in dogs and cats, especially when associated with colonic stenosis. Abdominal ultrasound is a useful initial screening tool, particularly in cats, while endoscopy provides definitive diagnosis and evaluation of associated lesions. Early recognition may help prevent complications such as stenosis, which could contribute to progressive clinical signs. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term prognosis and optimal management strategies for affected animals.

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