Fatal Equine Colic Due to Sand Impaction and Feed-Related Complications in an Argentine Polo Pony: A Case Report

Equine colic remains a significant health concern with complex, multifactorial aetiologies including dietary factors, management practices, and parasitic infestations. This case report analyses a fatal colic case in an Argentine Polo Pony, emphasizing the importance of integrating clinical history,...

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Main Authors: Philip Mshelia, Simpa Abdulazeez, Richard Edeh, Olumide Akinniyi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca 2024-12-01
Series:Cluj Veterinary Journal
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Online Access:https://clujveterinaryjournal.ro/index.php/cvj/article/view/78
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author Philip Mshelia
Simpa Abdulazeez
Richard Edeh
Olumide Akinniyi
author_facet Philip Mshelia
Simpa Abdulazeez
Richard Edeh
Olumide Akinniyi
author_sort Philip Mshelia
collection DOAJ
description Equine colic remains a significant health concern with complex, multifactorial aetiologies including dietary factors, management practices, and parasitic infestations. This case report analyses a fatal colic case in an Argentine Polo Pony, emphasizing the importance of integrating clinical history, post-mortem findings, and feed analysis in understanding equine colic aetiology. An adult Argentine Polo Pony mare exhibited progressive colic signs over three days before death. Post-mortem examination revealed sand impaction, gastric rupture, and parasitic infestation. The stomach contained crumbs of limestone, pebbles, palm kernel cake, and soya bean husks. Cloudy peritoneal fluids indicated peritonitis. The caecum was engorged with gas, and the small intestine contained frothy ingesta. Haemorrhagic mucosa was observed in the caecum and colon. Feed analysis showed nutritional imbalances with low crude protein (7.19%) and fibre (8.45%) levels, high metabolizable energy (2757.780 KCal/Kg), and contamination with Aspergillus niger. The integration of findings led to a diagnosis of fatal impaction colic due to sand impaction and feed-related complications. This case illustrates the complex interplay of factors in equine colic. A holistic approach to equine health management is crucial, including proper nutrition, parasite control, and strategies to prevent sand ingestion. Early recognition of colic signs and prompt veterinary intervention are critical for improving outcomes.
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca
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spelling doaj-art-e7b69b9ee27842e28c0728bc0d9990ff2025-08-20T02:07:12ZengUniversity of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-NapocaCluj Veterinary Journal2066-93992024-12-0129410.52331/v29i4786Fatal Equine Colic Due to Sand Impaction and Feed-Related Complications in an Argentine Polo Pony: A Case ReportPhilip Mshelia0Simpa Abdulazeez1Richard Edeh2Olumide Akinniyi3Ahmadu Bello UniversityClearwater Farms, National Defence College, Kaduna State, NigeriaUniversity of JosDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan Equine colic remains a significant health concern with complex, multifactorial aetiologies including dietary factors, management practices, and parasitic infestations. This case report analyses a fatal colic case in an Argentine Polo Pony, emphasizing the importance of integrating clinical history, post-mortem findings, and feed analysis in understanding equine colic aetiology. An adult Argentine Polo Pony mare exhibited progressive colic signs over three days before death. Post-mortem examination revealed sand impaction, gastric rupture, and parasitic infestation. The stomach contained crumbs of limestone, pebbles, palm kernel cake, and soya bean husks. Cloudy peritoneal fluids indicated peritonitis. The caecum was engorged with gas, and the small intestine contained frothy ingesta. Haemorrhagic mucosa was observed in the caecum and colon. Feed analysis showed nutritional imbalances with low crude protein (7.19%) and fibre (8.45%) levels, high metabolizable energy (2757.780 KCal/Kg), and contamination with Aspergillus niger. The integration of findings led to a diagnosis of fatal impaction colic due to sand impaction and feed-related complications. This case illustrates the complex interplay of factors in equine colic. A holistic approach to equine health management is crucial, including proper nutrition, parasite control, and strategies to prevent sand ingestion. Early recognition of colic signs and prompt veterinary intervention are critical for improving outcomes. https://clujveterinaryjournal.ro/index.php/cvj/article/view/78Gastrointestinal impactionequine colicsand impaction
spellingShingle Philip Mshelia
Simpa Abdulazeez
Richard Edeh
Olumide Akinniyi
Fatal Equine Colic Due to Sand Impaction and Feed-Related Complications in an Argentine Polo Pony: A Case Report
Cluj Veterinary Journal
Gastrointestinal impaction
equine colic
sand impaction
title Fatal Equine Colic Due to Sand Impaction and Feed-Related Complications in an Argentine Polo Pony: A Case Report
title_full Fatal Equine Colic Due to Sand Impaction and Feed-Related Complications in an Argentine Polo Pony: A Case Report
title_fullStr Fatal Equine Colic Due to Sand Impaction and Feed-Related Complications in an Argentine Polo Pony: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Fatal Equine Colic Due to Sand Impaction and Feed-Related Complications in an Argentine Polo Pony: A Case Report
title_short Fatal Equine Colic Due to Sand Impaction and Feed-Related Complications in an Argentine Polo Pony: A Case Report
title_sort fatal equine colic due to sand impaction and feed related complications in an argentine polo pony a case report
topic Gastrointestinal impaction
equine colic
sand impaction
url https://clujveterinaryjournal.ro/index.php/cvj/article/view/78
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AT richardedeh fatalequinecolicduetosandimpactionandfeedrelatedcomplicationsinanargentinepoloponyacasereport
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