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Case report 

Unusual Fatal Gastric Sand Impaction in an Argentine Polo 
Pony in Nigeria: A Case Report 
Philip Wayuta Mshelia 1, Simpa Abdulazeez 2, Richard Emmanuel Edeh 3, Olumide Odunayo Akinniyi 4* 

1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State, Nigeria miduku@gmail.com 
(P.M.) 

2 Clearwater Farms, National Defence College, Kaduna State, Nigeria, (S.A) 
3  Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria edehoriche@gmail.com 

(R.E.E.) 
4  Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria olumide.akinniyi@yahoo.com (O.O.A) 
* Correspondence: Olumide Odunayo Akinniyi.  Email: olumide.akinniyi@gmail.com  

Abstract: Equine colic remains a significant health concern with complex, multifactorial aetiologies. Gastric sand impaction, 
while less common than large colon sand accumulation, can lead to severe complications including gastric rupture if left 
untreated. This report documents a case of fatal gastric sand impaction in a 12-year-old Argentine Polo Pony mare from 
Nigeria. The mare, maintained on ground feeding with hay and commercial concentrate feed, developed progressive colic 
signs over three days. Despite severe clinical deterioration, including reduced appetite, abdominal discomfort, and frequent 
rolling, no veterinary examination was pursued. Post-mortem examination revealed a 15 cm gastric rupture with approxi-
mately 8 kg of accumulated sand, accompanied by severe peritonitis and gastrointestinal inflammation. This case emphasizes 
the importance of proper feeding practices, regular veterinary monitoring, and prompt intervention in equine colic cases. It 
also demonstrates that significant sand accumulation can occur in the equine stomach, not just the large colon, potentially 
leading to gastric rupture. Immediate veterinary intervention for colic signs and use of elevated feeding systems to prevent 
fatal sand impaction are recommended. 

Keywords: Gastric sand impaction, equine colic, gastric rupture, Argentine Polo Pony, equine critical care 
 

1. Introduction 
Equine colic continues to be one of the most important issues in the entire equine 

industry, not only because of the morbidity and mortality but also due to great economic 
loss worldwide [2, 8]. Colic is a broad general term for various gastrointestinal conditions. 
On the other hand, sand-induced gastrointestinal disease has its own problems in partic-
ular geographic areas and management conditions [5]. 

Historically, sand accumulation has been mainly reported in the large intestine, lead-
ing to impaction, irritation of the mucosal lining, and alterations in motility [7]. However, 
gastric sand impaction, although less frequently reported, generally represents a more 
serious and life-threatening condition because of the possibility of gastric rupture [3]. The 
restricted distension capacity of the stomach is further compounded by the inability of 
horses to vomit upon the severity of gastric impactions. 

Management considerations are important in the development of sand-induced gas-
trointestinal problems. Ground-feeding practices, insufficient pasture, and low-quality 
feed are all examples of management issues that contribute to increased sand ingestion 
[6]. Sand consumption may be common in nations like Nigeria due to sandy soil and sig-
nificantly varying management strategies. 

Recent literature has emphasised the need for early identification and management 
of colic in horses [1, 4]. Clinical manifestations can quickly worsen into significant prob-
lems, particularly if there is stomach distention. Understanding its process and the factors 
that drive it is critical for achieving better therapeutic results. 

Received: 27.09.2024 

Accepted: 24.10.2024 

Published: 31.12.2024 

DOI:10.52331/v29i4786 

 

 

 

Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. 

Submitted for possible open access 

publication under the terms and 

conditions of the Creative Commons 

Attribution (CC BY) license 

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses

/by/4.0/). 

mailto:miduku@gmail.com
mailto:edehoriche@gmail.com
mailto:olumide.akinniyi@yahoo.com
mailto:olumide.akinniyi@gmail.com


Cluj Vet J 2024, vol 29, issue 4 36 of 38 
 

This case report aims at documenting the clinical course of events and pathological findings in a case 
of fatal gastric sand impaction in an Argentine Polo Pony in Nigeria. We tend to present this unusual case 
with the hope that it would add to the growing interest in the field of equine gastro-intestinal medicine and 
emphasize the need for good management practices and timely veterinary intervention. 

 

2. Case Report 
2.1. Patient Information and History 

A 12-year-old Argentine Polo Pony mare (600 kg) from Kaduna State, Nigeria, presented with progres-
sive colic signs on August 5, 2024. The horse, used primarily for recreational polo, was kept in a sandy pad-
dock with three other horses. The feeding regimen consisted of grass pasture and hay supplemented with 
commercial concentrate feed, which was fed directly on the ground. Fresh water was provided ad libitum. 
2.2. Clinical Progression 

The progression of clinical signs occurred over a three-day period. On the first day, the mare presented 
with reduced appetite and mild signs of abdominal discomfort, though she continued to drink water nor-
mally. No vital signs were assessed at this time, establishing a pattern of insufficient monitoring that would 
continue throughout the case. 

By the second day, the clinical picture deteriorated significantly. The mare showed increased signs of 
discomfort, characterized by frequent pawing at the ground and repeatedly looking at her flanks. The owner 
noted reduced faecal output, a significant clinical sign that warranted veterinary attention. However, no vet-
erinary examination was pursued at this stage. 

