Changes

* Bladder

* Bladder

* Female reproductive tract

* Female reproductive tract

* Inguinal Rings

* Inguinal canals of the stallion

* Caudal border of the spleen

* Caudal border of the spleen

* Nephrosplenic ligament

* Nephrosplenic ligament

* Pelvic flexure

* Pelvic flexure

The small intestine is not palpable except for the ileum in some horses or unless there is an abnormality. When examining the organs per rectum, it is important that the veterinarian notes the position, size, consistency, mobility, distension due to gas or ingesta, evidence of edema and tight mesenteric bands.

Staring in the pelvic region, the inguinal canals of the stallion can be palpated both sides of the pelvic opening, at the level of the pelvic brim. A full bladder can obscure the examination and so encouraging the horse to urinate or catheterisation can be beneficial. The veterinarians arm is carefully moved forward to the left dorsal quadrant and is able to palpate the caudal border of the spleen, left kidney and the nephrosplenic ligament connecting them. Moving over to the dorsal midline, the pulsing aorta can felt attached to the dorsal body wall, below the spine. The mesenteric root runs dorsoventrally down the midline of the abdomen. The base of the caecum can be palpated in the right dorsal quadrant. The caecum is normally not full and so the veterinarian should also be able to palpate relaxed cacal taenia running dorsoventrally. The pelvic flexure can be palpated ventrally at the level of the pelic brim,to the left of the midline. The small intestine is not palpable except for the ileum in some horses or unless there is an abnormality. When examining the organs per rectum, it is important that the veterinarian notes the position, size, consistency, mobility, distension due to gas or ingesta, evidence of edema and tight mesenteric bands.