Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Impactions of the small and large intestines.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Plummer, Amy E
- Affiliation:
- The University of Tennessee · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Impactions in the intestines can cause colic, which is a type of stomach pain, in horses. An impaction happens when food and waste become dry and block a part of the digestive system, often in areas where the intestines are narrower. While we don't fully understand why these blockages happen, certain factors can increase the risk. Treatment usually involves stopping food until the blockage clears, giving fluids to help rehydrate the material, and using pain relief if needed. In serious cases, surgery might be required to fix the problem. Overall, the article covers the signs, diagnosis, treatment options, and outlook for horses with these intestinal impactions.
Abstract
Impactions of the small and large intestines are frequently diagnosed as the cause of colic in horses. An impaction is an accumulation of dehydrated ingesta in a portion of the digestive tract, typically at sites where the intestinal diameter decreases. The specific pathogenesis for impactions is not fully understood, although risk factors have been identified for several types of impactions. Treatment for impactions includes withholding feed until the impaction passes, rehydrating the ingesta, and, if necessary, administering analgesic agents. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve the impaction. This article discusses clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment (both drug and surgical options), and prognosis for impactions of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and small and large colons in horses.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19580942/