The third day marked a severe deterioration in the mare's condition. She made frequent attempts to lie 
down and roll, accompanied by profuse sweating - classic signs of severe abdominal pain. In response to these 
concerning signs, the owner administered ketoprofen (2.2 mg/kg IM, Ketofen® 10%, Merial). Despite the se-
verity of clinical signs, no veterinary examination was performed. The mare died approximately six hours 
after the ketoprofen administration. 
2.3. Post-mortem Examination 

A complete necropsy was performed within four hours of death, revealing multiple significant findings. 
External examination showed clear evidence of rolling behaviour, with dirt and abrasions present on the dor-
sal surfaces of the body. The mare exhibited moderate dehydration, estimated at 8-10% based on skin turgor 
assessment. No external traumatic injuries were identified beyond the abrasions associated with rolling. 

Examination of the abdominal cavity revealed approximately 12 litres of serosanguineous peritoneal 
fluid. The peritoneal fluid appeared cloudy with a pH of 7.8, and contained visible feed material, indicating 
gastrointestinal rupture. Diffuse peritoneal inflammation was evident throughout the cavity, consistent with 
acute peritonitis. 

The gastrointestinal tract showed multiple pathological changes, with the most severe findings in the 
stomach. A 15 cm longitudinal tear was present in the cardial region (Fig. 1), accompanied by severe gastric 
distention. The ventral portion of the stomach contained approximately 8 kg of accumulated sand, mixed with 
partially digested feed material. The gastric mucosa appeared haemorrhagic, particularly in the glandular 
region, indicating significant inflammation and compromised blood flow prior to rupture. 

The small intestine showed moderate gaseous distention and congested mucosa, though notably without 
evidence of displacement or obstruction. These changes were likely secondary to the primary gastric pathol-
ogy. The large intestine exhibited significant abnormalities, including caecal distention with gas (Fig. 2) and 
haemorrhagic areas throughout the caecal and colonic mucosa.  
2.4. Diagnosis 

Based on the post-mortem findings, the primary diagnosis was gastric rupture secondary to severe gastric 
sand impaction. Contributing factors include ground feeding practices and delayed veterinary intervention. 

 



Cluj Vet J 2024, vol 29, issue 4 37 of 38 
 

 
Fig. 1. Ruptured cardia of the stomach (black arow) 

 
Fig. 2. Engorged caecum due to accumulated gas (black arrow) 

3. Discussion 
This case of fatal gastric sand impaction provides valuable insights into the consequences of poor man-

agement practices in equine care, particularly in regions like Nigeria where environmental and management 
factors may increase the risk of sand ingestion. The progression from initial clinical signs to gastric rupture 
over approximately 72 hours aligns with previous reports of equine gastric rupture [1, 3].  

The development of gastric sand impaction in this case can be primarily attributed to poor management 
practices. Ground feeding of concentrate and hay significantly increased the risk of sand ingestion, a practice 
that has been associated with increased sand accumulation in horses [9].  

The absence of regular veterinary monitoring and delayed intervention significantly impacted the case 
outcome. Early recognition and treatment of sand accumulation can prevent the development of severe com-
plications such as gastric rupture [5]. The administration of ketoprofen without veterinary examination rep-
resents a critical missed opportunity for proper intervention. While non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 
can provide temporary pain relief in colic cases, their use without proper diagnosis may mask deteriorating 
conditions and delay essential treatment [4]. 

Of particular interest is the unusual accumulation of 8 kg of sand in the stomach, rather than the more 
commonly reported large colon impaction. While gastric sand impaction has been reported in the literature, 
it is relatively rare compared to large colon sand accumulation [9]. This case demonstrates that significant 
gastric sand impaction can occur and may progress rapidly to fatal complications, emphasizing the need for 



Cluj Vet J 2024, vol 29, issue 4 38 of 38 
 

veterinarians to consider this possibility when diagnosing horses with colic symptoms, particularly when poor 
management practices are identified. 

The pathophysiology of the gastric rupture likely involved progressive gastric distention from both sand 
accumulation and gas production, leading to stretching and eventual rupture of the cardiac region. The haem-
orrhagic changes observed in the gastric mucosa suggest significant inflammation and compromised blood 
flow preceded the rupture, consistent with findings reported in other cases of severe gastric distention [1, 3]. 

Limitations of this case study include the lack of ante-mortem clinical data and diagnostic imaging, which 
could have provided valuable information about the progression of the condition.  

4. Conclusion 
This case report highlights a fatal instance of gastric sand impaction in a horse, emphasizing the critical 

need for early veterinary intervention in colic cases and comprehensive preventive measures. The unusual 
presentation of sand accumulation in the stomach, rather than the typical large colon impaction, expands cur-
rent understanding of sand-related gastrointestinal disease in horses and suggests that veterinarians should 
consider gastric sand impaction when diagnosing horses with colic signs. The case underscores the importance 
of feeding practices and comprehensive health programs to prevent sand ingestion. We recommend immediate 
veterinary intervention at the first signs of equine colic, along with implementation of elevated feeding systems 
to prevent sand ingestion, as delayed treatment and ground feeding practices can lead to gastric rupture. 

 
Ethics Statement: Informed consent was obtained from the owner for the publication of this case report and 
accompanying images. All procedures and examinations were conducted in accordance with relevant guidelines 
and regulations. 
Authors contribution: Conceptualization, P.W.M. and S.A.; investigation, R.E.E. and O.O.A.; writing—original 
draft preparation, P.W.M.; writing—review and editing, S.A., R.E.E. and O.O.A.; supervision, S.A.; All authors 
have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. 
Data Availability Statement: For further information, please contact the corresponding author via email 
Conflict of Interest Statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

 

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