Use of colostomy to manage rectal disease in dogs

Objective-The purpose of this study was to develop a diverting colostomy technique for use in dogs. Study Design-Clinical case series. Animals-Five client-owned dogs presented for diseases requiring diverting colostomy during treatment. Methods-Diverting colostomy was performed in five dogs. A ventral approach was used in the first dog and the colon was exteriorized adjacent to the linea alba. The technique used in the next four dogs involved creation of a left flank rod-supported loop colostomy in which the colon was exteriorized through a muscle-separating flank approach to the abdomen. Results-Peritoneal leakage of fecal material resulted in the perioperative death of the first dog. The flank colostomies were maintained for times ranging from 3.5 weeks to 7 months. No major complications were observed, but skin excoriation occurred occasionally around the stoma sites in all dogs. Conclusion-Diverting colostomy is a technique that is suitable for use in treatment of dogs with obstruction or leakage involving the distal colon or rectum. (C) Copyright 1997 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.