11. Examine the abdomen and the gastrointestinal tract of the horse and summarise the findings

Question 1

Examination steps:

Answer 1

1. Inspection
2. Palpation
3. Auscultation
4. Percussion
5. Rectal palpation
6. Ng-tubing
7. Abdominocentesis
8. Ultrasound

Question 2

Secondary examination steps:

Answer 2

1. X-ray
2. Endoscopy
3. Laparoscopy
4. Laparotomy

Question 3

Name the different abdominal regions:

Answer 3

1. Epigastrium = Upper region (dorsal)
2. Mesogastrium = middle
3. Hypogastrium = lower (ventral)

Question 4

Where on the horse do we perform inspection?

Answer 4

1. From behind
2. From the front
3. From both sides
4. From below

Question 5

What on the horse do we perform inspection?

Answer 5

1. Shape: is there symmetry?
2. Volume: is there a distension?
3. Movements

Question 6

Which parameters do we check for with palpation?

Answer 6

1. Heat
2. Thickness
3. Swelling
4. Tense
5. Pain
6. Sensitivity

Question 7

Auscultation:

Answer 7

We detect normal and abnormal sounds

We listen to 2 areas per side, and 1 minute per area.

Question 8

Which areas do we perform auscultation and which structure/organ can we listen to?

Answer 8

1. Left upper = Colon, small intestine
2. Left lower = Left ventral colon, pelvic flexure
3. Right upper = Head of caecum, ileocecal sound
4. Right lower = right ventral large colon

Question 9

Normal sounds with auscultation:

Answer 9

1. Gurgling
2. Murmuring
3. Splashing

Question 10

Abnormal sound with auscultation and what to they indicate?

Answer 10

1. Increased sounds = enteritis, colitis
2. Decreased sound/no sound = impaction, shock ,ileus