Medical treatment of sand enteropathy with psyllium, magnesium sulphate and paraffin oil in 54 Western Australian equids.
Abstract: Sand enteropathy describes the clinical signs attributed to accumulation of sand in the gastrointestinal tract. Psyllium combined with magnesium sulphate has been recommended for clearing intestinal sand, but this has only been evaluated in one population. The combination of these two agents with paraffin oil has not been investigated. Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of paraffin oil, psyllium and magnesium sulphate combined in clearing intestinal sand in horses diagnosed with sand enteropathy. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records of horses presenting for sand enteropathy that underwent treatment with psyllium, paraffin oil and magnesium sulphate were reviewed. Area of sand was calculated from abdominal radiographs. Treatment was deemed a success if more than 75% of the sand area was cleared. Results: There were 52 horses and 2 donkeys included in the study. Daily treatment with psyllium at 1 g/kg, 6-8 mL/kg of paraffin oil, and magnesium sulphate at 1 g/kg by nasogastric intubation, was successful in clearing intestinal sand accumulation in 81% of equids over a median of 4 days (interquartile range 3-5 days). Success rate was lower in Miniatures Ponies (44%). Complications were common (30%) but were generally mild or self-limiting. Conclusions: Retrospective nature of study design. Limited to cases that consented to sand clearance treatment. Conclusions: The combination of psyllium, magnesium sulphate and paraffin oil was effective at clearing intestinal sand in most cases. Miniature Ponies had a poorer response to treatment compared with other breeds and may be at increased risk of treatment failure.
© 2025 Australian Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2025-02-23 PubMed ID: 39988760DOI: 10.1111/avj.13406Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study investigates the effectiveness of a treatment combination of psyllium, magnesium sulphate and paraffin oil in clearing intestinal sand in horses diagnosed with sand enteropathy. It concludes that such treatment is effective in removing sand in most cases, although Miniature Ponies seem to show lesser response to the treatment.
Objective and Method of the Study
- The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined medical treatment involving psyllium, magnesium sulphate, and paraffin oil in clearing accumulated sand in the intestines of horses diagnosed with sand enteropathy.
- The research uses a retrospective case series method in which medical records of horses presenting for sand enteropathy that underwent the said treatment are reviewed.
- The extent of sand accumulation was determined through abdominal radiographs. The treatment’s success was gauged based on whether it managed to clear more than 75% of the accumulated sand.
Findings of the Study
- The study included 52 horses and two donkeys. Overall, the treatment was found effective in 81% of the cases, clearing the intestinal sand accumulation in a median of 4 days.
- The daily treatment consisted of psyllium at 1g/kg, 6-8 mL/kg of paraffin oil, and magnesium sulphate at 1 g/kg, all administered through nasogastric intubation.
- The success rate of treatment was notably lower (44%) among Miniature Ponies.
- Although complications were relatively common, occurring in 30% of cases, they were typically mild or self-limiting.
Conclusion
- Despite the study’s retrospective nature and its limitation to only cases consenting to sand clearance treatment, the results are noteworthy. The combination of psyllium, magnesium sulphate, and paraffin oil proved effective in clearing accumulated intestinal sand in most horse breeds.
- Miniature Ponies, however, had a poorer response to the treatment, indicating that this breed might be at a higher risk of treatment failure.
Cite This Article
APA
Entwisle IG, McConnell EJ.
(2025).
Medical treatment of sand enteropathy with psyllium, magnesium sulphate and paraffin oil in 54 Western Australian equids.
Aust Vet J, 103(4), 159-162.
https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13406 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
- Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Retrospective Studies
- Horses
- Psyllium / therapeutic use
- Psyllium / administration & dosage
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Equidae
- Magnesium Sulfate / therapeutic use
- Magnesium Sulfate / administration & dosage
- Female
- Male
- Sand
- Paraffin / therapeutic use
- Paraffin / administration & dosage
- Treatment Outcome
- Western Australia
References
This article includes 13 references
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