title: Recognition and management of ileus.
abstract: Ileus may occur in horses of all ages secondarily to drug administration, colic, exhaustion, peritonitis, or metabolic disorders. Ileus most commonly occurs following abdominal surgery for colic and is a significant cause of postoperative mortality in these horses. The most common clinical signs of ileus are decreased or absent intestinal sounds and gastric reflux. Ileus is treated by eliminating the initiating causes, correcting metabolic imbalances, decompressing distended bowel, providing analgesia, stimulating motility with drugs, and regulating exercise and feed and water intake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinics, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006736:Horses; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*