A rare case of colonic diverticulum in a Bitch

Abstract BACKGROUND: Colonic diverticulum is one of the rare findings in dogs characterized by an out-pouching of mucosal and submucosal layers through the defect in muscularis layer of the colon. CASE DESCRIPTION: A five years old intact female Labrador was presented with an anamnesis of dyschezia and tenesmus. FINDINGS/TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Rectal examination was normal, and the survey radiograph showed an almost crescent shaped abnormal dilatation (10.52 cm × 6.21 cm) with gas and increased radiopaque material, dorsal to the urinary bladder and ventral to the descending colon suggesting fecal stasis. Ultrasonographic examination revealed gas-filled out-pouching with hyperechoic colon wall and acoustic shadowing. Exploratory celiotomy confirmed the diagnosis of colonic diverticulum, and diverticulectomy was performed. All four layers of the colonic wall were detected histopathologically in the biopsy sample and excluded neoplasia. The dog recovered uneventfully with no post-operative complications. CONCLUSION: This surgery produced an excellent resolution of clinical signs. To our knowledge, this is one of the few cases of colonic diverticulum reported in dogs.