Colic Flashcards

1
Q

Windsucking and crib-biting increase the likelihood of which colics?

A

Epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE)

Simple colonic obstruction distension (SCOD)

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2
Q

Bermuda hay increases the likelihood of which colic?

A

Ileal impaction

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3
Q

Changing feed within a 2 week period increases the likelihood of which colics?

A

Large colon volvulus (LCV)

General colic

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4
Q

Lack of dental care increases the likelihood of which colics?

A

Simple colonic obstruction distension (SCOD)

Large colon volvulus (LCV)

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5
Q

When should you consider euthanasia of a horse?

A
Uncontrollable pain despite analgesia
CV compromise (HR > 90, PCV >60, mucus membranes purple)
GI rupture (progressive/marked CV deterioration, sweating, sudden pain reduction, red/brown peritoneal fluid with ingesta)
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6
Q

When does epiploic foramen entrapment usually occur? What behaviour/management changes is it linked with?

A

December-February

Crib-biting/wind-sucking, changing feed, turning out

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7
Q

What is equine grass sickness? What pathogen is it linked with?

A

Equine dysautonomia - a polyneuropathy affecting the CNS and PNS
Botulism - Clostridium botulinum type C

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8
Q

The clinical signs of Equine Grass Sickness (Equine Dysautonomia) are due to neuronal degeneration in the autonomic and enteric nervous system. How is EGS diagnosed?

A

Clinical signs

Histology of ileal biopsy

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9
Q

What are the clinical signs of acute Equine Grass sickness?

A
Colic - reflux, distension
Tachycardia
Sweating 
Salivation
Difficulty swallowing
Ptosis
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10
Q

What are the clinical signs of chronic Equine Grass Sickness?

A
Weight loss
Tachycardia
Dysphagia
Patchy sweating
Muscle fasciulations
Rhinitis
Altered stance - greyhound/elephant on barrel
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11
Q

What horses are prone to Equine Grass Sickness? (age, time of year)

A
Young horses (2-7 yrs)
At pasture - Spring/Autumn
Mechanical faeces removal
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12
Q

How can Equine Grass Sickness be prevented?

A

Avoid turning out to pastures with previous EGS

Supplement with hay/haylage

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13
Q

What is the treatment for Equine Grass Sickness?

A

No treatment- PTS

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14
Q

How are gastric ulcers diagnosed?

A

Gastroscopy

Fast for 16 hours

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15
Q

How are gastric ulcers treated?

A

Omeprazole (proton pump inhibitor)
Ranitidine/cimetidin (histamine receptor antagonist)
Sucralfate (binds to ulcer)

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16
Q

Large colon distension/displacement causes mild-moderate pain. How is it treated initially?

A

Medically

Surgery if worsening

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17
Q

What are the risk factors for large colon impaction? (Management, time of year, bedding)

A

Change in management (stabling or box rest)
Autumn
Straw bedding

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18
Q

Large colon impaction is more severe in which animals?

A

Older horses

Donkeys

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19
Q

Large colon volvulus is common in what type of horses?

A

Large horses

Mares post-foaling

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20
Q

What are the risk factors for large colon volvulus?

A

Increased stabling
Dental disease - quidding 90 days prior
Food changes

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21
Q

Meconium retention in neonates is the failure to pass normal black faeces. How is it treated?

A
Soapy water or phosphate enema
Elevated HLs for 30 mins
Remove feed (leave water)
If passes faeces, offer small amounts of food and return to normal ration.
If not passing faeces repeat
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22
Q

Nephrosplenic entrapment involves displacement of which part of the colon?

A

Left dorsal colon displacement

23
Q

Nephrosplenic entrapment is more common in which horses?

A

Larger horses

Warm bloods

24
Q

Is the treatment for nephrosplenic entrapment surgical or medical?

A

Either
Medical if parameters normal, no CV compromise, no marked distension
Surgical if marked distension

25
Q

How is nephrosplenic entrapment diagnosed?

A

Ultrasound - failure to see L kidney

26
Q

How is nephrosplenic entrapment managed medically?

