Equine Flashcards
predisposition of colic
: neonatate (entercolitis, meconium retention), geriatric (strangulating pedcunculated lipoma, large colon impaction), pregnant mares (uterine torsion, large colon displacement/volvulis)…
signalment of colic
age, gender, breed
cause of colic
gut “spasm” resulting from a change in diet/routine
twisting of a part of the intestine with consequent strangulation of its blood supply.
Can be impaction, parasites, high in grain, dental issues, feed that is mouldy, dehydration, ingesting sand, NSAID over time
signs of colic
respiration: tachypnoea = pain, enlarge nostrils
- bloating, distress, agitation, sweating, stretching, sitting, lack of movement sounds in gut
- mild = dullness, curling up of top lip, straining to urinate
- severe = can cause horse to roll and throw itself about in an uncontrolled and dangerous manner
mild dehydration
- bright/quiet, responsive, HR <48bpm, MM pink, tachy, warm extremities, good jugular refill
moderate dehydration and hypovolemia
- quiet but alert and responsive, HR 62-76bpm, MM variable, tachy to dry, cooler extremities, slow jugular refill, pulse quality variable
severe dehydration and hypovolemic shock
- dull mentation, Hr 8-012bpm, dry/pale MM, cool extremities, peripheral pulse difficult to palpate
diagnosis of colic
- Probing = 5-10x check for fluid, empty the tube and kink it, slowly pull out the tube
Abdominocentesis
- most ventral part of abdomen to the right
- 18G needle, EDTA tube, biochemical test tube, teat cannula
FLASH – fast localised abdominal sonography of the horse
- shortened exam
- 7 key abdominal windows
- final diagnosis made with US
- patient monitoring
US = peritonitis, hemoperitoneum, diaphragmatic hernia, masses, urolithiasis
Lab work = 1st evaluation
- haematological examination = haematocrit, leucocytosis/leukopenia
- biochemistry = urea, creatinine, glucose, TP, albumin
- acid – base status and electrolytes
Lactate
- transition of aerobic to anaerobic metabolism
- decreased renal excretion due to hypoperfusion
Endoscopy – gastroscopy
- oesophagus, stomach, proximal duodenum,
rectum
- fasting 8-12 hr before procedure
- sedation
- through ventral nasal passage, 3 m long endoscope
Faecal tests = parasitology + bacteriology (salmonellosis, clostridiosis)
treatment for colic
Medical therapy
- treat visceral pain, re-establish bowel passage, establish acid-base balance, walking
- rehydrate horse, treat endotoxemia, bacterial/parasitic infection
- analgesic, liquid, mineral oil and laxative
- NSAID
o meloxicam, firocoxib, flunixin-meglumine, metamizole sodium
o complication: kidney tubule necrosis, ulceration of the stomach + damage to the MM of the jejunum and colon
- a2, a2 adrenergic agonist
o inability to cure pain with flunixin
o xylazine, detomidine reduce intestinal motility
- Opoiod analgetic
o morphine, buprenorphine, butorphanol = reduce intestinal motility, excitation
- Spasmium
o spasmolytic and analgetic 0.2mg/kg IV, shortened tachycardia, combined with NSAIDs, metamizole sodium
- Laxative
Surgical management
Nasogastric intubation
- in every horse, immediately on admission
- transparent tubes of multiple sizes, 2 buckets of water
- pH measurements + preparing the horse, sedation
- ventral nasal passage to the pharynx, ventroflexion of the neck, push the tube in when swallowed, turning and blowing in the probe
prognosis of colic
guarded
simple oesophageal obstruction predisposition
freisians
cause of simple oesophageal obstruction
ingestion of material that when swallowed, becomes impacted in the oesophagus + doesn’t pass into stomach
signs of simple oesophageal obstruction
passage of ingesta and saliva down the nostrils, coughing, stretching of the neck, pain and distress, dysphagia,
diagnosis of simple ossophageal obstruction
- resentment of cranial oesophageal palpation
- may be obvious swelling
- resistance to passage of nasogastric tube
treatment of simple oesophageal obstruction
- heavy sedation and lavage via nasogastric tube
- broad spectrum ATB
- maintain soft diet for 7 days post relief of obstruction
prognosis of simple oesophageal obstruction
mostly good, but depends on severity of the impaction
