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Repeated rectal examinations are the cornerstone of colic diagnosis, as many large intestinal conditions can be definitively diagnosed by this method alone. It should be performed in every horse with abdominal pain, pyrexia of unknown origin,chronic diarrhea and weight loss. The rectal temperature must be taken prior to the examination. The amount and consistency of the feces in the rectum should be noted before the start of the examination. The process should be conducted in a consistent and systematic manner to avoid missing lesions. Care is required as there is a risk of irritation or rupture of the rectum during the examination. It is important to restrain the horse. This may be done in the stocks if they are available but horses of a good nature may be examined over the stable door with the use of hobbles or hay bales. The veterinarian should wear a plastic rectal glove with adequate lubrication before entering the rectum. The horse may strain and the veterinarian may feel peristaltic waves. It is important to be patient and not to use force to move the arm forward as this will increase the risk of a rectal tear. The feces must be evacuated from the rectum prior to the examination. If the horse continues to strain, lidocaine can be mixed with the lubricant to reduce th straining and provide analgesia. The examination should start with the pelvis structures and then move to the left cranial abdomen, proceeding clockwise.

Repeated rectal examinations are the cornerstone of colic diagnosis, as many large intestinal conditions can be definitively diagnosed by this method alone. It should be performed in every horse with abdominal pain, pyrexia of unknown origin,chronic diarrhea and weight loss. The rectal temperature must be taken prior to the examination. Rectal examination will not be possible in foals or very small ponies. Fractious horses should be sedated with Xylazine which provides short term analgesia and sedation.It is important to restrain the horse. This may be done in the stocks if they are available but horses of a good nature may be examined over the stable door with the use of hobbles or hay bales. The amount and consistency of the feces in the rectum should be noted before the start of the examination. The process should be conducted in a consistent and systematic manner to avoid missing lesions. Care is required as there is a risk of irritation or rupture of the rectum during the examination. It is important to restrain the horse. The veterinarian should wear a plastic rectal glove with adequate lubrication before entering the rectum. The horse may strain and the veterinarian may feel peristaltic waves. It is important to be patient and not to use force to move the arm forward as this will increase the risk of a rectal tear. The feces must be evacuated from the rectum prior to the examination. If the horse continues to strain, lidocaine can be mixed with the lubricant to reduce th straining and provide analgesia. Alternatively, a spasmolytic may be administered. The examination should start with the pelvis structures and then move to the left cranial abdomen, proceeding clockwise.

====Normal Intraabdominal Structures Palpable in the Horse====

====Normal Intraabdominal Structures Palpable in the Horse====

==References==

==References==

   

   

* Edwards B. (2009), Rectal Examination, Equine Gastroenterology courtesy of the University of Liverpool, pp 55-57

* Edwards B. (2009) Rectal Examination, Equine Gastroenterology courtesy of the University of Liverpool, pp 55-57

* Meuller E, Moore J. N (2008) Classification and Pathophysiology of Colic, Gastrointestinal Emergencies and Other Causes of Colic, in Equine Emergencies- Treatments and Procedures, 3rd Edition, Eds Orsini J. A, Divers T.J, Saunders Elsevier, pp 108-110

* Meuller E, Moore J. N (2008) Classification and Pathophysiology of Colic, Gastrointestinal Emergencies and Other Causes of Colic, in Equine Emergencies- Treatments and Procedures, 3rd Edition, Eds Orsini J. A, Divers T.J, Saunders Elsevier, pp 108-110

* Rose R.J, Hodgson D.R (2000) Examination of the Alimentary Tract, Alimentary Tract, Manual of Equine Practice, 2nd Edition, Saunders Elsevier, pp 274-283

* Rose R.J, Hodgson D.R (2000) Examination of the Alimentary Tract, Alimentary Tract, Manual of Equine Practice, 2nd Edition, Saunders Elsevier, pp 274-283