Changes

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>