What To Do About Equine Enteroliths
specific. Finding stones in a stall or paddock is a good indicator, but these can be easily missed or hard to attribute to a single horse in a group-housing situation. Radiographs (x-rays) are the best screening test for enteroliths, although radiographs are not able to identify the presence of enteroliths in every case. The ability of radiographs to confirm the presence of stones depends on the size of the horse, contents of feed inside the bowel, location of the enterolith (easier to detect in the large colon than the small colon), and the radiographic equipment used. In geographic areas where enteroliths are common, such as California, veterinarians may suspect intestinal stones in horses that have a history of colic. Early diagnosis is important because an enterolith obstructing the bowel has the potential to rupture with fatal consequences. Enteroliths that have flat edges or triangular shapes are indicators of the presence of more stones as they get these shapes by rubbing against each other in the gut. If history and clinical signs are compatible with a diagnosis of enteroliths, surgery will provide a definitive diagnosis
How are enteroliths treated?
The only successful treatment for horses with colic due to enteroliths is surgical removal. Horses are generally kept out of work for three months post-surgery. Horses that have had surgery to remove enteroliths should not have any alfalfa in their diets. Surgery is often successful and postoperative complications are uncommon, but recurrence is highly likely if recommended dietary changes are not followed.
What is the prognosis for horses with enteroliths?
The prognosis for horses with enteroliths depends on the size of the stones, where they are located, and when they are detected. The prognosis for horses with very small enteroliths is good; they may remain asymptomatic and pass the enteroliths in their manure. For horses with larger enteroliths, full recovery is very likely if resulting impactions are identified before damage to the colon occurs. The biggest concern is when the intestine ruptures before detection and removal of the enteroliths; these cases are fatal. Enteroliths that are slightly larger than a fecal ball are the most concerning because they cause colic by completely obstructing the small colon, which is a site predisposed to intestinal rupture. Early detection and the subsequent surgical removal of enteroliths has a high (greater than 90 percent) success rate.
How can enteroliths be prevented?
Enteroliths can be managed by cutting down on alfalfa so that it makes up less than 50 percent of the diet, reducing or eliminating bran, adding apple cider vinegar to hay or grain daily, and increasing the grain ratio to decrease the pH level in the colon. Additional grazing, increasing the number of feedings per day, and providing frequent, consistent exercise can help keep food material moving through the colon. Supplementing with psyllium, softening hard water, and avoiding mineral-rich feeds are additional management steps that can prevent the formation of enteroliths.
