Question of the Day

Intussusception occurs when one segment of intestine (the intussusceptum) invaginates into the lumen of an adjacent segment of intestine (the intussuscipiens). Click here to see an intussusception in a dog.

Intussusception usually follows the normal direction of peristalsis with the intussusceptum (proximal bowel, closer to the mouth) telescoping into the more distal intussuscipiens (closer to the rectum).

Whipworm infection has been suggested as one cause of cecocolic intussusception in dogs, whereas tapeworms are implicated in cecocolic or ileocecal intussusception in horses. 

Click here to see an ACVS summary on Intussusception.

Necropsy image courtesy, Dr. Ricardo Corrales, copyright 2010.