Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why is decreased water intake a significant risk factor for large colon impactions in horses?
Why is decreased water intake a significant risk factor for large colon impactions in horses?
- Reduced water content in the intestinal ingesta leads to drier, more difficult-to-pass material. (correct)
- Compensatory mechanisms increase water absorption in the small intestine.
- Reduced digestive motility allows for feed compaction.
- Increased metabolic rate leads to dehydration.
What is the primary reason that pelvic flexure impactions are often not associated with endotoxemia unless long-standing?
What is the primary reason that pelvic flexure impactions are often not associated with endotoxemia unless long-standing?
- The immune system effectively contains the endotoxins released in the early stages of impaction.
- The pelvic flexure has a limited capacity for bacterial overgrowth.
- The physiological structure of the pelvic flexure minimizes bacterial translocation even with impaction.
- The short duration of most pelvic flexure impactions often doesn't allow for significant endotoxin release. (correct)
How does the administration of xylazine and butorphanol potentially exacerbate impactions in horses?
How does the administration of xylazine and butorphanol potentially exacerbate impactions in horses?
- By directly irritating the intestinal lining, causing inflammation and reduced motility.
- By reducing intestinal motility, thereby slowing the passage of ingesta and predisposing to impaction. (correct)
- By altering the gut microbiome, which results in decreased fiber digestion efficiency.
- By increasing the rate of fluid absorption in the colon, leading to dehydration of the ingesta.
Why is it critical to monitor horses closely for gastric reflux during oral fluid administration for impaction relief?
Why is it critical to monitor horses closely for gastric reflux during oral fluid administration for impaction relief?
What is the primary mechanism by which cathartics, such as Epsom salts ($MgSO_4$) or sodium sulfate, aid in resolving impactions?
What is the primary mechanism by which cathartics, such as Epsom salts ($MgSO_4$) or sodium sulfate, aid in resolving impactions?
In cases of suspected sand impactions in horses, why might radiographs be useful, and what specific caution should be exercised if abdominocentesis is considered?
In cases of suspected sand impactions in horses, why might radiographs be useful, and what specific caution should be exercised if abdominocentesis is considered?
What is the rationale behind feeding psyllium to horses prone to sand impactions, and how should it be administered via nasogastric tube?
What is the rationale behind feeding psyllium to horses prone to sand impactions, and how should it be administered via nasogastric tube?
What is the primary reason cecal impactions are more likely to result in rupture compared to pelvic flexure impactions?
What is the primary reason cecal impactions are more likely to result in rupture compared to pelvic flexure impactions?
How does nephrosplenic entrapment (NSE) lead to large colon displacement, and what anatomical relationship is key to its occurrence?
How does nephrosplenic entrapment (NSE) lead to large colon displacement, and what anatomical relationship is key to its occurrence?
How does phenylephrine administration aid in the medical management of left dorsal displacement (LDD) due to nephrosplenic entrapment?
How does phenylephrine administration aid in the medical management of left dorsal displacement (LDD) due to nephrosplenic entrapment?
What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes proximal enteritis from a strangulating small intestinal lesion in horses?
What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes proximal enteritis from a strangulating small intestinal lesion in horses?
During the physical examination of a horse with anterior enteritis, what rectal finding is most indicative of a thickened intestinal wall or mesentery?
During the physical examination of a horse with anterior enteritis, what rectal finding is most indicative of a thickened intestinal wall or mesentery?
What are the primary clinical differences observed in horses with anterior enteritis compared to those with a strangulating small intestinal lesion?
What are the primary clinical differences observed in horses with anterior enteritis compared to those with a strangulating small intestinal lesion?
Why is broad-spectrum, non-oral antibiotic therapy indicated in some cases of anterior enteritis, and what clinical parameters would support its use?
Why is broad-spectrum, non-oral antibiotic therapy indicated in some cases of anterior enteritis, and what clinical parameters would support its use?
What is the current recommendation for deworming foals to manage ascarid infections, considering the issue of anthelmintic resistance?
What is the current recommendation for deworming foals to manage ascarid infections, considering the issue of anthelmintic resistance?
Why is it essential to monitor water intake, especially with flavored water, during the recovery phase of pelvic flexure impactions?
Why is it essential to monitor water intake, especially with flavored water, during the recovery phase of pelvic flexure impactions?
What factor makes small colon impactions more likely to require surgical intervention, differing from pelvic flexure impactions?
What factor makes small colon impactions more likely to require surgical intervention, differing from pelvic flexure impactions?
Why is abdominocentesis performed cautiously in horses with suspected sand impactions, despite its diagnostic utility?
Why is abdominocentesis performed cautiously in horses with suspected sand impactions, despite its diagnostic utility?
What is the primary goal when beginning treatment of pelvic flexure impactions?
What is the primary goal when beginning treatment of pelvic flexure impactions?
Considering that anterior enteritis can lead to substantial protein loss, what therapeutic intervention is most appropriate for severe cases of hypoproteinemia?
