Exam 3 - Equine Colitis Flashcards
what are the 6 mechanisms of diarrhea?
- hypersecretion
- malabsorptive
- inflammatory/exudative
- osmotic
- deranged motility
- increased oncotic pressure
T/F: equine diarrhea is generally related to the large intestines
true
what is free fecal water syndrome?
not actually diarrhea - excess water is seen at the beginning or after defecation with an otherwise healthy horse
unknown cause - may be diet related
what specific diagnostic tests can be used to identify the cause of diarrhea?
PCR/culture
imaging, ultrasound, & biopsy
what non-specific diagnostics can be used for medical management of equine diarrhea?
cbc - look for leukopenia/leukocytosis, elevated PCV, & elevated/decreased TP
biochem - fluid loss, expect low Na, K, Cl, azotemia, & albumin/globulins (oncotic pressure)
regardless of etiology, treatment of equine colitis relies on what?
supportive care - anti-inflammatories (pepto), IVF, etc
why do you see clinical signs in endotoxemia from colitis?
the body responds to the endotoxin from the cell wall of gram negative bacteria (LPS)
what clinical signs are associated with endotoxemia related to colitis?
tachycardia, pyrexia, dull/lethargy, hyperemic mucus membranes/toxic line
how can you prevent further absorption of endotoxin in equine colitis?
remove the injured intestines & use a bio sponge
what treatment is used in endotoxemia from colitits that binds to the endotoxin to prevent its action?
polymixin b & plasma
what medication is given in endotoxemia that reduces the production of inflammatory mediators?
NSAIDS
why provide hoof support/ice therapy to horses with endotoxemia?
they are at risk for developing laminitis
what are the most-common non-infectious causes of equine colitis?
- dietary change
- grain overload
- antibiotic associated
- NSAID toxicity
- sand enteropathy
- blister beetle ingestion
what are the clinical signs associated in colitis caused by dietary change/grain overload? clin-path abnormalitis?
soft-liquid feces, mild colic-abdominal distension, endotoxemia, & laminitis
dehydration, elevated lactate/anion gap
what is the treatment used for dietary change/grain overload equine colitis?
supportive care, decrease concentrate or access to rich grass/hay, slow diet alterations, & increase fiber in the diet
how is antibiotic associated colitis diagnosed?
history of antibiotics & diagnosis of exclusion
why do antibiotics cause colitis?
disrupt the normal gut flora
what is the treatment for antibiotic associated colitis?
stop the antibiotics, give oral probiotics, transfaunation, & supportive care
what are the clinical signs of antibiotic associated colitis?
mild to severe colitis
what is the typical history of a horse with sand impaction?
possible or obvious exposure to sand, sandy environment, or eating off the ground
what clinical signs are associated with sand impaction? clin path abnormalities?
colic - may result in colonic inflammation, obstruction, or rupture
diarrhea, weight loss, anorexia
lab work - mild inflammatory signs & decreased albumin
how is sand impaction diagnosed?
radiography!!! most sensitive & gold-standard
xiphoid auscultation, glove test (low sensitivity/specificity)
what is seen on this rad of an equine abdomen?
sand colic
what is the treatment & prevention of sand impaction?
psyllium mucilloid (metamucil, sand clear) - 1 gram/kg via NGT quickly SID for 3-5 days
epsom salts - 1 gram/kg via NGT with psyllium SID 3-5 days
elevate food off of the ground
why do we see right dorsal colitis with NSAIDS in horses?
there is a relatively narrow therapeutic range for nsaids & excessive dosing can cause toxicosis in a couple days
COX1 & COX 2 - selective but may be slightly less toxic to git but not kidneys
if using the recommend dosing of NSAIDS, when can you expect toxicosis to occur?
days to weeks
risks of developing right dorsal colitis from NSAIDS are exacerbated by what?
dehydration, sepsis
how is right dorsal colitis from NSAID toxicity diagnosed & treated?
history, ultrasound, & diagnosis of exclusion
misoprostol & sucralfate, change the diet to a low bulk food (eliminate hay), corn, oil, psyllium
what are the 2 most common lab abnormalities seen in blister beetle toxicosis?
hypocalcemia & hypomagnesemia
what are the clinical signs of cantharidin toxicity?
ulcerations through out the gi tract, synchronous diaphragmatic flutter, muscle contraction/3rd eyelid protrusion, usually more than 1 horse affected
fatality of 50% or higher