GI -> Ileus Flashcards
T/F: The first third of the esophagus is striated muscle, and the caudal 2/3 of the esophagus is smooth muscle.
False. Prox 2/3 is skeletal, distal 1/3 is smooth
Define primary choke.
Esophageal obstruction with no actual issue with the esophagus itself.
Ex: dental issues, feed types
What are some risk factors with choke concerning horse management and husbandry?
Competition for feed -> bolting
What are some horses associated risk factors for choke?
Dental abnormalities (wavemouth), naturally fast eaters, underlying disease
What are some feed associated factors that can lead to choke?
Feed that expands with water: dry beet pulp, bran, hay cubes, pellets
What are some CxS seen with choke?
Profuse bilateral nasal discharge* (tint of food particles)
Salivation, gagging, retching, ‘colic’ signs
What is the landmark for nasogastric tubing?
13th rib
What is the best diagnostic tool for choke?
Endoscopy
What is the #1 complication with choke to worry about?
Aspiration pneumonia
What are some methods to treat choke?
Heavy sedation (lots of alpha2-agonist: xylazine)
NG tube and flushing
Oxytocin
On physical examination with a horse that has apparent GI complications, what does a high elevated heart rate suggest?
Strangulation of the intestines
How do you grade a horse with colic?
Grade 1 - mild. playing in water, pawing
Grade 2 - moderate. frequent pawing, kicking, crouching
Grade 3 - severe. rolling, thrashing, up and down constant
With GI auscultation, what does +, ++, +/-, and - indicate?
+ : present, normally usual sounds
++ : more than usual sounds
+/- : more or less, difficult to tell
- : absent sounds
With GI auscultation, what does LD, RD, LV, RV represent?
LD: left dorsal quadrant - small intestine and small colon
RD: right dorsal quadrant - cecum
LV: left ventral quadrant - large colon
RV: right ventral quadrant - large colon
If you observe the external abdominal outline of a horse with colic, what would a more proximal contour of the abdomen usually indicate? What if it was blown up like a tick?
Proximal contour - small intestine, large colon displacement
Tick size - large colon involvement
Because a horse cannot vomit, what is a big consequence that can occur?
Gastric rupture
When should NG intubation be attempted when dealing with a severe colicky horse?
Immediately (first)
What does a large volume (>2L) indicate about the location of the colic?
Large volume usually means small intestinal colic
What is the prognosis of a horse that has spontaneous reflux?
Poor prognosis
What would the pH be of the NG reflux fluid if it were <7? >7?
<7 : gastric
>7 : small intestine
What could you guess is a contributor of colic if the reflex from NG tubing is malodorous?
Infectious disease
What can transrectal palpation tell you on a colicky horse?
The type of distention (gas, liquid, etc), location, organ involved, and impact to other organs