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Alimentary > Equine Colic > Flashcards

Equine Colic Flashcards

1
Q

What is the usual cause of colic? What else may cause it?

A
  • Usually GI

- May be due to liver/urogenital etc. causes

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2
Q

Which conditions may be confused for colic?

A

Recumbency caused by

  • Laminitis
  • CNS problems
  • Botulism
  • Musculoskeletal pain (typing up and severe lameness)
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3
Q

List some more unusual signs of colic

A

Muscle fasciculations (shivering)
Sweating
Abrasions to head and face
Foals may lie on back like a dog

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4
Q

Do the majority of colics require surgery?

A

NO! 5-7% only

Majority just spasmodic/undiagnosed, minimal intervention required

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5
Q

Give 5 causes of colic

A
  1. Spasmodic/gas - motility? diet? parasites?
  2. Impaction - usually large colon
  3. Displacement - usually large colon
  4. Strangulation
  5. Ulcers
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6
Q

For what 2 reasons are colics referred?

A
  • further evaluation/medical treatment
  • surgery
    > make a diagnosis
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7
Q

What is the first step to take when examining a horse on farm?

A

Assess from a distance - need for immediate treatment?

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8
Q

What history should be obtained for a colic case?

A
  • Age
  • Time of colic onset (or time last seen normal)
  • Severity of colic
  • Treatments currently on or given
  • Previous colic
  • Last passed feaces
  • Management change
  • Worming regime
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9
Q

How many piles of feaces should be passed overnight?

A

6/7

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10
Q

What are the 3 main stages of a colic work up? What else may potentially be carried out?

A

History, PE, NGT

- rectal, abdominocentesis, ultrasound, clin path

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11
Q

What type of colic are older horses predisposed to?

A

Strangulating lipoma in SI

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12
Q

What does a recent change in activity level predispose to?

A

Impaction of LI

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13
Q

What should the focus of an emergency PE be for a colic workup?

A
  • Demeanor, pain
  • TPR
  • Borborygmi (gut sounds)
  • CV status
  • ?abdominal distension
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14
Q

Will horses with simple colic appear depressed?

A

No

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15
Q

When should temperature be taken?

A

Before rectal

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16
Q

What does a febrile colic (pyrexic) suggest?

A

Colitis, enteritis, perotonitis, rupture

Simple colics DO NOT HAVE FEVER

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17
Q

Why may pulse rate be increased other than CV problems?

A

Anxiety/stress
Pain
Hypovolaemia

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18
Q

Why may resp rate be increased other than rep problems?

A

Pain
Anxiety
Abdominal distension

19
Q

What is the normal HR of a horse and what may be seen in a colic?

A

36-40 normal, colic 60-100+

20
Q

How are gut sounds described?

A

+++ Hypermotile
++ Normal
+ Hypomotile
- Absent

21
Q

Are the quadrants of borborygmi representative of certain parts of the gut?

A

No

22
Q

Can horses be “pinged” like a cow? What is pinging?

A

Yes - simultaneous percussion and auscultation

- high pitched ping suggests distension of a viscus (usually LI)

23
Q

How may abdominal distension be assessed?

A

Paralumbar fossa
Ask the owner (without using a leading question)
Usually LI

24
Q

What parameters may be assessed to look at CV status? What do abnormalities suggest?

A
  • MMs
  • CRT
  • Pulse quality
  • Jugular fill
  • Limb temp
    > more complicated colic
25
Q

What should be done after history and PE for all colics?

A

Pass a NGT

  • horses cannot vomit so gastric rupture is possible
  • only way to relieve fluid/gas build up is NGT
  • if >2L passed, indicative of a SI blockage, surgery indicated
26
Q

If you get reflux, what should be given via the NGT?

A

NOTHING!

27
Q

What options are available after passing an NGT?

A
  • monitor
  • medical Tx (analgesia, laxatives, fluids (oral/IV))
  • monitor response to Tx
  • further diagnostics
  • refer?
28
Q

In what situations would monitoring be appropriate?

A
  • short duration colic
  • horse no longer painful
  • PE unremarkable
  • No reflux
29
Q

In what situations would medical Tx be appropriate?

A
  • mild PE abnormalities, no reflux
  • may give analgesia even if horse seems comfortable [be aware masking clinical signs]
  • oral fluids
30
Q

What are the aims of rectal exam?

A
  • ID normal structures
  • ID distension SI/LI
    > gas
    > ingesta (impaction)
  • ID displacements
  • ID abnormal structure (masses etc.)
31
Q

How many friends has Laura got?

A

0

32
Q

How much of the abdomen can be palpated on rectal? Does this usuallly lead to a diagnosis?

A

20-40%

- often dont reach a diagnosis

33
Q

How can the LI be distinguished from the small colon on rectal?

A
  • LI has wide diameter with sacculations and taenial bands (EXCEPT pelvic flexure - smooth with mesenteric band only)
  • Dominates LHS
    Small colon has sacculations, 2 taenial bands and feacal balls
34
Q

Is the SI palpable on rectal?

A

Not normally

35
Q

Which side is the ceacum palpable on?

A

Right

36
Q

What non GIT organs are palpable on the left?

A

Spleen

Kidney

37
Q

What central/symetrical structures are palpable on rectal?

A

Bladder, repro organs, inguinal rings, mesenteric root, aorta

38
Q

Do large colon impactions require surgery?

A

NO

39
Q

What is SI distension said to feel like on rectal?

A

Bike tyres

40
Q

What is the Tx for SI distension?

A
  • Surgery

- NGT immediately if havent already

41
Q

Why may a rectal be indicated/ contraindicated?

A

> helps with diagnosis
helps with prognosis
X risk to you
X risk to horse (rectal tears)

42
Q

What type of needle is used for abdomenocentesis? What information does this provide?

A
  • Teat cannula or normal large needle
  • Assessment of bowel health (compromised gut -> leakage of cells and protein)
  • be aware gut may be hit accidentally -> sampling of intestinal contents *
43
Q

What does ultrasound allow you to evaluate?

A

> decision to go to surgery can be based on this alone

  • peritoneal fluid (^ cells -> hyperechogenicity)
  • size of viscus (SI)
  • position of viscus (LI)
  • liver, kidneys, spleen
44
Q

What does clinical pathology help to evaluate?

A
  • Severity of colic
  • circulatory status
  • electrolyte status
  • PCV and plasma total solids
  • Heamatology and biochem used to differentiate conditions eg. enteritis and choliangiohepatitis

Alimentary (30 decks)

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