Medical treatment of horses with ileal impactions: 10 cases (1990-1994).

The research focuses on assessing the clinical and laboratory results of horses that were medically treated for ileal impactions. It found that medical treatment could be a valid alternative for horses that cannot undergo surgery, if certain severe symptoms are not present.

Introduction and Methods

This study is an examination of real-world cases. The researchers looked at medical records for horses diagnosed with ileal impaction – a condition where the ileum, a part of the small intestine, is obstructed – that were treated medically rather than surgically. These cases were collected from a specific hospital over a four-year period, from 1990 to 1994.

• The study primarily relied on retrospective analysis, a research approach that involves looking back at existing data and carefully analyzing it.
• The researchers focused on cases of primary ileal impaction meaning the impaction was not a result of another disease or ailment, and cases where the horses were successfully treated using just medical treatment.

Clinical Findings and Treatment

Upon analysis of the medical records, the researchers discovered some common trends and findings.

• All of the horses had an impaction in the midabdominal area, discovered through transrectal palpation, a technique veterinarians use to physically feel for abnormalities within the abdomen.
• General distention of the small intestine was seen in six horses, hinting at the gravity and stage of the condition.
• Intravenous administration of a balanced electrolyte solution, nasogastric intubation and siphonage, and analgesics were used as medical treatments.
• Mineral oil was used after gastric reflux had ceased. Gastric reflux is a condition where the stomach contents are regurgitated back into the oesophagus.
• The mean time for resolution of the ileal impaction was approximately 11.7 hours.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The findings suggest that medical treatment may be a feasible alternative to surgery for horses with ileal impaction, provided certain conditions are met.

• Medical treatment can be favorable for horses that are unable to undergo surgery, given that they don’t show persistent signs of severe pain or progressive gaseous distention of the small intestine.
• Signs indicating the treatment’s efficacy included improvement in cardiovascular status, reduction in signs of abdominal pain, decrease in distention of loops of small intestine, softening of the impaction, and decreases in amounts of gastric reflux.