Ileal Impaction - Horse
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This article is still under construction. |
| Also known as: | Colic Impaction |
Description
Signalment
Adult horses
Aetiology
Clinical Signs
Typical signs associated with small intestinal obstruction:
- Moderate to severe colic
- Nasogastric reflux may take a considerable time to develop because the ileum is the distal-most part of the small intestine. Reflux is found in 50% of horses requiring surgical conrrection for ileal impaction(35,41)
Diagnosis
Usually made at surgery. Rectal palpation may identify loops of distended small intestine as the condition progresses but these may impede palpation of the impaction itself.
Treatment
Medical treatment may resolve the impaction(36) but surgery is typically required. At surgery, fluids can be directly infused into the mass so that the impaction can be manually broken down. Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) may be included in the infusion to help disrupt the mass. An enterotomy should be considered to evacuate impacted contents and reduce intestinal manipulation.
Complications
Extensive small intestinal distension and intraoperative manipulation of the ileum may lead to postoperative ileus(42) but the risk is reduced if the duration between disease onset and surgical intervention is decreased(35)
Prognosis
The prognosis for survival is good(35,36).