differential of simple oesophageal obstruction
oral foreign bodies, dysphagia due to neurological disease, periodontal disease, periodontal
retropharygneal abscesation (strangles) predisposition
all ages – young and elderly at risk of severe disease , poor condition + genera management and general stress factors
cause of strangles
strep eqiu
signs of strangles
dysphagia, cough, dyspnoea, lymphadenitis, pyrexia, retropharyngeal pain and swelling, maybe guttural pouch involvement/ subcutaneous emphysema
diagnosis of strangles
history of colic/nasogastric intubation, endoscopy or radiography, bacteriology, CBC (maybe leukocytes, neutrophils), biochemistry (plasma: fibrinogen)
treatment of strangles
attempt to establish drainage, may require tracheotomy, total parenteral nutrition, attempt to gauge severity of trauma and lesions size before starting
prognosis of strangles
poor
expected sequelae of strangles
dysphagia, fasciitis, aspiration pneumonia, sepsis, potential for mediastinitis, similar signs to oesophageal rupture
recurrent oesophageal obstruction (signs, diagnosis, treatment)
Signs: recurrent bouts of choke, tends to deteriorate with age in congenital cases due to poor wall tone
Diagnosis: endoscopy, double contrast oesophageal and radiographic investigation of aspiration
Treatment: cervical pulsatile diverticula can be repaired surgically, can empty manually In some horses, dietary management only for large diverticuli at thoracic inlet
equine gastric disroder
Parasitic infection: gasterophilus larvae
Dysmotility: equine dysautonomia, acute gastric dilatation, gastric impaction, chronic gastric dilatation
Ulcerative: equine gastric ulceration syndrome, perforation and rupture
Neoplastic: squamous cell carcinoma
Inflammatory: inflammatory polyps, glandular ulceration and gastritis
Acute gastric distension: acute colic, possible rupture, peristonitis, endotoxemia
Chronic gastric distension: weight loss and reduced rate of feed intake, increased water intake, recurrent mild colic
Chronic inflammation: may be symptom free, progressing to acute colic, change in dietary preference
Chronic ulceration: loss of performance, decreased forward movement, anterior abdominal pain
acute gastric dilation predisposition
sporadic
acute gastric dilation associated with
reflux of intestinal contents secondary to acute intestinal obstruction, ingestion of excess fluid/feedstuff or acute idiopathic dilation after racing
signs of acute gastric dilation
acute abdominal pian, spontaneous nasogastric reflux, progressive acidosis, endotoxemia, colic
diagnosis of acute gastric dilation
based on presentation, nasogastric reflux without other identifiable cause
treatment of acute gastric dilation
gastric decompression and lavage
- IV fluid support, correction of acidosis + management of endotoxemia
complication of acute gastric dilation
endotoxemia sequelae (laminitis, acute renal failure), gastric (transient loss of motility, delayed emptying, serosal tear)
acute gastric impactin
Firm accumulation of food in stomach, causes stomach to become enlarged and can rupture
cause of acute gastric imapction
poor dentition, old age, trichobezoars, persimmon seeds, inappropriate feeding
signs of acute gastric impaction
acute colic at presentation, endotoxemia, possible rupture
diagnosis of gastric impaction
- resistance to stomach tube
- enlargement gastric outline
- stomach may be palpable
- gastroscopy
- transcutaneous US
treatment of acute gastric impcation
Gastric lavage – remove soluble material
Continuous lavage
- 5 L/h as continuous infusion via indwelling tube
- position in terminal oesophagus – connect to overhead hanger
- alternate electrolyte with water to prevent Na overload
- daily mineral oil
prognosis of acute gastric imapction
good
predisposition of chronic gastric impaction
not known, increased in warmbloods
signs of chronic gastric impaction
failure to gain weight/weight loss, change in abdominal silhouette, change in demeanour, ventral oedema, acute colic +/- prior recurrent colic
treatment of chronic gastric impaction
- no forage other than grass, complete pelleted ration if required
- prolonged continuous gastric lavage
- aim to empty stomach
prognosis of chronic gastric impaction