Considering that anterior enteritis can lead to substantial protein loss, what therapeutic intervention is most appropriate for severe cases of hypoproteinemia?
When is abdominal surgery indicated in cases of confirmed pelvic flexure impaction?
When is abdominal surgery indicated in cases of confirmed pelvic flexure impaction?
What is the primary reason for administering intravenous (IV) fluids to manage the resolution of a pelvic flexure impaction?
What is the primary reason for administering intravenous (IV) fluids to manage the resolution of a pelvic flexure impaction?
When is the administration of antibiotics indicated in horses diagnosed with anterior enteritis?
When is the administration of antibiotics indicated in horses diagnosed with anterior enteritis?
Why is it important to avoid the use of hay as the initial source of feed after a horse recovers from pelvic flexure impaction?
Why is it important to avoid the use of hay as the initial source of feed after a horse recovers from pelvic flexure impaction?
How does the clinical presentation of a horse with a large colon displacement typically differ from that of a horse with a simple large colon impaction?
How does the clinical presentation of a horse with a large colon displacement typically differ from that of a horse with a simple large colon impaction?
What is the best management strategy for ascarids in young foals, to minimize the risk of parasitic resistance?
What is the best management strategy for ascarids in young foals, to minimize the risk of parasitic resistance?
What are some common risk factors that contribute to large colon impactions in horses?
What are some common risk factors that contribute to large colon impactions in horses?
The most common type of impaction in horses is:
The most common type of impaction in horses is:
If a horse has a pelvic flexure impaction, which clinical signs are likely to be observed?
If a horse has a pelvic flexure impaction, which clinical signs are likely to be observed?
If a veterinarian finds few or no gut sounds when listening to a horse's abdomen, and no reflux is present when a tube is placed in the horse's nose, this is indicative of:
If a veterinarian finds few or no gut sounds when listening to a horse's abdomen, and no reflux is present when a tube is placed in the horse's nose, this is indicative of:
When you perform a rectal exam on a horse diagnosed with pelvic flexure impaction, what do you expect to feel?
When you perform a rectal exam on a horse diagnosed with pelvic flexure impaction, what do you expect to feel?
If you are presented with a foal that is too small to palpate the pelvic flexure region via rectal examination, what diagnostic tool can assist in diagnosis?
If you are presented with a foal that is too small to palpate the pelvic flexure region via rectal examination, what diagnostic tool can assist in diagnosis?
If a horse experiences a fever, brown and foul smelling reflux from its nose, and small intestinal distention, this is likely indicative of:
If a horse experiences a fever, brown and foul smelling reflux from its nose, and small intestinal distention, this is likely indicative of:
If a veterinarian performs an abdominocentesis in a horse that is positive for anterior enteritis, what would the veterinarian expect to find?
If a veterinarian performs an abdominocentesis in a horse that is positive for anterior enteritis, what would the veterinarian expect to find?
In medical management of pelvic flexure impactions, which of the following is the most important?
In medical management of pelvic flexure impactions, which of the following is the most important?
A horse diagnosed with a small colon impaction is more likely to require which of the following:
A horse diagnosed with a small colon impaction is more likely to require which of the following:
Horses prone to what type of impaction should be fed psyllium?
Horses prone to what type of impaction should be fed psyllium?
What is the primary reason that the use of xylazine and butorphanol should be carefully considered in horses with impactions?
What is the primary reason that the use of xylazine and butorphanol should be carefully considered in horses with impactions?
Why is it crucial to avoid hay as the initial source of feed for horses recovering from pelvic flexure impaction?
Why is it crucial to avoid hay as the initial source of feed for horses recovering from pelvic flexure impaction?
What is the rationale behind administering intravenous (IV) fluids at twice the maintenance rate in managing pelvic flexure impactions?
What is the rationale behind administering intravenous (IV) fluids at twice the maintenance rate in managing pelvic flexure impactions?
What is the primary reason that cecal impactions are more prone to rupture compared to pelvic flexure impactions?
What is the primary reason that cecal impactions are more prone to rupture compared to pelvic flexure impactions?
Why should the administration of cathartics, such as Epsom salts ($MgSO_4$) or sodium sulfate, be carefully monitored in horses with impactions?
Why should the administration of cathartics, such as Epsom salts ($MgSO_4$) or sodium sulfate, be carefully monitored in horses with impactions?
Considering that anterior enteritis can lead to significant protein loss, what is the primary mechanism by which plasma administration helps to stabilize affected horses?
Considering that anterior enteritis can lead to significant protein loss, what is the primary mechanism by which plasma administration helps to stabilize affected horses?
In a horse diagnosed with anterior enteritis, what is the expected effect of performing gastric decompression through nasogastric intubation on the horse's pain level, compared to a horse with a strangulating small intestinal lesion?
In a horse diagnosed with anterior enteritis, what is the expected effect of performing gastric decompression through nasogastric intubation on the horse's pain level, compared to a horse with a strangulating small intestinal lesion?
