Chapter 33 - Colic diagnosis Flashcards
Why is knowledge of analgesics and sedatives crucial in interpreting signs of pain and physical examination findings in colic patients?
These medications may alter clinical signs, affecting the accuracy of pain assessment.
How is the heart rate useful in determining prognosis in colic patients with large and small intestinal disease?
It serves as an indicator of the physiologic response to pain, dehydration, and endotoxemia
What conditions are associated with pyrexia in colic patients, and why may they not require immediate surgical intervention?
Conditions like anterior enteritis, colitis, septic peritonitis, and pleuropneumonia; they may not require surgery immediately.
How does capillary refill time aid in the determination of hydration status and diagnosis of endotoxemia in colic patients?
Prolonged capillary refill time and brick-red or purple mucous membranes indicate endotoxemia.
What is the significance of auscultating abdominal borborygmi in colic patients, and how does it help in diagnosis?
It subjectively assesses large intestinal motility, helping diagnose conditions affecting intestinal movement.
How can abdominal sounds similar to a paper bag with sand be used in diagnosing sand impaction in colic patients?
These sounds, heard just caudal to the xiphoid process, suggest sand impaction, contributing to a tentative diagnosis.
What are signs of pain in horses presented for colic, and how is the severity of pain related to the need for surgical intervention?
Signs include pawing, flank-looking, and rolling; severe pain may indicate the need for immediate surgery.
Why is placing an intravenous jugular catheter and beginning fluid therapy prudent during colic examination?
It allows for fluid therapy while further diagnostic procedures are performed.
What is the normal appearance of peritoneal fluid, and how does abnormal fluid appearance aid in diagnosing colic conditions?
Normal fluid is clear to light yellow; turbid and serosanguinous fluid indicates strangulating lesions.
What information can be obtained from the measurement of blood packed cell volume (PCV) and total protein (TP) in colic patients?
It helps quickly assess hydration status and prognosis, with high PCV associated with poor prognosis.
Why are acute-phase proteins like serum amyloid A (SAA) useful in distinguishing between different categories of colic?
Elevated levels, especially SAA, can indicate the need for surgical management.
What is the significance of peritoneal fluid examination in colic patients, and what conditions can be diagnosed using this method?
It aids in diagnosis and prognosis, detecting conditions like strangulating lesions and septic peritonitis.
Why is prompt surgical intervention critical in maximizing the probability of a successful outcome in colic patients?
Delayed exploratory celiotomy may result in visceral rupture or deterioration, reducing the chance of a successful outcome
What is the purpose of administering antimicrobial prophylaxis in colic patients undergoing surgery?
Antimicrobial prophylaxis is administered to reduce the risk of incisional infection, septic peritonitis, and adhesion formation.
What is the prevalence range of incisional surgical site infection (SSI) in colic patients?
The prevalence of incisional SSI has been estimated to be between 3% and 20%.
Which bacterial isolates are commonly associated with incisional infections in colic patients?
Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus spp. are commonly associated with incisional infections.
What antimicrobial is considered a suitable first-choice for gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli?
Gentamicin, a bactericidal aminoglycoside, is considered a suitable first-choice antimicrobial for gram-negative bacteria.
How is the effectiveness of gentamicin dependent?
The effectiveness of gentamicin is dependent on the peak concentration achieved, with a recommended dose of 6.6 mg/kg IV.
Why are penicillin and gentamicin frequently administered together?
Penicillin and gentamicin are administered together for both prophylaxis and treatment due to their synergistic actions.
Which antimicrobial is generally sensitive to gram-positive bacteria like Streptococcus and Staphylococcus spp.?what is the dose?
Penicillin, a bactericidal β-lactam, is generally sensitive to gram-positive bacteria.A dose of 22,000 IU/kg administered intravenously or intramuscularly is recommended for penicillin to achieve effective serum concentration.
What antimicrobials should not be administered for surgical prophylaxis to prevent antimicrobial resistance?
Enrofloxacin and third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins such as ceftiofur and cefquinome should not be administered for surgical prophylaxis.
According to evidence from human surgery, when should antimicrobial administration occur for effective prophylaxis?
Antimicrobial administration should occur within 60 minutes of clean-contaminated surgery
A general rule is that antibiotics should be redosed at one to two times the half-life of the drug from the time the preoperative dose is administered
What should be done if antimicrobials are administered under general anesthesia, considering potential adverse effects?
Potential adverse effects, such as a decrease in blood pressure, should be anticipated and managed as necessary.
Why is preoperative administration of antimicrobials recommended in all colic surgeries?
All colic surgery is potentially clean-contaminated; therefore preoperative administration of antimicrobials is recom-mended. Early (>120 min) or late (<30 min) administration prior to surgery reduces the effectiveness of prophylaxis in humans.
