Special Report on Diseases of the HorseUnited States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Science
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse
United States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Horses -- Diseases
_Intussusception, or invagination._--This is the slipping of a portion
of the intestine into another portion immediately adjoining, like a
partially turned glove finger. This may occur at any part of the bowels,
but is most frequent in the small guts. The invaginated portion may be
slight--2 or 3 inches only--or extensive, measuring as many feet. In
intussusception, the inturned bowel is in the direction of the anus.
There are adhesions of the intestines at this point, congestion,
inflammation, or even gangrene. This accident is most liable to occur in
horses that are suffering from spasm of the bowel, or in those in which
a small portion of the gut is paralyzed. The natural wormlike or
ringlike contraction of the gut favors the passage of the contracted or
paralyzed portion into that immediately behind it. It may occur during
the existence of almost any abdominal trouble, as diarrhea, inflammation
of the bowels, or from injuries, exposure to cold, etc. A fall or
leaping may give the initial maldirection. Foals are most likely to be
thus afflicted.
Unless the invaginated portion of the gut becomes strangulated, probably
no symptoms except constipation will be appreciable. Strangulation of
the bowel may take place suddenly, and the horse die within 24 hours, or
it may occur after several days--a week even--and death then follow.
There are no symptoms positively diagnostic. Colicky pains, more or less
severe and continuous, are observed, and at first there may be diarrhea,
followed by constipation. Severe straining occurs in some instances of
intussusception, and when this occurs it should receive due credit. As
death approaches, the horse sweats profusely, sighs, presents an anxious
countenance, the legs and ears become cold, and there is often freedom
from pain immediately before death. In some rare instances he recovers,
even though the invaginated portion of the gut has become strangulated.
In this case the imprisoned portion sloughs away so gradually that a
union has taken place between the intestines at the point where one
portion has slipped into that behind it. The piece sloughing off is
found passed with the manure. Such cases are exceedingly rare.
Nonirritating laxatives, such as castor oil, sweet oil, or calomel in
small doses, should be given. Soft feed and mucilaginous and nourishing
drinks should be given during these attacks. E. Mayhew Michener has
operated successfully on a foal with intussusception by opening the
abdomen and releasing the imprisoned gut.
_Volvulus, gut tie, or twisting of the bowels._--These are the terms
applied to the bowels when twisted or knotted. This accident is rather a
common one, and frequently results from the violent manner in which a
horse throws himself about when attacked by spasmodic colic. The
symptoms are the same as those of intussusception and obstructions of
the bowels; the same directions as to treatment are therefore to be
observed.
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