Cecal Impaction in Horses
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Cecal impaction is a fairly common cause of colic acoustic for half the horses with cecal disease, 5% of horses with impaction, and as much as 2% of horses referred to hospitals for treatment of colic in areas where coastal bermuda hay is fed. The cecum in the horse is a large blind sac that connects the small bowel with the large colon. It is essentially a fermentation vat where microbes go to work on the undigested fibrous portion of the horses diet...more.

Though experience is important a diagnosis of cecal impaction can often be made on the basis of results of rectal examination. One of the quandries with cecal impaction is what constitutes appropriate therapy. Both medical and surgical therapy have been used with success, it is not clear when surgery should be chosen and which surgery is best. There have been management and medical procedures associated with the development of cecal impactions. This article discusses the clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis, and prevention of cecal impactions.

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