Comparison of medical and surgical treatment for impaction of the small colon in horses: 84 cases (1986-1996).
Abstract: To characterize clinical findings and compare effects of treatment and outcome for horses treated medically or surgically for impaction of the small colon. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 84 horses with impaction of the small colon. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for history, physical examination findings, laboratory values, treatment, response to treatment, complications, out-come, and necropsy findings. Results: 47 horses were treated medically and 37 horses were treated surgically. Significant differences between groups were not identified for duration of clinical signs, physical examination findings, or laboratory values. Horses treated surgically were hospitalized longer than horses treated medically. Complications recorded during hospitalization included diarrhea, jugular thrombophlebitis, recurrent colic, fever, and laminitis. Salmonella organisms were isolated from 20 horses. Horses treated surgically were more likely to have signs of moderate abdominal pain, gross abdominal distention, and positive results for culture of Salmonella spp than horses treated medically. Follow-up information was available for 27 horses treated medically and 23 horses treated surgically. Twenty-four (72%) and 21 (75%) of the horses, respectively, survived and were being used for their intended purpose at least 1 year after treatment. Conclusions: Colitis may be a predisposing factor for impaction of the small colon in horses. Prognosis for horses treated surgically or medically is fair.
Publication Date: 1999-04-14 PubMed ID: 10200801
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article presents a comparison between the medical and surgical treatments for horses suffering from small colon impaction, looking at the methods, clinical findings, outcome, and compications related to each treatment.
Research Methodology
- The research is based on a retrospective study with 84 horses having small colon impaction.
- Data was gathered by reviewing medical records, which included aspects like history, physical examination findings, laboratory values, treatment given, response to treatment, complications, outcome, and necropsy findings.
Treatment Groups and Findings
- The horses under study were divided into two groups – 47 were managed medically and 37 were treated surgically.
- No significant differences were observed in the duration of clinical signs, physical examination findings, or laboratory values between the two groups.
- Horses that received surgical treatment remained hospitalized for a longer duration compared to those treated medically.
Complications and Observations
- Various complications recorded during hospitalization included diarrhea, jugular thrombophlebitis (a condition where a blood clot forms in a vein located in the neck), recurrent colic, fever, and laminitis (a painful condition affecting horse’s feet).
- A bacterial organism, Salmonella, was isolated from 20 horses, implying potential infection.
- Surgically treated horses were likely to show signs of moderate abdominal pain, gross abdominal distention, and a positive result for culture of Salmonella species than those treated medically.
Follow-Up Information and Outcome
- Follow-up information was available for 27 medically treated horses and 23 surgically treated ones.
- Out of these, respectively, 24 (72%) and 21(75%) horses survived and continued their intended tasks at least a year after treatment.
Final Conclusions
- Colitis, an inflammation of the colon, might act as a predisposing factor for small colon impaction in horses.
- The prognosis for horses undergoing either medical or surgical treatment was deemed fair.
Cite This Article
APA
Rhoads WS, Barton MH, Parks AH.
(1999).
Comparison of medical and surgical treatment for impaction of the small colon in horses: 84 cases (1986-1996).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 214(7), 1042-1047.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602-7391, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
- Cathartics / therapeutic use
- Clonixin / analogs & derivatives
- Clonixin / therapeutic use
- Emollients / therapeutic use
- Fecal Impaction / surgery
- Fecal Impaction / therapy
- Fecal Impaction / veterinary
- Female
- Fluid Therapy / veterinary
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Mineral Oil / therapeutic use
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
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