Equine: Dental + GI Flashcards
What type of teeth do horses have?
hypsodont teeth - long crowns w/ long root, continuous eruption, enamel folds supported by cementum and dentin
What is the infundibulum or “cups” of horse teeth?
depressions on the occlusal surface of teeth filled with cementum - common place for cavities
What’s a foal and mature dental formula?
Foal - 9mo: 2 (i3/3, c0/0, p3/3) = 24
Mature: 2(I3/3, C1/1, P3(4)/3(4), M3/3) =36-44
mares often have small or no canine/wolf teeth
At what age do all permanant teeth finish erupting?
5 yrs
What is the curvature of spee? Curvature of wilson?
Spee - natural upward curve of back of teeth w/ mandible
Wilson - Occlusal plane of caudal teeth across arcades (like a rainbow)
What are some signs of dental dz?
“quidding”
difficulty chewing, washing mouth out in water bucket, weight loss, nasal discharge, facial swelling, malodorous breath, issue with bridle/bit
Why might one do regular floating?
sharp points develop along outer edges of upper cheek teeth + inside edge of lower cheek teeth. May lacerate tongue + cheek
Any teeth not in occlusion prone to overgrowth
When can dental dz happen? What types of dental dz or abnormalities are there?
caries
fractured teeth
step/wave mouth
hooks/ramps
abnormal diastema
routine development of enamel points
ectopic teeth - dentigerous cyst
supernumerary teeth
How can we tx, prevent dental dz? prognosis?
tx by carious lesions filled, or extraction
prevent by reg oral exams and floating
px good
What is esophageal obstruction?
choke - feed obstructs esophageous!! NOT airway
caused by dry beet pulp, hay cubes, alfalfa pellets, poor dentition, “bolters”, too large treats
signs = extending neck, pacing, leaving feed, repeated swallowing, retching, white or green frothy nasal discharge
What do we advise a client with a horse suspected with choke?
remove all feed, water and bedding till vet arrives
How do we tx and prevent choke? prognosis?
tx - meds to relax esophagus, pass nasogastric tube, system antibiotics to prevent pneumonia
prevent by regular dental care, soak hard feed, discourage bolting (feed puzzles, feed thru muzzles)
px good if no aspiration
What is equine gastric ulcer syndrome?
ES/GGD (squamous or glandular)
very common - factors include horses secrete gastric fluid continuously, any high concentrate diets, stress, high speed exercise, very course stalky feed (eGGD)
How do we diagnose EGUS?
- clin signs - mild colic, off feed but more commonly water, weight loss if chronic, reduced performance, bruxism
- gastroscopy - fast for 6hr prior
How do we treat EGUS? Preventive? Prognis?
tx with gastroprotectants - omeprazole, ranitidine
prevention - alfalfa hay, constant grazing/frequent meals, preventative dose gastroprotectants, avoid exercise on empty stomach, antacides prior to exercise
px excellent
What is the clinical signs of colitis? what happens if its severe
EMERGENCY! endotoxemia + electrolyte loss
Signs = colic, watery diarrhea, depression, anorexia, and 2nd laminitis
What is the etiology of colitis?
salmonella, clostridial, neorickettsia (potomac horse fever), NSAIDs, antibiotics
How can we tx/prevent colitis?
tx w/ hospitalization in isolation on IV fluids, ice boots and supportive care
prevent with avoid oral antibiotics, PHF: avoid welands w/ snails + vx available
unusually unavoidable
What is colic? What can it be caused from? What can it mimic?
abdominal pain
caused by Gi - gas, impaction, obstruction, urinary stones, liver inflam, labor
mimicks pleuropneumonia, laminitis, fracture
What are some associated risk factors with colid?
dehydration, coarse feed, sudden dec in exercise, feeding meals high in non structural carbs
normal anatomy - cecum, pelvic flexure + btw/ sm+lrg colon common impactions
What are the signs of mild VS severe colic
mild - reluctance to move, flank watching, lying down, pawing, teeth grinding
severe - kicking, stretching, rolling, refusal to stand, sweating, depressed
What are some instructions to give to the client if your horse is colicing?
avoid giving meds to not mask symptoms w/ analgesics, no food but can have water, prevent horse from rolling, stay safe themselves
How can we classify colid is in the small intestine vs large?
sml - rapid progressions of signs (reflux, endotoxemia), usually sx, px poor to good
Lg - mild, slow progression of signs, usually medical, px good to excellent
What types of colic might there be?
gas, motility issues:spasmodic vs ileus, displacement, entrapment(LDD), volvulus, strangulation, obstruction, impaction, infection
How can we treat colic medically vs sx?
make decision to go to sx QUICKLY
What is the colic workuP/
- Hx+Pe - >100 = pain, gut sounds, water?
- Blood gas values
- PCV, TP
- Sedation/analgesics
- Rectal exam, 5. nasogastric intubation
- Jug IV cath, 8. Abdomintocentesis
- IV fluids - hypertonic, isotonic (LRS)
What is an abdomintocentesis?
taking fluid from the abdomen.
What does 7.2% hypertonic saline for for colic fluids?
rapidly restore systemic volume by drawing interstitial reserve into the vessels by hyperosmotic draw
>5% dehydrated or systemic lactate >4 mmol/L
1L hypertonic saline = 10L of normotonic fluids
MUST BE FOLLOWED BY AT LEAST ^^
Never sure if stomach entirely empty so bolus 8L every one-2 hours
What is the shock bolus rate for equines?
20mL/kg over 30-60 min (29mlx500kg=10L LRS over 30/50 min)
OR 1L hyperton saline+
reassess
2 times maintenance until remainder replaces
ain’t = 2mL/kg/hr (2x2mlx500kg=2L/hr)