- progressive further dilatation of stomach
- spontaneous rupture possible
- 2-4 years from presentation
- dependent on speed of initial diagnosis
- lifelong diligent management needed
equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS)
squamous erosion and ulceration
glandular ulceration (and inflammation)
predisposition of squamous erosion and ulceration
- decreased access to grazing, high intake of concentrate rations, NSAIDs, crib-biting, prolonged periods without forage, pregnancy and other GI disorders
signs of squamous erosion and ulceration
- loss of performance, decreased feed intake, colic as severity increases
diagnosis of squamous erosion and ulceration
- gastroscopy, sucrose absorption may be herd screening tool
Stratified squamous ulceration scores:
- 0-4, with lesions more than 3 of clinical significance
- surface area Is primary determinant of score
- “crater” lesions, superficial erosions may appear due to fasting requirement
management of squamous erosion and ulceration
- increased access to forage and grazing
- decrease or stop concentrate feeds
- decreased intensity of exercise
- chaff feeds prior to exercise
- reduce other stressors
prevention of squamous erosion and ulceration
- improved management to reduce risk factors
- gastroguard 1mg/kg at start of training
signs of glandular ulceratoin
Signs:
- erythema to ulceration, flat/raised/depressed/haemorrhagic/diphtheritic/proliferative
- raised inflammatory or diphtheritic lesions more significant
Refractory lesions:
- doxycycline 10mg/kg BID in sucralfate carrier, further 4 week course of omeprazole
Equine glandular polyps
- current colic: weight loss, short episodes of acute pain
Inflammatory polyps:
- longer treatment course, strict dietary control, life long management
treatment for EGUS
- omeprazole 4mg/kg SID 4-6 weeks
- tapered dose for 2 weeks
- sucralfate 20mg/kg 3-4 x daily
duodenal biopsy technique
- fasted for min of 14 hr
- detomidine may reduce frequency of small intestinal contractions
- collection of “bites” from same site with gastroscopic biopsy forceps – increases depth of sample
- 6 samples from diameter of duodenum
- submission in biopsy tray in 5% formol saline
equine asthma definition
chronic lung disorder that is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstructions manifested by laboured breathing accompanied especially by wheezing and coughing and by a sense of constriction in the chest and is triggered by hyperreactivity to various stimuli
equine asthma predisposition
environmental causes, genetics, infection (bacteria, viruses)
cause of equine asthma
: organic and inorganic particles, familial predisposition, infections
pathogenesis of equine asthma
not fully defined - airway hyperresponsiveness – inhalation allergens
signs of equine asthma
inflammation, bronchoconstriction, mucus production, bronchospasm, nasal discharge, exercise intolerance and respiratory difficulty
diagnosis of equine asthma
history, clinical exam, T, HR, RR, Ln.N, nasal discharge, cough, nostrils airflow, auscultation of thorax, rebreathing examination, haematology, endoscopy, respiratory endoscopy
Tracheal wash
- transtracheal or endoscopic + cytology and bacteriology
BAL
- blind or endoscope + cytology
- through the scope – 2m scope
- 1% lidocaine for cough suppression – 2 locations x20ml
- 240ml of warm saline
- frothy sample
- cytology
treatment of equine asthma
Environment
- 24h/day in the pasture, dust, bedding, ventilation, bring out horse when cleaning
Systemic corticosteroids
- anti-inflammatory effect
- decreases reactiivy + enhances functionality
- prednisolone or dexamethasone
Inhalation corticosteroids
- fluticasone propionate: most potent, long-lasting minimal adrenal suppression, effect lasts 24-48hr
- beclomethasone dipropionate: long lasting effect, cheaper
Bronchoconstriction: bronchodilators always combined with dust control +/- cortisteroids
- b2 adrenergic agonist:
o clenbuterol, salbutamol (albuterol), salmeterol
anticholinergic:
o smooth muscle
o atropine, N-butylscopolamine bromine, ipratropium bromide
prognosis of equine asthma
serve asthma: not curable, significant improvement in environmental3 hygiene