A

Analgesia
Phenylnephrine infusion over 15 mins (reduces splenic size)
Lunging for 10 minutes
Then reassess

27
Q

Nephrosplenic entrapment can be more serious in older horses, as there is a risk of what?

A

Haemorrhage

28
Q

Pedunculated lipoma strangulation is most common in the small intestine. What horses are at risk of this?

A

Ponies
Geldings
Older age >8

29
Q

Pelvic flexure impaction causes mild to moderate pain. What is a risk factor for impaction?

A

Stabling more than normal

30
Q

How is pelvic flexure impaction diagnosed?

A

Rectal exam - doughy, firm structure in L caudal abdomen

31
Q

How is pelvic flexure impaction treated?

A

Oral fluids every 4 hours until faeces passed
Epsom salts
(May require IVFT or surgery)

32
Q

What causes sand colic?

A

Poor grazing and ingesting sandy soil

Causes impaction of large colon (with secondary displacement/torsion) or irritation to colon

33
Q

How is sand colic diagnosed?

A

Radiography
Sand in faeces or abdominocentesis
‘Seashore’ sound on auscultation

34
Q

How is sand colic treated?

A

Remove sand source
Provide forage with psyllium husk
May require surgery

35
Q

Simple colonic obstruction distension (SCOD) is associated with which risk factors?

A

Crib-biting/windsucking

Less frequent dentals

36
Q

Spasmodic colic causes intestinal spasms resulting in mild pain. How is it treated?

A

Buscopan (butylscopolamine/hyoscine)

Analgesia - PBZ or metamizole

37
Q

Flunixin meglumine is a potent analgesic and anti-endotoxic drug. When is it used in cases of colic?

A

Moderate/severe pain and if no option of referral or known diagnosis

38
Q

What is the best first line NSAID of mild/moderate colic pain? How long does it last for?

A

Phenylbutazone

12 hours

39
Q

Administering PBZ IV should be done cautiously. Why?

A

Extravascular irritant

Can cause Horner’s if disrupts sympathetic trunk

40
Q

What is metamizole?

A

Analgesic drug - part of Buscopan compositum (butyl scopolamine + metamizole)

41
Q

What analgesic is most useful to assess a painful colic case? Why?

A
Xylazine
Short acting (30 mins) - can assess response to analgesia
42
Q

What is the duration of detomidine and romifidine?

A

2-4 hours

43
Q

Romifidine is usually combined with which opioid to manage moderate/severe pain?

A

Butorphanol

44
Q

Oral fluids +/- electrolytes via an NG tube in the ventral meatus is useful for colic cases. How often should they be given? When can they not be given?

A

Every 4 hours

Not an option for refluxing horses

45
Q

What causes horses to reflux?

A

Blockage of GI tract

46
Q

After performing a midline laparotomy on a horse, how is the abdomen closed?

A

2 or 3 layers:
Linea alba/muscle
Subcut tissue
Skin

47
Q

If a horse has post-operative ileus, what should be done to manage this?

A

Decompress stomach
Walk in hand
Gradual increase in feed when suitable

48
Q

When can surgical colics be discharged? What is the recovery plan for the owners?

A
Discharge anytime from day 6
22-24 weeks recovery
8 weeks box rest
8 weeks turn out in small yard/paddock
6-8 weeks turn out in larger paddock and gradual return to exercise
49
Q

How many days after colic surgery are skin sutures removed?

A

10-14 days

50
Q

What is chronic colic?

A

Colic signs of variable intensity for over 48 hours

51
Q

When a horse is experiencing chronic or recurring colic, what should be done to investigate?

A
History - recent diet change, dental history
Full clinical exam 
NG intubation 
Bloods - biochem, haematology
FEC or ELISA for parasites
Abdominocentesis
Transabdominal or transrectal ultrasound
Oral glucose reabsorption test
Rectal or duodenal biopsy
52
Q

In which intercostal spaces does the equine stomach occupy?

A

8-13

If 5+ rib sizes, distended

53
Q

What thickness should the equine stomach wall usually be?

A

7-8mm

54
Q

An oral glucose absorption test is used to test the function of what part of the GI system? What is a normal result?

A

Small intestine function
Normal = >85%
Partial = <85%
Complete = <15%