EQ Weight loss and chronic colic

Question 1

Define colic

Answer 1

Behavioural manifestation of visceral pain.

Question 2

What causes intestinal colic

Answer 2

Intestinal pain (stretch, inflammation, ischemia) and altered contractility (muscle spasm, ileus)

Question 3

What are the physiological mechanisms of weight loss?

Answer 3

Reduced intake, Reduced digestion/ absorption/ assimilation of food, Increased nutrient loss, Increased nutritional requirement

Question 4

When is colic classed as chronic?

Answer 4

Been happening for 48hrs plus

Question 5

When is colic classed as recurrent?

Answer 5

Shorter bouts than with chronic but keep happening

Question 6

What treatment should a horse who has had a rectal/ duodenal biopsy receive after the procedure?

Answer 6

Tetanus prophylaxis should be up to date, antibiotic therapy

Question 7

What are the most common causes of wt loss?

Answer 7

Dental disorders (reduced intake), parasitism, inadequate diet

Question 8

What history should be assessed when presented with a case of recurrent colic?

Answer 8

Diet (changes), colic history, faecal output/ consistency, otehr medical conditions, worming, dental problems, steriotypies, sand pastures?

Question 9

What methodologies are used for investigation of acute colic?

Answer 9

Rectal exam, clinical signs, NG intubation

Question 10

What preliminary clinical pathology tests should be considered and why when assessing colic cases?

Answer 10

• Enzymes/ bile acids - visceral disease
• WCC, fibrinogen, globulins - inflammatory process
• Albumin - protein loss
• Hypercalcaemia - malignancy? FEC

Question 11

Verminous arteritis

Answer 11

Strongylus vulgaris

Question 12

How can dehydration alter interpretation of TP?

Answer 12

Decreases in TP may be masked by concurrent dehydration

Question 13

In what clinical situations may hypoalbuminaemia occur?

Answer 13

PLE (GI loss), liver disease, effusions

Question 14

Hyperfibrinogenaemia may occur in which clinical situations?

Answer 14

Infection, inflammation, neoplasia

Question 15

Serum amyloid A is an example of what?

Answer 15

Acute phase protein

Question 16

If a horse with colic signs is intermittently febrile what aetiology may be suspected?

Answer 16

Neoplasia, abscess

Question 17

How do you perform an oral glucose absorption test

Answer 17

• The horse to be tested should be fasted for 18-24 hours.
• 1 g glucose per kg body weight is administered by stomach tube.
• Blood samples are collected into fluoride anticoagulant at times 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 mins.
• Glucose levels should peak at double resting (0 mins) levels at 60-120 mins and return to resting levels by 240 mins.

Question 18

What is suggested by normal, partial and complete with an oral glucose absoprtion test?

Answer 18

Normal - 85% increase in blood glucose at 2 hours, decreases

Partial - 15-85% rise in 2 hours. Small intestinal disease, large intestinal disease, normal intestine

Complete - 15% rise in 2 hours. Small intestinal disease

Question 19

Transabdominal ultrasound in colic cases should be used to assess what?

Answer 19

Wall thickness

Luminal diameter

Motility

Anatomy

Question 20

What structures are visible on the right side of the horse with transabdominal US?

Answer 20

Liver cranially

Caecal base and body (body caudally)

Question 21

What structures are visible on the left side of the horse on transabdominal US?

Answer 21

Stomach - rib space 8-13, medial to spleen

Spleen

Small intestine - ventrally, loops

Question 22

What differentials should be expected for protein loosing enteropathies?

Answer 22

• Cyathostominosis
• Mixed strongyle
• Idiopathic
• Infiltrative bowel disease
• Neoplasia
• Lawsonia (3-11 mo)

Question 23

What is infiltrative bowel disease?

Answer 23

Presence of inflammatory cells in the intestinal wall leading to malabsorption and protein-loss.

• Granulomatous - macrophages
• Lymphoplasmacytic - Lymphocytes, plasma cells
• Eosinophilic - Eosinophils

Question 24

What pharaceuticals are used in treatment on infiltrative bowel disease?

Answer 24

Steroids - dexamethasone, prednisolone (monitor for infection and lami)

Anthelmintic

Question 25

Multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease (MEED)

Answer 25

Unknow aetiology

Eosinophilic granulomas, vasculitis, and fibrinoid necrosis of intramural vessels

May also involve skin, coronary band, pancreas, liver etc

Question 26

What clinical signs may be indicative of lymphoma/ disseminated neoplasia?

Answer 26

• Fever
• Wt loss
• Peritonitis
• Pleural effusion
• Abdominal distension
• Palpable mass per rectum
• Hypercalcaemia
• Haemolysis
• Cachexia