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==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
*Gastric impaction is suspected if a '''nasogastric tube''' cannot be passed or if poorly macerated or digested feed material is recovered from the tube when the horse has been starved for several hours. With gastric distension, the gastoroesophageal junction can become distorted making it difficult to pass the tube.(Mair)
*Gastric impaction is suspected if a [[Colic Diagnosis - Naso-gastric Intubation|'''nasogastric tube''']] cannot be passed or if poorly macerated or digested feed material is recovered from the tube when the horse has been starved for several hours. With gastric distension, the gastoroesophageal junction can become distorted making it difficult to pass the tube.(Mair)
*On [[Colic Diagnosis - Rectal Examination|'''rectal examination''']], the spleen may be displaced caudally and medially (but this is not specific for gastric impaction).(Mair)
*On '''rectal examination''', the spleen may be displaced caudally and medially (but this is not specific for gastric impaction).(Mair)
*'''Endoscopy''' would be indicated in a chronic case(Mair, Blisk) and may show a full stomach after a fast of 18-24hrs.(Sanchez) However it is not diagnostic for impaction as it is difficult to assess gastric distension by endoscopy.(MAir)
*'''Endoscopy''' would be indicated in a chronic case(Mair, Blisk) and may show a full stomach after a fast of 18-24hrs.(Sanchez) However it is not diagnostic for impaction as it is difficult to assess gastric distension by endoscopy.(MAir)
*In a small horse or pony, a lateral '''radiograph''' of the cranial abdomen may show the diaphragm displaced cranially(Mair)
*In a small horse or pony, a lateral '''radiograph''' of the cranial abdomen may show the diaphragm displaced cranially(Mair)
*'''Ultrasonography''' may reveal a markedly enlarged gastric echo extending over six or more intercostal spaces on the left side of the abdomen. A marked increase in the thickness of the wall of the stomach may also be imaged. (Edwards)
*[[Colic Diagnosis - Abdominal Ultrasound|'''Ultrasonography''']] may reveal a markedly enlarged gastric echo extending over six or more intercostal spaces on the left side of the abdomen. A marked increase in the thickness of the wall of the stomach may also be imaged. (Edwards)
'''However, if the horse suffers from acute severe colic, a diagnosis is often made at surgery'''.
'''However, if the horse suffers from acute severe colic, a diagnosis is often made at surgery'''.