Diseases of the equine proximal GI tract Flashcards
Dyspahgia
Difficulty with/inability to swallow
Why is dysphagia a problem
Lack of adequate nutritional intake
Secondary aspiration pneumonia
Welfare
Prepharyngeal dysphagia
Dropping feed, hypersalivation, cannot prehend feed
Pharyngeal and post-pharyngeal dysphagia
Coughing, nasal discharge (food/water), neck extension when swallowing
Potential painful causes of dysphagia
Dental abscesses
Temporohyoid osteoarthropathy
Foreign bodies, trauma
Potential obstructive causes of dysphagia
Oesophageal obstruction
Retropharyngeal abscess
Thyroid mass
Potential neurological causes of dysphagia
Forebrain or brainstem disease
Prehension: CN V, VII, XII
Transfer of bolus to pharynx: CN V, XII
Swallowing: CN X (and IX? Disproven?)
Neuro/muscular disease e.g.:
* Guttural pouch disease (strangles, mycosis, etc.)
* Grass sickness
* Botulism
* Megaoesophagus
* Hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis
Media compartment of guttural pouch
Internal carotid artery
Fold containing CN IX, XI, XII; CN X ventrally
Cranial sympathetic ganglia
Lateral compartment of guttural pouch
External carotid and maxillary arteries
CN VII, VIII, and mandibular branch V near wall
Clinical signs of oesophageal obstruction
Head and neck outstretched
Food from nostrils
Coughing
Distressed or very quiet
§ Occasionally mistaken for colic
Some horses panic
Risk factors for oesophageal obstruction
Poor dentition
Rapid ingestion dry feed
Eating when heavily sedated
Underlying oesophageal disease
§ Diverticula
§ Abscesses
§ Neoplasia
§ Functional disease
DIagnosis of oesophageal disease
Palpate neck (left)
§ May feel impacted bolus of food
Pass nasogastric tube (carefully)
Endoscopy
§ Likely to be performed in complicated cases that are not resolving
§ Not expected on first opinion initial visit
Treatment of oesophageal obstruction
Tell owner to take feed away
Sedate (heavily)
§ Head must be low
Buscopan?
§ Smooth muscle relaxant – distal oesophagus
Oxytocin?
§ Smooth muscle relaxant – proximal oesophagus
Pass nasogastric tube
Gentle lavage with plain water
§ This tends to work best for feed matter
Endoscopy if not resolving, may require referral
Management of oesophageal obstruction
Warn owner regarding aspiration pneumonia risk
§ Antimicrobials – I would select doxycycline (on cascade)
Check teeth
Check diet
Sloppy feed for 48 hours – easily palatable and swallowed. Start to reintroduce longer fibre length after this if the horse is managing well
Sequellae to oesopahgeal obstruction
Secondary aspiration pneumonia
§ Can be severe/fatal
§ Prophylactic antimicrobials
Oesophageal ulceration
§ Some vets will give sucralfate to cases with moderate-severe ulceration
Oesophageal diverticula
Oesophageal rupture
§ Very bad prognosis, esp. if in thorax
Stricture formation