Radiographic parameters for diagnosing sand colic in horses

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Radiology
• Equine Internal Medicine
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Sand ingestion in horses can cause gastrointestinal issues like colic, diarrhea, and weight loss.
• Clinical signs of sand-related illness are often unspecific, making diagnosis challenging.
• Determining a threshold for sand accumulation in asymptomatic horses is crucial to avoid over-diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate previously suggested radiographic parameters for diagnosing sand colic.
• To compare radiographic findings of sand accumulation between horses with and without clinical signs of sand colic.

Main Methods:

• Abdominal radiographs were taken from 30 healthy horses and 37 horses diagnosed with sand impaction.
• Sand accumulations were measured and graded based on height, length, homogeneity, opacity, and location.
• A previously published grading protocol was utilized for assessment.

Main Results:

• 66% of control horses (no clinical signs) had one or more sand accumulations.
• Height, length, and homogeneity proved useful in diagnosing sand colic.
• Grade 1-2 sand accumulations were common in asymptomatic horses, while clinical cases showed significantly larger accumulations.

Conclusions:

• A grading system based on height and length measurements can aid in assessing sand accumulation.
• Grade 1-2 intestinal sand accumulation is frequently found in horses without gastrointestinal disease.
• Sand accumulation of grade 1-2 should not be presumed as the cause of clinical signs until other differential diagnoses are ruled out.