Successful Management of Congenital Colonic Atresia in a Holstein Calf by Colostomy Using a Right Flank Approach: A Case Report

Subject Areas : veterinary surgery

Amin Nikpasand ¹ , amin anoushepour ² , Mohammad Erfan Aghighi ³ , Mohammad Jomegi ⁴

1 - Department of clinical sciences, Karaj branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
2 - Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj – Iran
3 - Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj - Iran
4 - Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj – Iran

Received: 2025-07-07 Accepted : 2025-11-12 Published : 2025-11-14

Keywords: Colostomy, Calf, Colonic Atresia, Right Flank Approach,

Abstract :

Congenital colonic atresia is a rare gastrointestinal obstruction in neonatal calves, often presenting significant challenges in diagnosis and management. This case report details the successful management of a 4-day-old Holstein calf referred to the Large Animal Veterinary Hospital of Karaj Azad University (Rakhsh) after undergoing initial anoplasty surgery for anal atresia at another facility. Despite the correction of the anal defect, the calf presented with persistent symptoms, including anorexia, abdominal distension, and absence of fecal passage. A comprehensive clinical evaluation and sonographic imaging confirmed the presence of colonic atresia. To alleviate the obstruction and restore gastrointestinal function, a colostomy was performed via a right flank approach. The procedure involved exteriorizing the proximal blind end of the colon, decompressing the intestinal contents, and creating a stoma. Postoperative care included antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, fluid therapy, and multivitamin supplementation. The calf demonstrated significant improvement, resuming normal feeding behavior by Day 5 (one day post-surgery), with heavy fecal passage indicating the resolution of the obstruction

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