Does your horse's cough need to be worried?

Webcast | What to do when your horse has a fever

Infographic | Diagnostic Imaging: Know your options

Video | How to give your horse a blanket

Horse experts answer your questions in monthly live audio events.

Join us and interview leading horse researchers from the University of Kentucky

Sale and adoption of horses

Problem solving series: How to control nuisance birds on horses

Horse 2022 Calendar: Horse Anatomy in Motion

Meconium impaction is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction and one of the most common health problems in newborn foals as a whole.

Published by the World Equine Veterinary Association | April 7, 2018 | Articles, breeding and reproduction, breeding basics, foal care, foal care and problems, foal and foal problems, horse care, surgical techniques, Veterinarians and professionals, western veterinary therapy

As the Northern Hemisphere foal enters the world, it is very important for owners and veterinarians to be vigilant for signs of problems. Meconium impaction is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction and one of the most common health problems in newborn foals as a whole.

Meconium is a mixture of digested amniotic fluid, glandular secretions, mucus, bile and epithelial cells. The foal will usually expel it within three to four hours after birth, after the first meal.

Meconium can have a variety of appearances, ranging from "hard as stone" or granular to thick, hard, and sticky dark brown, green, or black substances.

Colostrum-the "first milk" of a mare rich in antibodies, should be the foal's first meal-has a laxative effect, so it can help the foal to pass meconium. However, if the foal does not pass meconium before 12 hours of age, it may cause intestinal obstruction. Meconium impaction usually occurs in the small colon or pelvic entrance, but in severe cases, they can block the large colon.

Meconium impaction is usually associated with insufficient colostrum intake, dystocia (dystocia), premature delivery, and hereditary pelvic stenosis (obstruction). They can cause progressive gas swelling in the intestines and abdomen, symptoms of colic (worse after care), tenesmus (repeated attempts to defecate), frequent or constant tail lifts, weird postures, prolonged bed rest (lying down), depression , Weakness, and dehydration. Other foal diseases that may have similar clinical symptoms and must therefore be considered for a differential diagnosis include neonatal intussusception (when the intestine stretches within itself), excessively fatal White's syndrome, ruptured umbilical cord blood vessels, and ruptured bladder.

The veterinarian diagnoses meconium impaction based on a combination of clinical symptoms, careful digital exploration of the rectum, manual palpation of the abdominal wall, transabdominal ultrasound and X-rays.

Enemas can be used as therapeutic interventions and diagnostic tests, and are suitable for meconium impaction. Sodium phosphate enemas are easy to administer and widely used because they can be used in pre-mixed human preparations. The veterinarian recommends using it twice within the first 24 hours of life.

The most effective type of enema to treat meconium impaction is the acetylcysteine ​​retention enema. In addition to commercial preparations, these enemas can also be mixed by adding 8 grams of acetylcysteine ​​to a solution of 20 grams of baking soda in 200 milliliters (mL) of water. In order to perform the enema, the veterinarian will place the foal in a side lying position (side lying) and sedate it. Then, he or she will place and inflate a No. 30 French Foley catheter with a 30 mL balloon at 3 to 5 centimeters (cm) in the rectum. The acetylcysteine ​​solution is injected with 100 to 200 ml under gravity and left in the rectum for 30 minutes. The veterinarian can repeat the enema up to 3 times every 12 hours. In addition, they can administer intravenous fluids, as well as analgesics such as flunixin meglumine and butorphanol to help control the discomfort of the affected foal.

Refractory meconium impaction-those that cannot be improved by medical treatment-require surgical correction under general anesthesia in a dorsal position (little pony lying on its back). This method requires a 12-15 cm midline incision, through which the veterinarian can decompress and expand and clear the obstruction. Surgery complications may include peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdomen), adhesions, endotoxemia, sepsis, and anesthesia-related problems.

The prognosis depends on the clinical condition of each foal, but many foals will recover and continue to live healthy lives.

Designed by Elegant Theme | Powered by WordPress

You need to be logged in to fill out this form