Very Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Ileal Impaction
Synonyms: Small Intestinal Obstruction, Non-Strangulating
Summary
The small intestine is 70 feet long. Most of the conditions that affect it cause colic strangulation. Simple obstruction is possible, though and it usually occurs in the ileum. The ileum is the final segment of the small intestine. It is a thickened muscular tube about 3 feet long that empties through a valve into the cecum.
This is a site for several conditions that cause blockage of the small intestine. Certain tapeworm species attach here and physically can block passage of feed. They also may cause irritation and thickening of the ileum which may cause feed impaction.
Ileal hypertrophy is a condition in which the walls become over-thickened from several possible causes, causing blockage.
Ileal impaction is more commonly seen in horses that are fed Bermuda Grass hay. It is also regional, being more common in Europe and the Southeastern United States.
This is a site for several conditions that cause blockage of the small intestine. Certain tapeworm species attach here and physically can block passage of feed. They also may cause irritation and thickening of the ileum which may cause feed impaction.
Ileal hypertrophy is a condition in which the walls become over-thickened from several possible causes, causing blockage.
Ileal impaction is more commonly seen in horses that are fed Bermuda Grass hay. It is also regional, being more common in Europe and the Southeastern United States.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Some cases of simple ileal impaction respond to medical treatment with intravenous fluids and intensive care and decompression of the fluid buildup on the stomach by repeatedly siphoning fluid off (refluxing).Many cases of ileal blockage, however, will require surgery. The prognosis with surgery is usually good, but predisposing factors must be addressed to prevent recurrence. In cases of ileal hypertrophy or more complicated blockage, bypass operations may need to be performed, which are costly and tend to have a poorer prognosis.
my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Are there feeding changes that will need to be made in the future to prevent recurrence?
- Is my parasite management contributing to the problem?
Prevention
Feeding Bermuda grass hay may increase the incidence of impaction of this area.
Deworming at least annually with Praziquantel or other tapeworm anthelmintic is important to eliminate tapeworms that tend to cause problems here.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
