Equine GI Flashcards
Most of non hCHO reaches LI. What are the products of this fermentation?
CH4
VFAs
CO2
How are gases produced by fermentation released?
Flatulence
What happens to VFAs produced by fermentation?
Absorbed by LI mucosa
What happens to all microbial protein, hence why rabbits practice coprophagy>
Egested
As are some VFAs
What are the differences between the way horses and ruminants handle hCHO? Which animals have more amylolytic enzymes
Ruminants - hCHO immediately fermented, none passes to SI
Equine - lots of hCHO can pass to SI if overloaded capacity
RUminants - higher hCHO
The equine gut is more capable of absorbing AAs, hence less being taken up by microbes. Why is this good?
All microbial proteins egested.
How do microbes receive sufficient nitrogen?
Urea secretion in SI/LI
Horses can change gut transit time. Why is this an advantage?
Low quality food - can speed up transit time so can eat more
What seperates the ileum and colon?
Ileocolic valve
longitudinal muscle in the intestines is not continuous. How is it arranged? What does this result in? What does this enable?
Bonds
Sacculations - sacs/pouches
Delayed transit time and more mixing
What are VFAs used for in the equine diet?
Energy
Acetate- liver, oxidised to ATP, source of acetyl Co A for lipid synthesis
Propionate - gluconeogenesis
Butyrate - energy production and homeostasis
Describe VFA and water absorption in the equine intestines
VFAs not easily absorbed at luminal pH (6.5)
H+ in exchange for Na+ allows conversion to acid for easier absorption
Follow by NaCl and water absorption
What contractions are found in the caecum?
Segmental
Mass evacuation
What contractions are found in the colon?
Peristalsis
Antiperistalsis
What is colic? What is true and false colic?
Abdominal pain
True - GI pain
False - other abdominal pain
How much of the horses abdomen are you able to feel?
1/3
What are abnormal sounds heard in colic?
Decreased frequency
Increased frequency
Tympanitic sounds
What might be the cause of colic?
Enteritis
Splasmodic colic
Obstruction
Gas distension
Upon rectal examination, what can be felt on the left, midline and right?
L- spleen
M - aorta
R - caecum
When can you only feel the SI when rectal examining?
During contractions
How can you help remove stuck faeces in a horse
Liquid paraffin oil
Softens and removes
What do Brunners glands secrete? Where are they found?
Alkaline mucous
Duodenum, sphincter of Oddi
What is melena?
Digested blood causes black faeces
Upper GI problem
What is haematomesis?
Vomiting blood
What is haemmatochezia?
Red faeces
Blood from lower GI
What is laminitis? What is it caused by?
Inflammation of laminae
Increased hCHO levels cause hormone imbalance
AVOID SPRING GRASS- high hCHO
