Diseases of the Large Intestine, Pt. 2 Flashcards
How do SI and LI obstructions most commonly present? What are the 3 most common reasons to refer?
SI = reflux due to an accumulation of fluid in the stomach
LI = gassy abdominal distension - bloat
- high heart rate (dehydration and shock)
- reflux upon stomach tube placement
- serosanguinous abdominal fluid (dead bowel)
Why is acute diarrhea considered a snowball effect? What complications are associated?
it starts as a small incident but if it remains chronic, it leads to dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and impaired cardiovascular function
sepsis, endotoxemia, immune compromise, superinfection, infarction, thrombosis, laminitis, coagulopathy, inflammation
What bacterial cause of acute diarrhea requires a culture along with PCR for diagnosis?
Salmonella
Where does equine coronavirus (ECoV) typically start? What signs are most common?
begins in the SI, causing necrosis and sloughing
anorexia, lethargy, fever > diarrhea, colic
What are 2 signs on bloodwork indicative of equine coronavirus (ECoV) infection? How is it diagnosed?
- leukopenia
- hyperammonemic encephalopathy
fecal PCR
What is the most frequence species of Salmonella to cause diarrhea in horses? What are 3 risk factors?
S. enterica serovar typhimurium
- stress - surgery, broodmare status
- carriers
- antibiotics
Why are salmonella infections especially important to prevent/maintain?
zoonotic and virulence potential
What is the most common sign of Salmonellosis in horses? What else is seen?
acute colitis - profuse, initially hemorrhagic diarrhea, occasional abdominal pain before the diarrhea breaks (not recommended to walk for relief!)
- fever, depression, dehydration
- tachycardia
- sepsis, endotoxemia: dark line over teeth
- CV shock
- vascular leak syndrome, coagulopathy
How is Salmonellosis diagnosed?
- culture: 3-5 fecal samples 12-24 hr apart with 5-10 g of feces on selective media or mucosal biopsy culture
- PCR screening
How is Salmonellosis treated? Prevented? What is indicative of a poor prognosis?
- fluid therapy with colloids or plasma
- Flunixine meglumine
- antimicrobials: Penicillin, Gentamycin, Enrofloxacin
- anticoagulants
> 10 days of diarrhea
biosecurity - cleaning, disinfection, isolation
What causes Potomac Horse Fever? When is infection most common?
Equine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis - Neorickettsia risticii infecting trematodes or aquatic insects (mayflies, caddisflies) ingested by horses (accidental host)
June-November in areas within 5 miles of river/water
What cells are infected with Potomac Horse Fever? How are horses in stables infected?
monocytes, macrophages, intestinal epithelium
aquatic insects (mayflies, caddisflies) find their way into horses’ water source
What are the 2 stages of PHF? What are the most common signs?
1st fever = 1-3 days following ingestion, typically unnoticed
2nd fever = 5-7 days later when organism moves from blood to colon
- diarrhea
- colic
- fever, anorexia, depression
- abortions
What is commonly the only sign of PHF in 30% of horses? How is it diagnosed?
laminitis
- fecal AND blood PCR (infection monocytes and macrophages!)
- serology (IFA): not considered diagnostic, indicates exposure
What 2 antimicrobials are recommended for treating PHF? What are 3 additional treatment strategies?
- oxytetracycline - q12h for 4 days, fever should resolve in 48h, diarrhea should resolve in 24-72h
- doxycycline - q12-24h, less effective due to decreased absorption
- fluids, plasma, colloids
- Flunixine meglumine
- vaccination in early Spring to mid Summer to decrease incidence - has unreliable efficacy due to multiple strains of N. risticii
What are the 2 main etiologies of Clostridial diarrhea?
- C. difficile - colitis in adults, Toxin A enterotoxin and Toxin B cytotoxin, risk increased with antimicrobial administration or hospitalization
- C. perfringens - occasional cause of colitis, types A-E based on exotoxin, risk based on age and environmental persistence
What are the major clinical signs of Clostridial diarrhea in foals and adults?
FOALS - hemorrhagic diarrhea, sepsis, gas/fluid-filled small intestine (intramural)
ADULTS - diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, fever, severe toxemic colitis
What are 4 diagnostics used for C. difficile diarrhea?
- culture with selective media - further testing needed to determine if isolates ar toxigenic
- antigen ELISA - initial
- Toxin A/B ELISA
- PCR for TcdA and TcdB - quick!
What are 4 diagnostics used for C. perfringens diarrhea?
- culture - shedding common in healthy horses!
- culture + PCR (toxin genes)
- toxin ELISA - enterotoxin only
- PCR