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Discussion on Apparently Painless Abdominal Distension In 12 Week Old Foal
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Member:
Bernieh
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2005 - 7:14 am:
Dear Dr O, I apologise in advance as I seem to have posted this yesterday in the "Suggestions Box".
I would appreciate advice on possible causes and management. 12 week old thoroughbred male foal, not yet weaned. Noted in the paddock to have marked generalised abdominal swelling. No fever or elevated heart rate; did not look in pain; bowel sounds slightly reduced. No hernias. Vet advised paraffin via gastric tube. Gave ?5 litres and foal passes wind. Overnight passes paraffin and some feces. No blood in feces. Feces looks normal apart from paraffin. Next day (about 18 hours after having paraffin) bloating considerably reduced, vet examines and advises hay feeds only and observe (feels that bowel sounds are reduced; no tenderness; still no fever; seems hungry). Could this be anything like a volvulus, intussusception or just some sort of "colic" (which I don't have a good grasp of), or blockage by hard feed/stones, or what..? Depending on the cause, any thoughts on preventing a recurrence (what conditions are most likely to recur?)
Thanks in advance, bernieh
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2005 - 7:57 am:
Thanks for reposting BJ, I was getting ready to set up a new discussion and move it which is quite time consuming. I think a twisted bowel would be immediately painful and a blockage painful within several hours. However excessive gas production can be a cause for a displaced segment of bowel. If we assume this is gas in the bowel the most likely causes would be: a feedstuff that the foal found difficult to digest, too rapid an introduction of a new feed, or disruption of the normal bacterial flora in the bowel. Those are the things I would try to avoid.
DrO
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Member:
Bernieh
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2005 - 6:27 pm:
Many thanks for the prompt reply. I'll keep you informed of progress. This is an excellent resource.
BJH
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Member:
Bernieh
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 - 6:01 am:
Dr O,
The foal has settled down and now seems fine. The bloating settled completely within 36 hours of having had the paraffin. No fever, no distress, little if any pain. The vet has checked him twice since then and he seems normal to examination. Feces seems to be normal. Had some probiotics for about 5-7 days after the onset of the problem, but nil else apart from the lighter diet and paraffin. BJ.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 - 7:19 am:
Thanks for the follow up BJ. For more on probiotics see Care for Horses » Nutrition » Probiotics and Yeast Culture Products.
DrO
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