Specific Gastro-Intestinal Diseases

Question 1

What are the three most common conditions associated with the stomach? What are they caused by?

Answer 1

1. Gastric dilatation and impaction - ingestion of highly fermentable feeds
2. Ulcerative disease - Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome

Question 2

What is the most important neoplasia of the stomach in the horse?

Answer 2

SCC - presents as weight loss and hemoperitoneum

Question 3

A WEAN/YEAR-LING presents with a toxic, shocky, moderate to severe colic. Upon NG intubation, worms were seen on gastric reflux. Owner explained that PIPERAZINE/PYRANTEL/ORGANOPHOSPHATES (ANTHELMINTICS) were recently administered. What is the most likely dx in this weanling?

Answer 3

Ascarid Impaction

Non-strangulating but appears strangulating

Question 4

How would you treat a weanling/yearling with ascarid impaction?

Answer 4

• severe case with complete obstruction: surgical intervention
• least severe : mineral oil and IV fluids
• preventative protocol : deworm on a monthly basis

Question 5

Which part of the Small Intestine is typically affected with Non-Strangulating (True) Obstruction?

Answer 5

Ileum

Question 6

A horse presents with intermittent incomplete/complete obstruction. On rectal palpation, the small intestine is distended dorsally to the right just cranial to the cecum . Owner has been feeding the horse BERMUDA GRASS HAY. What is the most likely dx for this horse?

Answer 6

ILEAL IMPACTION

- small intestinal feed or foreign body impaction

Question 7

What is the treatment for Ileal Impaction?

Answer 7

• Conservative : laxative (mineral oil), IV fluids and analgesics
• Surgical correction

Question 8

What is the prognosis for Ileal Impaction?

Answer 8

Long term prognosis - fair
Short term
- 25 hours: usually die

Question 9

What is meant by SI volvulus?

Answer 9

It is when the SI twists on the long axis of the mesentery for at least 180 degrees.

Question 10

What type of horse is typically affected by SI Volvulus ?

Answer 10

It can affect horses of ANY AGE and SIGNALMENT.

Question 11

An OLDER (>20 year old) and OVERWEIGHT horse has a history of LOW GRADE RECURRENT BOUTS of ABDOMINAL PAIN. What is the most likely dx?

Answer 11

The age and recurrence is pathognomonic for STRANGULATING LIPOMA.

Recurrence of abdominal pain does NOT occur in EPIPLOIC FORAMEN - difference between strangulating lipoma and epiploic foramen.

Question 12

An OLDER horse presents with abdominal pain. Upon arrival, the vet observes that the horse has been CRIBBING. What is the most likely dx?

Answer 12

Epiploic Foramen Entrapment

Question 13

In which Strangulating Obstruction is surgical correction contraindicated ? Why ?

Answer 13

Epiploic Foramen Entrapment
Reason: inflammation, local damage and necrosis can result in rupture (tearing) of the caudal vena cava or portal vein which can result in fatal hemorrhage

Question 14

A horse presented with colic. The owner reported that the horse had TRAUMA. When auscultating the thoracic cavity, GUT SOUNDS are heard. There are less sounds heard in abdominal cavity and less GIT is transrectally palpated. What is the most likely dx?

Answer 14

DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA

Prognosis: guarded

Question 15

Where does intussusception in the horse typically occur?

Answer 15

Ileum and Ileocecal junction

Question 16

A horse has a history of acute colic followed by intermittent colic lasting weeks to month. The horse has had issues with TAPEWORMS and there has bee CHANGES to its FECAL CONSISTENCY. What is the most likely dx?

Answer 16

INTUSSUSCEPTION