Examination of the GI Tract Flashcards
what is the minimum database for a horse with suspected GI disease?
History, PE, rectal, nasogastric, response to therapy
critical PE information for GI cases
- TPR
- tachycardia and tachypnea
- fever - Mucous membranes (color and CRT)
- Abdominal distension
- Auscultation (borborygmi and abnormal sounds)
- Pain level (quiet might be very bad)
hyperemic mucous membranes
endotoxemia, SIRs, hyperdynamic shock
dark/cyanotic mucous membranes
hypodynamic shock, terminal shock
if a horse is tachycardic and painful what should you do?
pass a nasogastric tube to check for the presence and volume of reflex
if HR is > 60 bpm, what should you do?
pass a nasogastric tube!
__ volume of reflux is normal while __ may indicated greater severity of disease
<2L volume of reflux is normal while >4L may indicated greater severity of disease
what should you administer and look for when palpating per rectum?
Butylscopolamine (buscopan) can be administered so that you can feel structures easier. Its and anticholinergic, parasympatholytic, antispasmodic. When you’re palpating look for distension, and then at positions, mass and serosal surfaces.
what can you feel via palpation per rectum?
spleen, L kidney, small colon, pelvic flexure, cecum, female repro tract and inguinal rings
what should you do for impactions?
impactions will get more painful but aren’t surgical when it rehydrates it expands distending even more -> keep them sedated and recheck rectals
FLASH ultrasonography
This allows you to see 7 windows that allow you to see free abdominal fluid, appearance of SI, contents of large intestines, contact of spleen with left kidney
PCV > 60 =
poor prognosis
lactate (<2 mmol/L )
anaerobic6.5 mmol/L anaerobic metabolism, reduced hepatic clearance, > 6.5 mmol/L associated with poor prognosis
Fibrinogen (>400) takes __ to go up and indicates __
Fibrinogen (>400) takes 2-3 days to go up and indicates inflammation
Abdominocentesis normal values
color - clear yellow, protein < 2g/dl, WBC < 5000 cells, RBC rare
what might you suspect if abdominocentesis yields red fluids?
strangulating lesions
Peritoneal Fluid Lactate is a significant predictor or horses with a __
strangulating lesion
