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===Clinical signs===
===Clinical signs===
Clinical signs are generally dependent on the site of impaction Horses affected by a pelvic flexure impaction often present with signs of mild abdominal pain and generally respond well to conservative treatment. Impaction of the transverse colon is often associated with more severe abdominal pain due to the build up of gas in the the colon proximal to the obstruction.
Clinical signs are generally dependent on the site of impaction. Horses affected by a pelvic flexure impaction often present with signs of mild abdominal pain and generally respond well to conservative treatment. Impaction of the transverse colon is often associated with more severe abdominal pain due to the build up of gas in the the colon proximal to the obstruction.
===Diagnosis===
===Diagnosis===
Affected horses may have a history of living in a sandy environment, grazing in dry weather or a reduction in water intake. Definitive diagnosis is made via rectal palpation or transrectal ultrasonography with identification of sand in the colon. An impaction may also be detected per rectum but in many cases the impacted segment of intestine may be out of reach. Transrectal ultrasonography may assist in identifying the presence of sand. Sand also may be seen in the faeces by mixing faecal material with water in a plastic rectal examination sleeve and allowing the sand to fall to the bottom.
Affected horses may have a history of living in a sandy environment, grazing in dry weather or a reduction in water intake. Definitive diagnosis is made via rectal palpation or transrectal ultrasonography with identification of sand in the colon. An impaction may also be detected per rectum but in many cases the impacted segment of intestine may be out of reach. Transrectal ultrasonography may assist in identifying the presence of sand. Sand also may be seen in the faeces by mixing faecal material with water in a plastic rectal examination sleeve and allowing the sand to fall to the bottom.
Abdominal radiography may be useful in assessing the volume and location of sand impactions in foals, minature horses and small ponies.
===Treatment===
===Treatment===
Bulk laxatives such as Psyllium are used to assist in the movement of sand. Psyllium is administered directly into the stomach via a nasogastric tube and the sand become incorporated into the laxative. This treament is continued for up to a week until all sand is fully removed from the colon.
===Prognosis===
===Prognosis===