Enteroliths are mineral stones that form in the large colon of horses and cause colic when they move into a narrower part of the bowel. Many horses with enteroliths have a history of recurring colic episodes, and the stones can be present for a long time before a complete obstruction. Surgery is the treatment for obstruction, and the exam emphasizes the typical signalment, the diet link and the surgical rule about checking for more stones.
Key facts
Enteroliths at a glance- Species and system: horse; large colon and small colon.
- Composition: concretions of magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite) built around a nidus such as wire, a stone or a nail (MSD).
- Geography: California, the southwest, Indiana and Florida (MSD).
- Signalment: most horses are about 10 years old; rare under 4 years. Arabians are commonly affected, though regional popularity confounds the breed link (MSD).
- Diet: alfalfa hay is a common factor.
- Typical presentation: recurrent colic, then severe pain and gas distension when a stone blocks the origin of the transverse colon.
- Treatment: surgical removal through a ventral midline celiotomy.
What's inside
13 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Risk factors
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Reasoning through a case
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 3 self-test questions and 4 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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