Click the image to open the full-screen viewer.
3-year-old Female Spayed DSH
5.8 kg
Presenting complaint and brief history
The patient is vocalizing and has not defecated for several days. Bloodwork and urinalysis were normal. Had two enemas at the referral DVM before presenting to ER.
Diagnosis
Hides the diagnosis, imaging findings, outcome, take-home points and correlation photos so you can read the images blind.
Obstipation due to megacolon
Highly suspected
Imaging findings
- Markedly dilated large colon filled with fecoliths.
- The colon measures about 1.7 times the length of L5. Over 1.5 suggests megacolon, so this colon is markedly enlarged.
Key take-home points
- On a lateral projeciton, measure the widest part of the colon and compare it to the length of the L5 vertebra
- Less than about 1.3 times L5: normal
- About 1.3 to 1.5 times L5: full of stool, likely constipation
- More than 1.5 times L5: suggests megacolon
- One big measurement isn't enough. If the colon stays wide after it has been emptied, megacolon is much more likely.
Some fields on this case were drafted with AI assistance from the contributor's own report or dictation, then reviewed by the contributor and by a reviewer before publication. How we use AI.
Contributed by
- Luke Winter
BVMS · WAVES
4 cases - Oren Ofer
DVM, DVSc, DACVR
52 cases
Educational use only — not clinical advice.
Cite this case
Winter L. Obstipation due to megacolon. Radabase case 6b3dd387. Retrieved 2026-11-08 from https://www.radabase.vet/case/6b3dd387-0e54-4c47-b9a0-c4c317173823
Discussion
Questions and observations from colleagues. Never post identifying patient or owner information.
Loading…