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Also known as: '''''Meconium Retention — Colic in foals — Impaction — Simple Obstruction — Rectal Obstruction — Large Intestinal Simple Obstruction — Small Colon Impaction — Descending Colon Impaction
Also known as: '''''Meconium Retention — Colic in foals — Impaction — Simple Obstruction — Rectal Obstruction — Large Intestinal Simple Obstruction — Small Colon Impaction — Descending Colon Impaction
=introduction==
==Introduction==
Meconium impaction or retention is the most common cause of colic in the first 24 hours of life and the most common cause of rectal obstruction in foals.<ref>White, N.A, Lessard, P (1986) Risk factors and clinical signs associated with cases of equine colic. ''Proc Am Ass Equine Practnrs'', 32:637-644. In: Pusterla, N, Magdesian, K.G, Maleski, K, Spier, S.J, Madigan, J.E (2004) ''Special Article'': Retrospective evaluation of the use of acetylcysteine enemas in the treatment of meconium retention in foals: 44 cases (1987–2002). ''Equine Vet Educ'', 16(3):133-136.</ref>Meconium is mucilaginous material in the intestine of the term fetus containing a mixture of cellular debris, secretions of the intestinal glands, bile and swallowed amniotic fluid.<ref name="Pusterla">Pusterla, N, Magdesian, K.G, Maleski, K, Spier, S.J, Madigan, J.E (2004) ''Special Article'': Retrospective evaluation of the use of acetylcysteine enemas in the treatment of meconium retention in foals: 44 cases (1987–2002). ''Equine Vet Educ'', 16(3):133-136.</ref> It is dark brown to black and cement- or pellet-like in texture. Most foals defaecate shortly after their first meal, with meconium being evacuated from 3 hours after birth.<ref name="Pusterla">Pusterla, N, Magdesian, K.G, Maleski, K, Spier, S.J, Madigan, J.E (2004) ''Special Article'': Retrospective evaluation of the use of acetylcysteine enemas in the treatment of meconium retention in foals: 44 cases (1987–2002). ''Equine Vet Educ'', 16(3):133-136.</ref> Once meconium has been passed, the faeces become a dark yellow, reflecting milk digestion. Retention is suspected if the foal makes frequent attempts but fails to produce meconium by 12 hours.<ref name="Pusterla">Pusterla, N, Magdesian, K.G, Maleski, K, Spier, S.J, Madigan, J.E (2004) ''Special Article'': Retrospective evaluation of the use of acetylcysteine enemas in the treatment of meconium retention in foals: 44 cases (1987–2002). ''Equine Vet Educ'', 16(3):133-136.</ref>
Meconium impaction or retention is the most common cause of colic in the first 24 hours of life and the most common cause of rectal obstruction in foals.<ref>White, N.A, Lessard, P (1986) Risk factors and clinical signs associated with cases of equine colic. ''Proc Am Ass Equine Practnrs'', 32:637-644. In: Pusterla, N, Magdesian, K.G, Maleski, K, Spier, S.J, Madigan, J.E (2004) ''Special Article'': Retrospective evaluation of the use of acetylcysteine enemas in the treatment of meconium retention in foals: 44 cases (1987–2002). ''Equine Vet Educ'', 16(3):133-136.</ref>Meconium is mucilaginous material in the intestine of the term fetus containing a mixture of cellular debris, secretions of the intestinal glands, bile and swallowed amniotic fluid.<ref name="Pusterla">Pusterla, N, Magdesian, K.G, Maleski, K, Spier, S.J, Madigan, J.E (2004) ''Special Article'': Retrospective evaluation of the use of acetylcysteine enemas in the treatment of meconium retention in foals: 44 cases (1987–2002). ''Equine Vet Educ'', 16(3):133-136.</ref> It is dark brown to black and cement- or pellet-like in texture. Most foals defaecate shortly after their first meal, with meconium being evacuated from 3 hours after birth.<ref name="Pusterla">Pusterla, N, Magdesian, K.G, Maleski, K, Spier, S.J, Madigan, J.E (2004) ''Special Article'': Retrospective evaluation of the use of acetylcysteine enemas in the treatment of meconium retention in foals: 44 cases (1987–2002). ''Equine Vet Educ'', 16(3):133-136.</ref> Once meconium has been passed, the faeces become a dark yellow, reflecting milk digestion. Retention is suspected if the foal makes frequent attempts but fails to produce meconium by 12 hours.<ref name="Pusterla">Pusterla, N, Magdesian, K.G, Maleski, K, Spier, S.J, Madigan, J.E (2004) ''Special Article'': Retrospective evaluation of the use of acetylcysteine enemas in the treatment of meconium retention in foals: 44 cases (1987–2002). ''Equine Vet Educ'', 16(3):133-136.</ref>
*Impending enteritis
*Impending enteritis
*Obstructive gastrointestinal lesions
*Obstructive gastrointestinal lesions
**[[Small Intestine Intussusception - Horse|Small intestinal intussusception]]
**[[Intussusception - Horse|Small intestinal intussusception]]
**Torsion
**Torsion
**[[Atresia|''Atresia coli'']]
**[[Atresia|''Atresia coli'']]
Foals with meconium retention may be at risk of '''sepsis''' because bacterial translocation may occur across the disrupted intestinal mucosa. Blood cultures are thus advisable and foals should be monitored closely for clinical signs of sepsis. Continuous straining may lead to '''patent urachus'''.
Foals with meconium retention may be at risk of '''sepsis''' because bacterial translocation may occur across the disrupted intestinal mucosa. Blood cultures are thus advisable and foals should be monitored closely for clinical signs of sepsis. Continuous straining may lead to '''patent urachus'''.
{{Learning
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}}
[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=meconium&occuring1=title&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=horses&occuring2=od&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&x=55&y=15&publishedstart=yyyy&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all Meconium impaction in horses publications]
==References==
==References==
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<references/>
{{review}}
{{OpenPages}}
[[Category:Medical_Colic_in_the_Horse]]
[[Category:Medical_Colic_in_the_Horse]]