Large Intestinal Diseases Flashcards
What are the two types of cecal tympany?
Primary — rapid gas production and decreased motility
Secondary — obstructions of the large or small colon
Clinical signs of cecal tympany?
Bloated and rounded right flank
Pain intermittent then progress to continuous and severe
HR > 100bpm
What is a risk factor for cecal tympany?
Ingestion of fermentable feeds
Treatment of cecal tympany?
Decompression — percutaneously or surgically
Supportive care with fluids and analgesics
What are the two types of cecal impaction?
Primary cecal dysfunction -> usually dryer firm ingesta
Secondary impactions ->fluid ingesta
What are risk factors for type 1, dehydrated type, cecal impaction?
Diets high in corncob, kernel corn, and coarse hay or straw
What is a risk factor for type II cecal impactions/?
Horses with orthopedic problems
More common in adults
Treatment for cecal impactions?
Medical
- nasogastric intubation with DSS.
- IV fluids, analgesia (xylazine/butorphanol), walking
Surgical
-if pain cannot be controlled/ not resolving/ fluid compatible with bowel compromise
Risk factors for cecal perforation and rupture ?
Tapeworm
Ulcerative area or overstreching from impaction
Parturition
Treatment of cecal perforation/rupture ?
Normally tear cannot be exposed — repair impossible
By-pass
Removal of cecum
Prognosis is poor
What are non-strangulating obstructions the large intestine?
Impaction Sand enteropathy Enterolithasis Large colon displacements (right and left) Right dorsal colitis
Where does impaction most frequently occur in large intestine?
Pelvic flexure
Risk factors for large colon imapactions?
Corse feed Poor dentition Inadequate mastication Foreign material Decreased water intake Altered colonic motility Adhesions Grass sickness Amitraz- apha2 agonist
What is the treatment for large intestinal impaction?
IV fluid
Analgesia
Laxatives — mineral oil, DSS (dicotyl sodium sulfosucciaate- stool softener)
Walking
Off feed until has passed manure on consistent basis
What is the prognosis for large intestine impaction?
Good unless evidence of bowel wall compromise
Signalment/risk factors for sand enteropathy?
Feeding on ground in sand stall or on sandy soil
Highest in costal regions
Where does sand impactions usually occur?
Right dorsal and transverse colon
Comical signs of sand enteropathy?
Similar to large colon impaction
Can present as acute colic
Weight of sand — intermittent colic that resolves with analgesics but recurs
Lie on side or back — relieves tension on mesentery
Auscultation can be diagnostic and pathoneumonic “sand on beach”
Sand or gritty feeling occcationaly felt on rectal
How can you confirm a sand enteropathy?
Float feces — sand setting in bottom
Any amount of sand is abnormal
Radiographs - radiodense material in ventral colon
Enterocentesis — will see sand in needle or cannula
Treatment for sand enteropathy
Psyllium
Maintain LC motility with exercise
Maintain increased transit - mineral oil
Surgery is complete obstruction or unresponsive
What are the most common locations that eneroliths cause problems?
Right dorsal colon
Transverse colon
Small colon
Pelvic flexure
What type of stones are enterliths?
Mg-ammonium phosphate (struvite)
Clinical signs of enterolithiasis?
Similar to large colon impactions
Intermittent until total obstruction, then severe pain, elevated HR, and pale MM
Recall — large colon distention, rarely feel enterolith
What is thought to be the cause of right dorsal displacement of the colon?
Hyper and/or hypomotile states with gas accumulation
