GIT Part 1 Flashcards
What is peristalsis
Muscles contracting around digestive tract moving food along
How does the horse prevent stomach acid from coming in contact with the stomach lining
Presence of fibre in the top half of the stomach
Three regions of the small intestine
Duodenum, jejunum, ileum
What happens to the small intestine when horses are fed natural diet
Feed keeps it plump, it cannot twist as easily
What nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine
Protein, fats, oils, CHO
Parts of the large intestine?
Cecum (heating system, fibres broken down by bacterial fermentation)
Large colon (fibre fermentation continues)
Small colon (reabsorption of water, fecal balls form)
*** matching table in slides
Do it
How do you evaluate the health of the GIT in horses
Capillary refill time (~1 sec) in gums
What is it called when a stethoscope is used to listen to listen to the flanks
Auscultation
What quadrants are listened to during auscultation
Upper/lower left, upper/lower right
How many sounds should we hear during auscultation every minute
1-3/min
What is borborygmus vs borborygmi
US = refer to one stomach gurgle
I = refer to multiple stomach gurgles
What does it mean when you hear no borborygmi vs constant borborygmi
None = possible twist
Constant = GI upset (diarrhea)
What is TNC
Borborygmi too numerous to count
What are the palpable structures of the GI tract
Colon, SI, bladder, uterus
What is nasogastric intubation
Passing a long, flexible tube through the nose into the stomach
What can an NG tube help identify
Choke, gastric reflux
What is gastric reflux
Fluid build up in the stomach
Test involving inserting a metal teat or needle into abdominal cavity to obtain fluid to analyze
Abdominocentesis (belly tap)
Imagine technique allowing the vet to visualize soft tissue structures and detect gas build up, thickened intestinal walls, displaced segments of intestines
Ultrasound
Imaging technique rarely used for abdomen (too large)
Radiographs
Endoscopy is…
Imaging technique involving passing instrument through same route as NG tube in order to visualize structures
Tests that can help evaluate organ diseases, other disruptions in bodily functions
Blood test
Choke is a…
Blockage of the horse’s esophagus caused by a mass of dry forage or grain or a solid object
Signs of a choking horse
Cough
Distress
Discharge from mouth and nostrils (saliva)
Inability to swallow
Palpations on left side of neck
How can you confirm a horse is choking
NG tube
How do you treat a choking horse
Gentle massage
Sedation + NG tube to push obstruction
Water to break up obstruction
May resolve on own
Is choke serious?
Usually not life-threating, can be resolved
Rarely will damage esophagus (if extended period)
Complications of choke?
Aspiration if large amounts of water used
Nosebleeds
Inflammation of esophagus leads to scar tissue (strictures) and may cause choke again
Erosion of the stomach lining is called…
Equine gastric ulcer syndrome
How many mature horses in training have ulcers?
60-90%
How do you manage gastric ulcers?
Increase grazing time
Minimize stress
Gastrogard (omeprazole)
How serious are ulcers?
Impact performance
Complications of gastric ulcers?
Perforation, reflux into esophagus
