Changes

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

See colic diagnosis in horses

See colic diagnosis in horses

Firm mass in large colon but may underestimate extent of impaction because much of colon out of reach (83). Adjacent colon may be distended if impaction has resulted in complete obstruction. Impaction at other sites such as the transverse colon may not be palpable per rectum. ==Treatment=====Medical===See medical treatment of colic in horsesInitially intermittent abdominal pain controlled with analgesics: Flunixin meglumine 0.25-1.1mg/kg IV every 6-12 hours Butorphanol 0.05-0.1 mg/kg IV every 6-8 hours Xylazine 0.3-0.5mg/kg IV as needed Oral laxatives to soften the impaction: Liquid paraffin or mineral oil 2-4lites by nasogastric tube every 12 to 24 hours Anionic surfactant dioctyl sodium succinate (DSS) 6-12g/500kg diluted in 2-4litres of water by nasogastric tube every 12-24 hours Saline cathartics such as magnesium sulphate 0.1 mg/kg in 2-4litres by nasgastric tube may also be useful Prevent access to feed Aggressive oral and IV fluid therapy (2-4 times maintenance) if impactions persist(83) ===Surgical===If impaction remains unresolved, pain becomes uncontrollable, or extensive gas distension of the colon occurs, surgery is indicated. Abodominocentesis can be used to monitor the onset of intestinal compromise.(83) At surgery the contents of the colon are evacuated via a pelvic flexure enterotomy.  

Firm mass in large colon but may underestimate extent of impaction because much of colon out of reach (83). Adjacent colon may be distended if impaction has resulted in complete obstruction. Impaction at other sites such as the transverse colon may not be palpable per rectum.  

 

==Treatment==

===Medical===

See medical treatment of colic in horsesInitially intermittent abdominal pain controlled with analgesics: Flunixin meglumine 0.25-1.1mg/kg IV every 6-12 hours Butorphanol 0.05-0.1 mg/kg IV every 6-8 hours Xylazine 0.3-0.5mg/kg IV as needed Oral laxatives to soften the impaction: Liquid paraffin or mineral oil 2-4lites by nasogastric tube every 12 to 24 hours Anionic surfactant dioctyl sodium succinate (DSS) 6-12g/500kg diluted in 2-4litres of water by nasogastric tube every 12-24 hours Saline cathartics such as magnesium sulphate 0.1 mg/kg in 2-4litres by nasgastric tube may also be useful Prevent access to feed Aggressive oral and IV fluid therapy (2-4 times maintenance) if impactions persist(83)  

===Surgical===

If impaction remains unresolved, pain becomes uncontrollable, or extensive gas distension of the colon occurs, surgery is indicated. Abodominocentesis can be used to monitor the onset of intestinal compromise.(83) At surgery the contents of the colon are evacuated via a pelvic flexure enterotomy.

 

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

Good for impactions that resolve medically (95% long term survival in one study) and fair in horses that require surgical intervention (58% long-term survival in the same study) (84)  

Good for impactions that resolve medically (95% long term survival in one study) and fair in horses that require surgical intervention (58% long-term survival in the same study) (84)