Changes

      

      

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

Hospitalised horses are at greater risk, especially those with musculoskeletal conditions, often due to the reduction in activity and treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Hospitalised horses are at greater risk, especially those with musculoskeletal conditions, often due to inadequate analgesia, the reduction in activity and treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

   

   

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

Treatment depends on the severity and cause of the impaction. Mild impactions which are diagnosed early can be treated effectively with IV fluid therapy, oral fluid therapy with added magnesium sulphate by stomach tube and flunixin meglumate as analgesia. Food should be witheld and the horse should be monitored very closely to avoid the caecal distension progressing. Impactions which do not improve should be refered for surgical management.  

Treatment depends on the severity and cause of the impaction. Mild impactions which are diagnosed early can be treated effectively with IV fluid therapy, oral fluid therapy with added magnesium sulphate by stomach tube and flunixin meglumate as analgesia. Food should be witheld and the horse should be monitored very closely to avoid the caecal distension progressing. Impactions which do not improve should be refered for surgical management.  

Caecal impactions can be corected under general anaesthesia by laporotomy. The caecum is decompressed and the ingesta is removed. In cases where the emptying function of the caecum as been lost, a by-pass surgery must be performed.   

Caecal impactions can be corected under general [[Equine Anaesthesia|anaesthesia]] by laporotomy. The caecum is decompressed and the ingesta is removed. In cases where the emptying function of the caecum has been lost, a by-pass surgery must be performed.   

The risk of secondary impactions developing post-operatively can be minimised by administering adequate analgesia and close monitoring of the patient. Feed intake, faecal output and gut sounds should be recorded while the patient is hospitalised, if they become reduced the rectal palpation is indicated to make an early diagnosis.  

The risk of secondary impactions developing post-operatively can be minimised by administering adequate analgesia and close monitoring of the patient. Feed intake, faecal output and gut sounds should be recorded while the patient is hospitalised, if they become reduced then rectal palpation is indicated to make an early diagnosis.