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==Description==
==Description==
A faecolith is a hard discreet mass of insipissated faeces. It can cause obstruction in the small or large colon resulting in colic and reduced faecal output. The faecolith forms around an initial nidus of indigestible plant material or a small foreign body, such as thread, string or rubber. Obstruction due to faecoloiths usually occurs at the narrower portions of the gut, at the pelvic flexure, small colon and transverse colon. The severity of clinical signs depends on the degree of obstruction; the faecolith develops fairly rapidly in comparison to [[Enterolith - Horse|enteroliths]].
A '''faecolith''' is a hard discreet mass of insipissated faeces. It can cause obstruction in the small or large colon resulting in colic and reduced faecal output. The faecolith forms around an initial nidus of indigestible plant material or a small foreign body, such as thread, string or rubber. Obstruction due to faecoloiths usually occurs at the narrower portions of the gut, at the pelvic flexure, small colon and transverse colon. The severity of clinical signs depends on the degree of obstruction; the faecolith develops fairly rapidly in comparison to [[Enterolith - Horse|enteroliths]].
==Signalment==
==Signalment==
* Sings of colic
* Sings of colic
The clinical signs depend on whether the obstruction is partial or compplete. Complete obstructions will cause acute clinical signs due to the build up of gas and ingesta proximal to the obstruction. Faecoliths more commonly casue partial obstructions, signs are milder and often intermittent.
See '''[[:Category:Colic Diagnosis in the Horse|Colic Diagnosis in Horses]]'''
See '''[[:Category:Colic Diagnosis in the Horse|Colic Diagnosis in Horses]]'''
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Some faecoliths are small enough to be passed normally by the horse, in these cases clinical signs will resolve and the horse will return to normal. Management changes addressing feed and/or teeth should be implemented to prevent reoccurance.
For faecoliths causing significant clinical signs surgical removal is carried out under general anaesthesia. The faecolith is removed by a pelvic flexure enterotomy.
'''[[Colic, Medical Treatment|Medical Treatment of Colic in Horses]]'''
'''[[Colic, Medical Treatment|Medical Treatment of Colic in Horses]]'''