Factors associated with development of ileal impaction in horses with surgical colic: 78 cases (1986-2000).
Authors: Little D, Blikslager A T
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
Ileal impaction remains a significant surgical colic presentation in the south-eastern USA, yet the relative contributions of dietary and parasitic factors to its development have been incompletely understood. Little and Blikslager conducted a retrospective case–control analysis of 78 horses with surgically confirmed ileal impaction against 100 colic admissions without impaction, using logistic regression to identify associated risk factors. Feeding Coastal Bermuda hay emerged as a 2.9-fold increased risk factor, whilst failure to administer tapeworm-effective anthelmintics (specifically pyrantel salts) within three months of admission conferred a 3.1-fold risk elevation. Hay quality appears to be an important variable within the Coastal Bermuda hay association, suggesting that practitioners should scrutinise forage sourcing and nutritional composition alongside routine parasite control protocols using agents with documented efficacy against *Anoplocephala perfoliata*. These findings support the integration of strategic anthelmintic scheduling and forage assessment as practical preventive measures in high-risk populations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Consider alternative hay sources to Coastal Bermuda grass in regions where ileal impaction is prevalent, or ensure high-quality Coastal Bermuda hay is being fed
- •Establish a routine tapeworm control programme using pyrantel-based anthelmintics (administer at least every 3 months) to reduce impaction risk
- •Screen horses presenting with colic for history of Coastal Bermuda hay feeding and recent anthelmintic administration to identify high-risk cases
Key Findings
- •Feeding Coastal Bermuda hay was associated with 2.9-fold increased odds of ileal impaction
- •Failure to administer pyrantel salt within 3 months was associated with 3.1-fold increased odds of ileal impaction
- •Study confirms Coastal Bermuda hay as a risk factor, with hay quality potentially playing an additional role
- •Periodic anthelmintic administration targeting tapeworms recommended to reduce ileal impaction risk