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Also known as: '''''Fecalith'''''
==Description==
==Description==
A faecolith is a hard discreet mass of inssipated 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.
A '''faecolith''' is a hard discreet mass of inspissated 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 faecoliths 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==
Inappropriate '''diet''' and '''dental problems''' predispose to faecoliths. '''Miniature''' horses are most commonly affected. The condition can occur at any time of year, but is more prevalent in late autumn when the pasture is coarse and water intake is reduced due to cooler temperatures.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
===Clincal signs===
===Clinical signs===
* Reduced faceal output
* Reduced faecal output
* Abdominal pain
* Abdominal pain
*
* Sings of colic
The clinical signs depend on whether the obstruction is partial or complete. Complete obstructions will cause acute clinical signs due to the buildup of gas and ingesta proximal to the obstruction. Faecoliths more commonly cause partial obstructions; signs are milder and often intermittent.
Rectal palpation will detect faecoliths in some cases depending on their size and location. In other cases diagnosis will be made at surgery.
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 recurrence.
For faecoliths causing significant clinical signs surgical removal is carried out under general anaesthesia. The colonic contents and the faecolith are removed by a pelvic flexure enterotomy. If the faecolith is very large it may need to be broken down in situ before removal.
IV fluid therapy and appropriate analgesia should be administered as outlined in '''[[Colic, Medical Treatment|Medical Treatment of Colic in Horses]]'''.
'''[[Colic, Medical Treatment|Medical Treatment of Colic in Horses]]'''
{{Learning
|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=%28title%3A%28faecolith%29+OR+title%3A%28fecalith%29+OR+title%3A%28fecolith%29+OR+title%3A%28faecalith%29%29+AND+od%3A%28horses%29 Faecoliths in horses publications]
}}
==References==
==References==
* Bertone, J. (2006) '''Equine Geriactric Medicine and Surgery''', ''Elsevier''
* Bertone, J. (2006) '''Equine Geriatric Medicine and Surgery''', ''Elsevier''
* Knottenbelt, D.C, Pascoe, R.R. (2003) '''Colour atlas of Diseases and Disorders of the Horse''' ''Elsevier Health Sciences''
* Mair, T.S, Divers, T.J, Ducharme, N.G (2002) '''Manual of Equine Gastroenterology''', ''WB Saunders''.
* Mair, T.S, Divers, T.J, Ducharme, N.G (2002) '''Manual of Equine Gastroenterology''', ''WB Saunders''.
[[Category:Surgical Colic in the Horse]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_lizzyk]]
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[[Category:Surgical Colic in the Horse]][[Category:Medical Colic in the Horse]]
[[Category:Expert_Review]]
[[Category:Colic - Large Colon Causes]][[Category:Colic - Small Colon Causes]]