Diagnosis and Management of Obstructive Colic Due To Faecolith in a Horse

S. Vijay; P. Sahithi; B. Karthikeyan; M. Saravanan; M. Veerselvam; D. Vishnugurubaran; K. Jayalakshmi

Authors

S. Vijay M.V.Sc. Scholars, Department of Veterinary Medicine, VCRI, Orathanadu, Tamil Nadu, INDIA
P. Sahithi M.V.Sc. Scholars, Department of Veterinary Medicine, VCRI, Orathanadu, Tamil Nadu, INDIA
B. Karthikeyan M.V.Sc. Scholars, Department of Veterinary Medicine, VCRI, Orathanadu, Tamil Nadu, INDIA
M. Saravanan Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary Medicine, VCRI, Orathanadu, Tamil Nadu, INDIA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9165-5106
M. Veerselvam Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Medicine, VCRI, Orathanadu, Tamil Nadu, INDIA
D. Vishnugurubaran Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, VCRI, Orathanadu, Tamil Nadu, INDIA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3923-5558
K. Jayalakshmi Assistant Professor, Veterinary Clinical Complex, VCRI, Orathanadu, Tamil Nadu, INDIA

Keywords:

Horse, Faecolith Impaction, Fluid Therapy, Obstructive Colic, Laxatives

Abstract

A 5-year-old male horse weighing 300 kg was presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, VCRI, Orathanadu, with a history of severe colic persisting for five days. The horse showed restlessness, intermittent rolling, abdominal distension, inappetence and straining to pass mucus-coated faecal pellets. On physical examination, the horse exhibited mild hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, congested mucous membranes and abrasions from rolling. Shivering, hind limb shifting and altered borborygmi were noted. Rectal palpation revealed a painful, hard mass with serrated edges.Abdominal ultrasonography revealed distended intestinal loops (12.4 cm diameter) with anechoic contents, mixed echogenic material cranial to the obstruction and absence of peristaltic movement. Blood analysis indicated elevated BUN, creatinine and bilirubin levels, with other parameters within normal ranges. The case was diagnosed as obstructive colic due to a faecolith. Initial treatment included intravenous fluid therapy, analgesics (flunixin meglumine), antihistamines, gastro-protectants and antibiotics. Liquid paraffin was administered via nasogastric intubation. By the third day, rectal examination revealed the faecolith within reach. Sedation facilitated manual removal of the 340 g faecolith, after which normal defecation resumed. Supportive care and fluid therapy continued for two additional days, resulting in complete recovery within seven days. This case reports an effective diagnosis and management of obstructive colic due to faecolith in a horse.

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