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  Discussion on New Article: Cecal Impaction in Horses
Author Message
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 14, 2007 - 9:19 am:

Cecal impaction is a fairly common cause of colic accounting 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. To access this article click on » Cecal Impaction » above.
DrO
New Member:
mpulsar1

Posted on Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 - 6:18 pm:

Dr. O:

I have a 1 1/2 yr old oldenberg/arab gelding whom I just brought home today from an equine hospital due to a pelvic flexure impaction. He was treated with very aggressive medical management and thus avoided surgery. He is not a big water drinker and this is his first illinois winter as he was bred in southern TN. I now have 2 heated water buckets in his stall and have put a salt block in his feeder. I also just ordered a product called Tractguard which is a pelleted supplement that includes electrolytes to promote more water drinking. It also has flaxseed in it to help with motility. Have you ever heard of it? Any other recommendations? You know the old saying, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink....... I would prefer not to encounter this situation again!
Member:
canter

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2008 - 7:27 am:

Signe, I can't answer your question on the Tractguard, but a couple of ideas to get your horse to increase water consumption:
*Make a mash of his food with warm water
*Float pieces of apple in his water bucket
*Sweeten his water with something appealing. Members on HA have reported success with cherry flavored jello and apple juice (since you have 2 water buckets, leave one as pure water until you know the flavored water experiment works)

Hope that helps.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2008 - 9:38 am:

Welcome signe,
The problem with electrolytes and water drinking is that yes it will increase water consumption but most of this follows the electrolytes into the blood and disposed of in the urine and not the feces. So minimal fecal moistening occurs. For more on encouraging water consumption and watering to soften stools see, Horse Care » Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding » Water, Water Quality, and Watering Horses.
DrO
PS: Signe when asking questions about your horse you should start a new discussion rather than posting at the bottom of a already existing discussion. This helps us keep Horseadvice organized and will get your post more exposure. You will find a "start new discussion" button at the bottom of the list of already existing discussions on each topic. From a preexisting discussion you will need to back up one page. This is easily done with the navigation bar at the top of each page. For more on this see Help & Information on Using This Site » Welcome to The Horseman's Advisor.
New Member:
mpulsar1

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2008 - 6:27 pm:

Thanks for the advice
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