Gastrointestinal

Question 1

What is choke?

Answer 1

A blockage in a horse’s esophagus, usually a chunk of dry forage or a large chunk of food

Question 2

How is choke diagnosed?

Answer 2

Clinical Signs:
•Repeated Coughing
•May appear distressed
•Discharge from nose and mouth (foamy saliva mixed with food)
•May take treats but unable to swallow

•May be palpated on the left side of the neck
•Confirmed by NG tube

Question 3

How is choke treated?

Answer 3

•May resolve itself
•Gentle massage

If longer than an hour
•Sedation and NG tube to push obstruction down
•Water may be used to break up obstruction

Question 4

How serious is choke? What complications may occur?

Answer 4

•Generally not life threatening, most cases resolve without complication
•Rare cases will go on for hours and damage esophagus

•If large amounts of water are used there is a risk of aspiration, antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories are reccomended
•Strictures may develop from chronic choke

Question 5

What is Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS)? How common is it?

Answer 5

Erosion of the stomach lining. 60%-90% of horses in training have peptic ulcers. Foals are also at risk.

Question 6

How is EGUS treated?

Answer 6

•Increased grazing time
•Minimizing stress
•Gastroguard, Zantac, sucralfate

Question 7

How serious is EGUS? What complications can occur?

Answer 7

•Significant impact on performance
•Can be managed with gastroguard (omeprazole)

•May perforate
•May reflux into esophagus

Question 8

What is colic?

Answer 8

Broadly defined as abdominal pain. Describes a range of disorders such as gas pain, impactions, blockages, and twisted, displaced or strangulation loops of intestine.