Equine Colic Flashcards
Diarrhea is the increase in ______, ________, and _________ of bowel movements.
fluid, frequency, volume
What is the mechanism by which Rotavirus causes diarrhea in the horse?
-loss of villi tips in the small intestine results in malabsorption
How does bacterial endotoxins cause increased secretion in the intestines resulting in diarrhea in the horse?
-activate secondary intracellular systems
Can a change in transient time or motility result in diarrhea?
Yes
Iatrogenic causes, such as epsom salts, and grain overload can result in what mechanism causing diarrhea?
osmotic overload
How is increased hydraulic/hydrostatic pressure related to diarrhea in the horse?
colon may be damaged from parasites, for instance, so there is increased hydrostatic pressure in the colon wall which makes it more difficult to absorb fluids
What is the #1 cause of diarrhea in the horse?
idiopathic!
What two species of Salmonella are most commonly causing pathology in the horse? Which subspecies causes 60% of the cases?
-S. enterica, S. bongori
What are the verious O-antigens associated with S. enterica subsp. enterica? Which one is most common in the horse?
-A, B, C1, C2, D,E
What is the most common Salmonella serotype associated with horses with colitis?
S. Typhimurium
What is the gold standard diagnostic for Salmonella infections? What other test is more sensitive?
-gold standard- culture
What are some problems with culturing Salmonella?
-need proper enrichments
How is Salmonella transmitted?
fecal-oral
What are the mechanisms causing diarrhea with Salmonella infections?
-secretory- enterotoxin
What are the “three hallmarks of Salmonella”? Which of these may not always be present?
-fever
Which of these disease syndromes can be caused by Salmonella?
E
What would not be expected on the bloodwork of a horse with Salmonella infection?
E
Which of these labratory results would you expect to be low with low total protein?
A
How many fecal cultures should be taken if you suspect Salmonella is the infectious cause of disease?
3-5, preferrably 5
What is the etiological agent of Potomac Horse Fever?
Neorickettsia risticii
What are some clinical signs seen with PHF?
-anorexia/fever
What % of PHF cases develop laminitis?
20-30%
What would you expect to find on CBC initially with PHF? What about later in the dz?
initially- neutropenia/ left shift
What is the drug often used to treat PHF?
oxytetracycline for 3-5 days
What are some options for fluid administration in horses with diarrhea?
-plain water
what electrolytes might you need to supplement with fluid administration?
-hyponatremia
What can you administer to help with the hypoproteinemia in your patient?
-Plasma
What are some general treatments for patients with endotoxemia?
-NSAID