IAD 0 inflammatory airwayy disease definition
mild to moderate asthma
predisposition of IAD
all age and breed, racehorses
diagnosis of IAD
clinical exam (poor performance, intermittent cough, nasal discharge)
- mild to moderate increase in neutrophils, eosinophils and mast cell
- clinical signs of lower respiratory tract disease
- endoscopy and cytology of BAL
classification of IAD
Upper respiratory tract disease:
- infectious: influenzas, strangles etc
- non-infectious: structural and functional abnormalities of the pharynx, larynx and nasal passage
Lower respiratory tract disease:
- infectious: pneumonia, pleuropneumonia
- non-infectious (asthma, and EIPH)
differentials of IAD
ROA, viral infection, bacterial bronchitis, pleuropneumonia, parasitic lung invasion, neoplasia, upper airway inflammation
RAO - recurrent airway obstruction (severe equine asthma) definition
recurrent lower airway obstruction
predisposition of RAO
6-10 years, uncommon in young
cause of RAO
environmental, genetic, horses >8 years, domestic disease, pollen, common resp infections
signs of RAO
bronchoconstriction, mucus production and bronchospasms, tachypnoea and cough at rest, poor performance, difficulty breathing at rest, expiratory whistles
diagnosis of RAO
clinical signs + history, BAL, tracheal aspirates
treatment of RAO
palliative only, remove allergens, improve management, corticosteroids, bronchodilators
prognosis of RAO
clinical signs reversible on removal of allergens
differentials of RAO
bacterial pneumonia, lungworm infection, lung abscess, pulmonary neoplasia
areas of cardiac auscultation
- mitral valve: left 5th ICS halfway between shoulder and sternum
- Aortic valve – left 4th ICS just below point of shoulder
- Pulmonic valve – left 3rd ICS just below point of shoulder
- Tricuspid valve – right 3rd-4th ICS
heart sounds in horse
- S1, S2, S3, S4 audible in healthy horses
- S4 audible in nearly all horses
- S3 audible about 30% of time
- Splitting of S1/S2 sometimes occurs
ECG in horse
base apex ECG lead 1
equine atrial fibrillation
Most important arrhythmia affecting performance in athletic horses
predisposition of equine atrial fibrillation
horses predisposed to AF due to large atrial mass (size)
cause of equine atrial fibrillation
autonomic imbalance during exercise, myocardial disease, atrial dilation
signs of atrial fibrillation
poor performance, epistaxis during exercise
AF without heart disease
- poor performance and exercise intolerance
- CO at rest is normal
- check for mitral/tricuspid regurgitation, aortic regurgitation
- CBC and chemistry, heart rate, ECG
AF with heart disease
- myocardial disease or myocardial scarring, valvular disease with heart enlargement, increased HR, grade 3/6 or loud murmur, atrial enlargement
- treat heart disease
diagnosis of AF
ECG (absence of P wave, irregularly irregular), auscultation
treatment of AF
standard therapies: digoxin, flecainide (minimal efficacy), quinidine sulphate/gluconate (most used), amiodarone (some efficacy and side effects), transvenous electrical conversion
- <48 h = no treatment; observe for spontaneous conversion
- >48 h but <7 days = consider IV quinidine gluconate if available if not, oral QS or TVEC
- >48 h but < 4 months = consider either oral QS or TVEC
- > 4 months = consider TVEC or oral QS
prognosis of AF
- duration <4 months, HR <60min, murmur <3/6 = 95% conversion rate, 25% recurrence rate, return to racing in 48hr
- duration > 6 months, HR <60/min, murmur <3/6 = 80% conversion rate, 60% recurrence rate, return to racing in 24- 48hr
atrial/ventricular premature contractions (cause, sign, diagnosis and treatment)
Cause: electrolyte depletion, myocardial disease
Signs: premature beat worsens with exercise and reduce CO leading to exercise intolerance, minimal or no symptoms at rest
Diagnosis: chemistry and UA with fractional excretion of electrolytes to assess electrolyte homeostasis, CBC, 24hr ECG
Treatment: rest
cause of equine ventricular tachycardia
severe systemic disease (intestinal disease; colic and infectious disease) or underlying heart disease (myocarditis)
pathogenesis of VT
most severe myocardial disease, can affect cardiac output at rest, can lead to V-fib