Changes

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

Usually made at surgery.  Although early rectal examination may permit identification of the impaction low in the right caudal abdominal quadrant, subsequent distention of the jejunum may make this identification difficult or impossible. The most common differential diagnosis is proximal jejunitis, and distinguishing the 2 conditions can often be difficult. Because the horse’s condition initially may remain stable and the degree of abdominal pain may be mild, many horses with this condition are not referred for intensive care or surgery for >18 hr. The protein concentration of the peritoneal fluid may increase if the impaction has persisted for this long. Rectal palpation may identify loops of distended small intestine as the condition progresses.

Early rectal examination may reveal the impaction low in the right caudal abdominal quadrant.  Subsequent distention of the jejunum will be palpable ''per rectum'' but may preclude palpation of the impaction, thus the definitive diagnosis is often made at surgery. Many horses with ileal impaction are delayed in their referral because initially their colic is mild and their condition deceptively stable. Abdominocentesis may show an elevated protein concentration if the impaction has persisted for more than about 18 hours.(Merck)  The most likely differential diagnosis is proximal jejunitis, which can be challengin to rule out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

==Treatment==

==Treatment==