Equine GI Flashcards
what is colic?
abdominal pain
what are the clinical signs of colic?
flank watching lying down pawing the ground rolling repeated getting up/down violent thrashing
what is the possible pathophysiology of colic?
anything preventing progression of intestinal content
simple obstruction
strangulating obstruction
intravascular occlusion
what causes shocking severe colic cases?
loss of vascular supply leads to absorption of endotoxins causing SIRS (systemic inflammatory response system)
what are the types of colic?
spasmodic impactions gas distention instruction non-strangulating infarction inflammation idiopathic
what initial advise should be given to owners with a colicing horse?
put in bedded walled stables
remove anything that can cause injury
allow them to roll
short periods of walking ok
what should be done first in violently painful colic cases?
assess heart rate (first)
administer IV xyalzine
history and clinical exam
what should be found in a history for colicing horses?
signalment and pregnancy status stereotypic behaviour management - feeding, bedding, turnout parasite control dental care medications and colic history
what is looked for on initial evaluation of colicing horses?
disturbances to bed
skin abrasions
abdominal distention
what is the heart rate of a horse?
28-44bpm
how should the MM of horses appear?
pink
CRT <2s
dark ring around gum margin
what is the respiratory rate of a horse?
12-15 bpm
what is the normal temperature of a horse?
37.5-38.5
what is the normal sounds of the intestine called?
intestinal borborygmi
what tests can be careered out after auscultation of the abdomen?
rectal exam abdominocentesis nasogastric intubation haematology abdominal ultrasound
what are the most common abnormalities on rectal examination?
distended SI impacted pelvic flexure left dorsal displacement right dorsal displacement large colon torsion caecal impaction small colon impaction
where is abdominocentesis taken from?
ventral midline
what colour should peritoneal fluid be?
straw colour (clear yellow)
what is assessed visual regarding peritoneal fluid?
quantity
colour (straw colour)
clarity (clear)
ingesta present (rupture)
what is assessed in the lab regarding peritoneal fluid?
total protein
white blood cell count
lactate
what is the total protein of peritoneal fluid?
<20g/L
what is the lactate of peritoneal fluid?
<2mmol/L
why do nasogastric tubes need to be passed?
if there is an obstruction the stomach secretions will build up until the stomach ruptures
how much fluid would cause a concern if obtained from a nasogastric tube?
> 2L
what is normal PCV of a horse?
35-45%
what is the normal systemic total protein of a horse?
60-70g/L
what is the most common cause of neonatal colic?
meconium compaction
bladder rupture and congenital issue can also be seen
what is the most common cause of colic in donkeys?
impaction
when is grass sickness most commonly seen?
April/may
what is equine dysautonomia?
grass sickness
how much water is absorbed by the large colon each day?
> 100L
how much diarrhoea is produced by a horse per day?
90-100L
what possible mechanisms can lead to diarrhoea?
malabsorption increased secretion osmotic overload abnormal motility extravasation of fluid (oedema)
what does acute diarrhoea in horses indicate?
colitis (or typhlocolitis)
which part of the intestine is effected to cause diarrhoea in adult horses?
LI always (SI alone doesn’t cause diarrhoea)
which part of the intestine is effected to cause diarrhoea in foals?
LI and SI (can occur with just SI)
can colonic pathology occur without diarrhoea?
yes
what are some things that can cause chronic diarrhoea?
dietary dental disease parasites antimicrobials NSAIDs neoplasm sand ingestion
what are the most common causes of acute diarrhoea?
idiopathic
salmonella
clostridia
drug induced
what are the predisposing factors for acute diarrhoea?
antibiotics transport competition hospitalisation surgery stress
what are the most important presenting signs of acute diarrhoea?
depression
fever
what is the pathophysiology of acute diarrhoea?
fluid loss
mucosal inflammation, ischeamia and reperfusion injury
breakdown of GI mucosal barrier
