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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Factors associated with development of ileal impaction in ho...
Equine veterinary journal2002; 34(5); 464-468; doi: 10.2746/042516402776117773

Factors associated with development of ileal impaction in horses with surgical colic: 78 cases (1986-2000).

Abstract: Deal impaction is prevalent in the south-eastern USA, where feeding of Coastal Bermuda hay has been implicated as a risk factor. Alternatively, infection with the tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata has been identified as a risk factor for ileal impaction in the UK. We hypothesised that feeding Coastal Bermuda hay and failure to administer routinely an anthelmintic with efficacy against tapeworms would place horses at risk of developing ileal impaction in the USA. Seventy-eight horses, with surgically confirmed ileal impaction and 100 horses admitted for colic that did not have an ileal impaction, were selected retrospectively for logistic regression analysis. Using odds ratios (OR) as an index of risk, feeding Coastal Bermuda hay (OR = 2.9) and failure to administer a pyrantel salt within 3 months of admission (OR = 3.1) placed horses at risk of development of ileal impaction. This study confirms the belief that feeding Coastal Bermuda hay places horses at risk of ileal impaction, although the quality of the hay may also play a role. Periodic administration of anthelmintics with efficacy against tapeworms should be considered to reduce risk of ileal impaction.
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Publication Date: 2002-10-03 PubMed ID: 12358048DOI: 10.2746/042516402776117773Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates the factors contributing to the development of ileal impaction, a type of colic condition, in horses, focusing especially on the role of feeding Coastal Bermuda hay and inadequate anthelmintic treatment. It was found that both these factors significantly increase the risk of ileal impaction.

Research Purpose and Hypothesis

  • The study aims to identify the factors associated with the occurrence of ileal impaction, a common horse ailment characterized by blockages in the small intestine, in horses suffering from colic.
  • The researchers hypothesized that feeding horses Coastal Bermuda hay, along with the failure to administer effective treatment against tapeworms routinely, would significantly increase the risk of the development of ileal impaction in the horses, especially in the south-eastern USA.

Research Methodology

  • A total of 78 horses, all having surgically confirmed ileal impaction, and a control group of 100 horses admitted for colic but not having ileal impaction were selected retrospectively for analysis.
  • The researchers assessed the horses’ diet, specializing in their consumption of Coastal Bermuda hay and their history of anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) administration.

Findings and Conclusions

  • Applying logistic regression analysis and utilizing odds ratios (OR) as an index of risk, it was found that feeding Coastal Bermuda hay (OR = 2.9) and failing to administer a pyrantel salt (an anthelmintic) within three months of the horse’s admission (OR = 3.1) were associated with increased risk of ileal impaction development.
  • The study, therefore, validates the initial hypothesis, confirming that the feeding of Coastal Bermuda hay puts horses at an increased risk of ileal impaction. Furthermore, the findings also suggest that the quality of the hay might be a relevant consideration in this context.
  • The research further suggests that frequent administration of tapeworm-effective anthelmintics should be considered to reduce the risk of ileal impaction in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Little D, Blikslager AT. (2002). Factors associated with development of ileal impaction in horses with surgical colic: 78 cases (1986-2000). Equine Vet J, 34(5), 464-468. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516402776117773

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 5
Pages: 464-468

Researcher Affiliations

Little, D
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA.
Blikslager, A T

    MeSH Terms

    • Animal Feed
    • Animals
    • Antinematodal Agents / administration & dosage
    • Cestode Infections / complications
    • Cestode Infections / prevention & control
    • Cestode Infections / veterinary
    • Colic / surgery
    • Colic / veterinary
    • Cynodon / adverse effects
    • Female
    • Horse Diseases / etiology
    • Horse Diseases / surgery
    • Horses
    • Ileal Diseases / etiology
    • Ileal Diseases / surgery
    • Ileal Diseases / veterinary
    • Intestinal Obstruction / etiology
    • Intestinal Obstruction / surgery
    • Intestinal Obstruction / veterinary
    • Logistic Models
    • Male
    • Odds Ratio
    • Pyrantel / administration & dosage
    • Retrospective Studies
    • Risk Factors
    • United States

    Citations

    This article has been cited 11 times.
    1. Willette J, Guinn A, Munsterman A. Primary Jejunal Impactions Resolved via Exploratory Celiotomy in Six Horses: 2017-2023. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 12;15(16).
      doi: 10.3390/ani15162363pubmed: 40867692google scholar: lookup
    2. Vasco ACCM, Brinkley-Bissinger KJ, Bobel JM, Dubeux JCB, Warren LK, Wickens CL. Digestibility and nitrogen and water balance in horses fed rhizoma peanut hay. J Anim Sci 2021 Nov 1;99(11).
      doi: 10.1093/jas/skab284pubmed: 34634110google scholar: lookup
    3. Giusto G, Cerullo A, Labate F, Gandini M. Incomplete Ileocecal Bypass for Ileal Pathology in Horses: 21 Cases (2012-2019). Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 5;11(2).
      doi: 10.3390/ani11020403pubmed: 33562529google scholar: lookup
    4. Ghajar SM, McKenzie H, Fike J, McIntosh B, Tracy BF. Evaluating digestibility and toxicity of native warm-season grasses for equines. Transl Anim Sci 2021 Jan;5(1):txaa224.
      doi: 10.1093/tas/txaa224pubmed: 33501415google scholar: lookup
    5. Hedberg-Alm Y, Penell J, Riihimäki M, Osterman-Lind E, Nielsen MK, Tydén E. Parasite Occurrence and Parasite Management in Swedish Horses Presenting with Gastrointestinal Disease-A Case-Control Study. Animals (Basel) 2020 Apr 7;10(4).
      doi: 10.3390/ani10040638pubmed: 32272754google scholar: lookup
    6. Hansen TL, Chizek EL, Zugay OK, Miller JM, Bobel JM, Chouinard JW, Adkin AM, Skurupey LA, Warren LK. Digestibility and Retention Time of Coastal Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) Hay by Horses. Animals (Basel) 2019 Dec 14;9(12).
      doi: 10.3390/ani9121148pubmed: 31847350google scholar: lookup
    7. Curtis L, Burford JH, England GCW, Freeman SL. Risk factors for acute abdominal pain (colic) in the adult horse: A scoping review of risk factors, and a systematic review of the effect of management-related changes. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0219307.
      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219307pubmed: 31295284google scholar: lookup
    8. Escalona EE, Okell CN, Archer DC. Prevalence of and risk factors for colic in horses that display crib-biting behaviour. BMC Vet Res 2014;10 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S3.
      doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S3pubmed: 25238292google scholar: lookup
    9. Davis HA, Munsterman A. Ileal impaction and jejunal enterotomy in a 4-month-old Arabian filly. Can Vet J 2012 Jan;53(1):71-4.
      pubmed: 22753967
    10. Fleming K, Mueller PO. Ileal impaction in 245 horses: 1995-2007. Can Vet J 2011 Jul;52(7):759-63.
      pubmed: 22210940
    11. Elsener J, Villeneuve A. Does examination of fecal samples 24 hours after cestocide treatment increase the sensitivity of Anoplocephala spp. detection in naturally infected horses?. Can Vet J 2011 Feb;52(2):158-61.
      pubmed: 21532821
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