Foreign body obstruction of the small colon in foals

From 1990 to 1997 eight cases of foreign body impaction of the small colon by synthetic fibrous material were biagnosed in foals, ii. was caused by in gestion of the fibrous trame of conveyor beltings used as paddock fences. T he exposure to rubberized fencing products was recent in all cases. The foa ls had history of mild to moderate abdominal pain for a variable period of time. in two ioals the foreign body had already reached the anus. In all ca ses surgery was necessary to remove the foreign body. Surgical exploration was made through a ventral mid-line incision. One or more enterotomies were performed in the small colon or in the right dorsal colon. Intraluminal di ssection of the fibrous mass was necessary in some cases. When devitalised bowel segments where present they where oversewn in an inverting pattern. F ive ioals recovered without complications. Two feats developed diarrhea but then recovered well. In one horse necrosis of the small colon caused fatal peritonitis.