Changes

==Description==

==Description==

Meconium impaction or retention is the most common cause of colic in the first 24 hours of life.  Meconium is mucilaginous material in the intestine of the term fetus containing a mixture of cellular debris, secretions of

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>

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>

==Signalment==

==Signalment==