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| | ==Diagnosis== | | ==Diagnosis== |
| | ===Clinical Signs=== | | ===Clinical Signs=== |
| − | Clinical sigs are of simple small intestine obstruction. There will be additional signs of parasite infestation is cases associated with ascarid and tapeworm infection. | + | Clinical sigs are of simple small intestine obstruction. There will be additional signs of parasite infestation in cases associated with ascarid and tapeworm infection. |
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| | The severity and speed on onset of clinical signs is determined by the level of the obstruction. Proximal obstructions will progress more rapidly than distal ones. | | The severity and speed on onset of clinical signs is determined by the level of the obstruction. Proximal obstructions will progress more rapidly than distal ones. |
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| − | Passage of a stomach tube will produce nasogastric reflux depending on the site of obstruction and its duration; for a proximal obstruction fluid will build up in the stomach after approximately 3-6 hours, and for a distal obstruction, after 12 hours. | + | '''Passage of a stomach tube''' will produce nasogastric reflux depending on the site of obstruction and its duration; for a proximal obstruction fluid will build up in the stomach after approximately 3-6 hours, and for a distal obstruction, after 12 hours. |
| | + | '''Gut sounds''' will decrease as the small intestine becomes distended and atonic. |
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| − | On [[Rectal Examination of the Horse|rectal examination]] the small intestine is palpable as distended loops; in the early stages of ileal impaction a tubular structure may be felt in the mid abdomen. | + | On '''[[Rectal Examination of the Horse|rectal examination]]''' the small intestine is palpable as distended loops; in the early stages of ileal impaction a tubular structure may be felt in the mid abdomen. |
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| | [[Colic Diagnosis - Clinical Signs|Signs of colic]] | | [[Colic Diagnosis - Clinical Signs|Signs of colic]] |
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| | See '''[[:Category:Colic Diagnosis in the Horse|Colic Diagnosis in Horses]]''' | | See '''[[:Category:Colic Diagnosis in the Horse|Colic Diagnosis in Horses]]''' |
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| | ==Treatment== | | ==Treatment== |
| | Surgical management is recommended for small instenstine impaction. A ventral midline laparotomy is carried out to gain access to the small intestine and assess | | Surgical management is recommended for small instenstine impaction. A ventral midline laparotomy is carried out to gain access to the small intestine and assess |