title: Comparison of the effects of enteral psyllium, magnesium sulphate and their combination for removal of sand from the large colon of horses.
abstract: Prospective studies documenting the efficacy and side effects of medical treatment for colonic sand accumulation in horses are limited. The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of enteral administration of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4), psyllium mucilloid (psyllium), and a combination of MgSO4 and psyllium on the evacuation of large accumulations of sand in the large colon of adult horses. Thirty-four horses with naturally acquired, large sand accumulations (>5 cm × 15 cm) identified on abdominal radiography were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups: (1) 1 g/kg psyllium (n = 12); (2) 1 g/kg MgSO4 (n = 10), or (3) their combination (n = 12). Treatments were administered once a day via nasogastric intubation and continued for a total of 4 days. Lateral radiographs of the ventral abdomen were repeated on day 4 of treatment. If the area of sand in the radiographic image was <25 cm(2) on day 4, the sand accumulation was considered resolved. Of 12 horses treated with a combination of psyllium and MgSO4, nine evacuated the sand from the ventral colon within 4 days. In comparison, only 3/12 horses treated with psyllium and 2/10 horses treated with MgSO4 resolved (both significantly different from the combination; P <0.05). Large accumulations of sand in the large colon of horses can be treated medically. Administering a combination of psyllium and MgSO4 via nasogastric intubation once daily for a total of 4 days was a more effective treatment than either constituent alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, 00014, Finland. Electronic address: kati.niinisto@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Kati
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Niinistö
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, 00014, Finland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hewetson
authors.affiliation: Oulu Equine Clinic, Äimärautiontie 5, 90400 Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Ritva
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaikkonen
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu 05800, Estonia.
authors.forename: Ben W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Sykes
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, 00014, Finland.
authors.forename: Marja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raekallio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003106:Colon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006736:Horses; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011620:Psyllium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011859:Radiography; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D011620:Psyllium
keywords: Colon; Horse; Magnesium sulphate; Psyllium; Sand