Large bowel obstruction by enteroliths and/or foreign bodies in domestic equids: retrospective study of cases seen from January 2003 to March 2020

Abstract

This retrospective study was based on data extracted from medical records of 48 horses with intestinal obstruction caused by enteroliths and/or foreign bodies seen over the course of 17 years. Data analysis was aimed at describing the major features of this type of colic. Obstructions caused by enteroliths, foreign bodies or both accounted for 40 (83.34%), 6 (12.50%) and 2 (4.16%) cases in this sample respectively. Affected horses were aged 1 to 32 years (mean age 9.5 years) and 14 horses were fed alfalfa. Alfalfa is thought to contribute to enterolith formation. Foreign bodies and enteroliths were found in the transverse (12 cases, 25%), the large or the small colon (10 cases, 20.83% respectively). Concurrent obstruction of different intestinal segments was also recorded. These involved the small and the large colon in 10 cases (20.83%), the transverse and the large colon in 4 cases (8.33%), the small and the transverse colon in 1 case (2.08%) and the transition from the large to the transverse colon in one case (2.08%). Short term survival was 77.08% overall and 87.50% when only patients submitted to postoperative treatment were accounted for. Survival data are consistent with survival rates of 91% reported in literature.

Survey on the recognition, attitudes, and experience of horse owners during episodes of equine colic in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

“…Research exploring the pathophysiology and epidemiology of colic has provided valuable information to assist in the development of preventive strategies and understanding of the clinical course of different diseases ( Gonzaga et al, 2020 ). However, insights into the management of colic conditions are necessary as they can support the design and implementation of strategies that will facilitate owners in making decisions early regarding the need for veterinary medical care ( Bowden et al, 2020 ; Buckley et al, 2004 ; Ireland et al, 2012 ; Nardi et al, 2022 ). This study aimed to survey the experience, recognition, and attitude of horse owners about equine colic in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.…”