Equine GI QUIZ Flashcards
T/F: Stress diarrhea in the horse is usually self-limiting and does not require treatment
True
T/F: Salmonella is the most common diagnosed infectious cause of diarrhea in the horse but luckily does not spread to other horses or humans.
False
T/F: A 1000 lb horse with 10% dehydration and severe fluid loses may require more than 100 L of intravenous fluids per day.
True
What is the definition of equine choke and what are 3 clinical signs?
Definition:
Esophageal obstruction (chunk/bolus of material is lodged in the esophagus)
1. Food coming out of the nose
2. Drooling
3. Throat/neck swelling
Which is NOT a complication after choke?
1. esophageal stricture
2. perforation of the esophagus
3. aspiration pneumonia
4. gastric ulcers
- gastric ulcers
What management changes are best for horses diagnosed with gastric ulcers?
1. keep confined in stall
2. increase amount of grain concentrate and feed less hay
3. feeding large infrequent meals of hay
4. allow more time to graze in pasture
- allow more time to graze in pasture
What are three important ways (procedures) a veterinarian and veterinary technician can evaluate a horse experiencing colic?
- Abnormal gut sounds
- Slow/unideal CRT & MM
- Elevated temp
What is the typical medication given for gastric ulceration?
1. Maropitant
2. Large doses of tums
3. Omeprazole
4. Fluxinine megulmine
- Omeprazole
What are 5 clinical signs of colic in the horse?
- Rolling
- Looking at rear/abdomen
- Kicking abdomen
- Pawing (front legs primarily)
- Sweating
What are 3 important complications of severe diarrhea in the horse?
- Laminitis
- Death
- Dehydration due to massive fluid loss
Please match the following colic terms to their correct definition.
Pick one of the following types of colic and describe the typical treatment:
Spasmodic colic
Impaction colic*
Displacement/Entrapment
Necrotic colic
Impaction
- Withhold food
- Rehydrate patient with oral/IV fluids
- Use of analgesics to help with pain/stress (without slowing the GI tract)
- NG tube placed, and fluids/oils flushed to help lubricate/push out obstruction
- May require surgery to break apart obstruction
T/F: The major decision to make when evaluating a colicky horse is to determine if it is best treated with surgery or medical therapy.
True
