Wickett, an elderly cat had had progressive constipation and was needing enemas every 2-3 weeks. We removed the lion’s share of his colon and he’s at home now recuperating. Early indications are good, those these surgeries do carry a significant perioperative mortality rate.
The colon is simply a water reabsorption and faecal storage system, so losing it doesn’t affect digestion and absorption. Saving the valve between the small and large intestines helps keep the faecal consistency manageable post-op.