Mineral Oil / White Petrolatum

Mineral oil is a transparent, colorless, and odorless mixture of complex hydrocarbons derived from crude petroleum. In veterinary medicine, it is a classic **lubricant laxative** used extensively in large animal practice (especially horses) for the management of large colon impactions and sand colic. In small animals, it is primarily utilized in the form of flavored petrolatum gels to manage or prevent feline trichobezoars (hairballs). Additionally, it can be administered via stomach tube to retard the gastrointestinal absorption of specific lipid-soluble toxins (e.g., metaldehyde, kerosene) by acting as a lipid sink. > **Clinical Pearl:** Heavy mineral oil is preferred over light mineral oil for pharmaceutical purposes, as it has a lower tendency to be absorbed from the gut or aspirated during administration.

กลไกการออกฤทธิ์: Mineral oil and petrolatum act purely mechanically within the gastrointestinal tract: * **Lubrication:** Coats the intestinal mucosa and the fecal mass, reducing friction. * **Moisture Retention:** Creates a hydrophobic barrier that prevents the reabsorption of water from the GI tract → increases fecal bulk and softens the stool. * **Transit Time:** The increased bulk and lubrication stimulate peristalsis → decreases intestinal transit time. * **Toxin Sequestration:** Acts as an indigestible lipid sink in the gut lumen, trapping lipid-soluble toxins and preventing their systemic absorption.

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