GI: When Things Go Wrong Flashcards
what is choke
-blockage in esophagus caused by a mass of dry forage or a solid object (ex carrot), or any other obstruction
how do you diagnose choke
-repeated coughing
-distress
-discharge from mouth and nostrils which may be foamy saliva and food
-may take treats but unable to swallow
-hard mass palpable on left side
-NG tube confirms
how do you treat choke
-many resolves on own
-massage esophagus
-if condition persists for > 1 hour, sedate and push NG tube to push obstruction to stomach
-water may break up obstruction
how serious is choke
-not life threatening
-most resolve w/out complications
-rarely, it can persist for extended periods of time causing damage to esophagus
what are the complications of choke
-risk of aspiration of fluids if it persists > 1hour, NG tube is passed multiple times w water (will use antimicrobials and anti inflamm to protect against aspiration pneumonia)
-nosebleeds (due to tube)
-strictures (permanent narrowing) develop causing chronic choke
what is equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS)
-erosion of stomach lining
what % of mature horses in training have ulcers, are foals also at risk
-60-90
-yes
how are gastric ulcers managed
-increased grazing time (most important)
-reduce stress (modify training schedule and care during transport)
-gastrogard, zantac, sucralfate
how serious are gastric ulcers
-impacts performance
-most ulcers treated and ctrled w omeprazole
what does gastrogard, zantac, and sucralfate do, which one is expensive
-gastro & zantac: block receptors in stomach involved in acid secretion
-sucralfate: adheres to ulcerated areas of stomach to act as a protectant
-gastro is expensive
what are the complications of gastric ulcers
-may perforate
-may reflux into esophagus
what is colic
-abdominal pain
-describes disorders of intestines, from gas to impactions/blocks, to twists or loops of intestine
if capillary refill time is 1-2, 2.5-4, >4 seconds, what are the horses chances of survival w colic
1-2 has 90%
2.5-4 has 50%
>4 has 12%
what does a horse w colic look like
-sweat, pawing, looking at his flank
-increased heart and respiratory rate
-rolling on ground
-refuse food and not pass any manure
how is colic diagnosed
-physical exam
-assess pain lvl by observing behav
-auscult GI sounds: gas or spasmodic colic has increased sounds, impaction or displacement or twist will have decreased
-rectal exam (impaction, gas, displacement)
-NG tube
-abdominocentesis
how is colic treated
-spasmodic and gas: light exercise
-impaction or blockage: laxative through NG tube, IV fluids
-pain ctrl via anti-inflam, flunixin, meglumine
-sedate: xylazine, detomidine w butorphanol
-antispasm: buscopan
-surgery for twists/displacement (complex or simple)
what are the two categories of coli
-medical
-surgical
how serious is colic
-varies from minor self-limiting bellyache to life threatening and needing surgery
-full recovery from surgery takes 3-6 mo
what are the complications of colic
-most medical resolve w/out problems
-surgical: endotoxins can cause shock and laminitis, adhesions disrupting motility, incisional hernias
-pain ctrl: the medications may mask the symptoms of colic so we do not know how serious it is
what is the diff b/w spasmodic and gas colic
-spasmodic: spasms or cramping of intestinal segments
-gas: build up w/in intestinal loops
what are the clinical signs and outcome of spasmodic and gas colic
-acute, severe pain
-louder than normal borborygmi
-self limiting
-manage pain, prognosis is good
-gas colic may progress to displacement
what is impaction colic
-blockage of feed in intestines
-mild, intermittent pain that progresses
-decreased fecal output
-quiet borborygmi
-pain mgmt: laxative, IV, rarely surgery
-prognosis good if no complications
-rare rupture of intestines
what is enterolith colic
-stone forms in intestines causing blockage
-acute intermittent pain as stone moves
-identified by radiographs
-mild episodes resolve w pain mgmt
-surgical removal
-cause of chronic colic in some areas
what is displacement colic
-loop of intestine moves into abnormal position
-mild, intermittent clinical signs progressing to severs
-decreased borborygmi
-small amts of feces
-manage pain, roll the horse
-often needs surgery
-prognosis good if identified early and intestine is not opened in surgery
-can persist for days or weeks
what is torsion colic
-section of intestines twist around itself
-acute, uncontrollable pain
-signs of toxicity: high heart rate, dark mucous membranes, no borborygmi
-surgery required
-surgery needs to happen fast, prognosis is poor if lg parts of intestine removed as it compromises intestinal health
-may not make it to surgery in time due to pain and damge
-complications w toxicity if lots of intestine dies
what is strangulation colic
-section of intestine constricted by becoming trapped b/w 2 structures or something wrapped around it
-acute, uncontrollable pain
-signs of toxicity: same as torsion
-surgery required
-need surgery fast to minimize toxin release, may do well if small section of intestine removed and recognized early
-most commonly caused by lipoma wrapping around loop of intestine
what are tips to prevent colic
-regular deworming
-regular feeding
-several small meals a day
-high quality feed
-gradually increase pasture time
-daily exercise
-access to fresh water always
-routine dental work
