Immediately after surgery, reintroduce hay as quickly as possible. If dehiscence is of concern, use hay cubes soaked to make a slurry. Major large colon dysfunction or removal results in increased protein and phosphorus requirements, decreased fiber digestion, and possibly an increased need for B vitamins. Avoid poor quality grass hay. Fats or edible oils may be added to further increase caloric intake.
Emphasis is on small intestinal type digestion.
Avoid large amounts of grain. If ileum is intact, edible oils may be used to increase caloric intake. There also is an increased need for calcium in such cases, because the ileum is also a major site of calcium absorption in the horse. Rectovaginal lacerations dictate the need to soften and reduce fecal volume. Before surgery, consider the use of complete pelleted feeds or liquid diets to avoid adverse effects of starvation on wound healing.