Lecture 6: Approach to medical diseases of the equine large colon Flashcards
Diarrhea is an issue in which part of intestines
Large colon
What are the top 10 differential diagnoses of equine colitis
- Salmonella spp
- Clostridia spp
- Antibiotic induced
- Potomac horse fever
- Equine enteric coronavirus
- Larval cyathostominosis
- Blister beetle/cantharidin
- NSAIDS
- Sand colic
- Carbohydrate overload
How many negative test do you need to diagnosis clearance of salmonella
5 negative tests
What is treatment for Potomac horse fever
Tetracycline and supportive case
What is treatment for laraval cyathostominosis
Moxidectin and supportive care
What type of feed is the blister beetle/cantharidin associated with
Alfalfa
T or F: give oil to horses with blister beetle/cantharidin
F= will increase absoprtion of toxin
What part of the intestines is most likely affected by NSAIDS
Right dorsal colon—> ulceration—> strictures in mucosa—> chronic colic
What tests can be run to determine sand is present
Sand float
What can be used to treat sand colic
Psyllium, oil
What is a huge risk for carbohydrate overload
Laminitis risk
What should you do to treat carbohydrate overload
Gastric lavage, activated charcoal, biosponge
How do you diagnose impactions in equine large colon
Rectal palpation
T or F: fever is present in simple impactions
False
Case example: 13yr Gypsy Vanner with colic signs, depressed, bloated, T=103.1 P=56, R=28, hypermotile GI sounds, bright red mucous membranes
Rectal: everything in normal location, large colon filled with fluid, then exslosive diarrhea- what is your most immediate concern and what do you do next
Biosecurity- diarrhea is treated as infectious until proven otherwise
1. Referral
2. Isolate horse
2. Separate personnel handle this horse last
3. Foot baths
Blood work results:
CBC: WBC decreased, HCT increased, platelets increased, neutrophils decreased, bands increased, lymphocytes decreased, fibrinogen increased
What does this tell you
dehydrated, acute inflammation, bands- immature neutrophils, fibrinogen- acute inflammation
Blood work results:
Chemistry: decrease total protein, albumin increased indirect bilirubin, increase creatinine, decrease Na, Cl-
Losing protein to intestines, dehydrated, anorexia
Arterial blood gas results:
PH: 7.2
PCO2- 40
PO2-95
HCO3-15.1
BEecf: -11.4
SO2- 99
What does this tell you
Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
Test results;
Salmonella culture positive, clostridia positive, toxins negative, coronavirus negative, FEC 50epg
What is diagnosis
Salmonella colitis
What is treatment plan for horse with salmonella colitis
- IV fluids
- Potassium added to fluids
- Colloids- plasma and hetastarch
- Banamine, polymixin B
- Laminitis prevention- cryotherapy
- Parental nutrition
- Biosecurity
What antibiotics do you want to give with severe neutropenia
Broad spectrum
What antibiotics do you want to give for clostridal infection
Metronidazole
What antibiotics do you want to give for Potomac horse fever
Tetracycline
What could happen if you give tetracycline too fast
Pull out Ca2+—> horse can collapse
Case example: horse is colicky, quiet, looking at abdomen. T=100.5, P=48, R-16, GI sounds decreased ventrally
Rectal: nephrosplenic space is identified, pelvic flexors is enlarged and firmer, fecal contents are soft, fecal and most tight, SI not identified.
What is your diagnosis
Pelvic flexure impaction
What is your treatment plan for pelvic flexure impaction
Analgesics- banamine
Mineral oil, water, electrolytes via NG tube
8yr old Mustang gelding presents with acute colic and fever. Prior to this end healthy with great appetite for alfalfa hay. What is most likely etiology of this horses illness
Cantharidin
Mini horse with 1 week history of lameness. Owner calls and reports has not improved even after given 1 gram tablet of phenylutazone twice per day just like when her thoroughbred was lame, but mini seems cockily. Which anatomical structure are you concerned about
Right dorsal colon
