Nonstrangulated colonic displacement in horses.

Nonstrangulated colonic displacement was diagnosed by exploratory celiotomy in 32 horses with acute abdominal pain. Clinical signs progressed slowly and included evidence of mild to moderate abdominal pain, good cardiovascular status, reduced intestinal sounds, and normal peritoneal fluid, and resembled those of colonic impaction. In most horses, rectal palpation supported a diagnosis of colonic obstruction but not a diagnosis of colonic impaction.