What is the typical rationale for using broad-spectrum, non-oral antibiotics in some cases of anterior enteritis, and which specific clinical parameter would most strongly justify their use?
What is the typical rationale for using broad-spectrum, non-oral antibiotics in some cases of anterior enteritis, and which specific clinical parameter would most strongly justify their use?
What is the basis for recent recommendations to delay deworming foals until 60-70 days of age, specifically concerning ascarid infections?
What is the basis for recent recommendations to delay deworming foals until 60-70 days of age, specifically concerning ascarid infections?
Why is it important to meticulously monitor water intake, especially when flavoring water to encourage drinking, during the recovery phase of pelvic flexure impactions?
Why is it important to meticulously monitor water intake, especially when flavoring water to encourage drinking, during the recovery phase of pelvic flexure impactions?
How does nephrosplenic entrapment (NSE) lead to left dorsal displacement (LDD) of the large colon, and what anatomical relationship is key to the occurrence of this condition?
How does nephrosplenic entrapment (NSE) lead to left dorsal displacement (LDD) of the large colon, and what anatomical relationship is key to the occurrence of this condition?
How does phenylephrine, an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist, aid in the medical management of left dorsal displacement (LDD) due to nephrosplenic entrapment?
How does phenylephrine, an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist, aid in the medical management of left dorsal displacement (LDD) due to nephrosplenic entrapment?
What is the primary characteristic that differentiates proximal enteritis from a strangulating small intestinal lesion in horses, despite similar clinical signs?
What is the primary characteristic that differentiates proximal enteritis from a strangulating small intestinal lesion in horses, despite similar clinical signs?
During physical examination of a horse with anterior enteritis, which rectal finding is most indicative of a thickened intestinal wall or mesentery, suggesting chronic or severe inflammation?
During physical examination of a horse with anterior enteritis, which rectal finding is most indicative of a thickened intestinal wall or mesentery, suggesting chronic or severe inflammation?
What are the key clinical differences observed in horses with anterior enteritis compared to those with a strangulating small intestinal lesion, despite potential similarities in initial presentation?
What are the key clinical differences observed in horses with anterior enteritis compared to those with a strangulating small intestinal lesion, despite potential similarities in initial presentation?
Why is abdominocentesis performed with extra caution in horses suspected of having sand impactions, despite its diagnostic potential?
Why is abdominocentesis performed with extra caution in horses suspected of having sand impactions, despite its diagnostic potential?
What is the primary goal when initiating treatment for pelvic flexure impactions in horses?
What is the primary goal when initiating treatment for pelvic flexure impactions in horses?
When is aggressive abdominal surgery indicated in cases of confirmed pelvic flexure impaction in horses?
When is aggressive abdominal surgery indicated in cases of confirmed pelvic flexure impaction in horses?
Why might radiographs be useful in cases of suspected sand impactions in horses, particularly when a rectal examination is inconclusive?
Why might radiographs be useful in cases of suspected sand impactions in horses, particularly when a rectal examination is inconclusive?
What is the expected finding on abdominocentesis, if a horse is positive for anterior enteritis?
What is the expected finding on abdominocentesis, if a horse is positive for anterior enteritis?
Why are horses with small colon impactions more likely to require surgery, as opposed to horses with pelvic flexure impactions?
Why are horses with small colon impactions more likely to require surgery, as opposed to horses with pelvic flexure impactions?
What is the best indication for feeding a horse psyllium?
What is the best indication for feeding a horse psyllium?
What is the most common type of impaction in horses?
What is the most common type of impaction in horses?
What is the primary consideration regarding the administration of oral fluids in a horse experiencing a pelvic flexure impaction?
What is the primary consideration regarding the administration of oral fluids in a horse experiencing a pelvic flexure impaction?
If a horse is diagnosed with anterior enteritis, which clinical signs are likely to be observed?
If a horse is diagnosed with anterior enteritis, which clinical signs are likely to be observed?
What is the recommendation for deworming foals at birth?
What is the recommendation for deworming foals at birth?
Flashcards
What are impactions?
What are impactions?
Second most common cause of colic in horses, often occurring in the pelvic flexure/colon.
What is a major risk factor for large colon impactions?
What is a major risk factor for large colon impactions?
#1 cause is decreased water intake, especially during winter or when water tastes different.
What are signs of Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
What are signs of Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
These impactions show mild to moderate pain, insidious onset, and normal to mild increase in heart rate.
What are typical clinical signs in Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
What are typical clinical signs in Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
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What are the auscultation and reflux findings in Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
What are the auscultation and reflux findings in Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
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What rectal and fecal findings indicate Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
What rectal and fecal findings indicate Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
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What key history questions should be asked for Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
What key history questions should be asked for Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
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What are common bloodwork findings in Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
What are common bloodwork findings in Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
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What are the treatment approaches for Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
What are the treatment approaches for Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
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What is the medical treatment for Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
What is the medical treatment for Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
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How is mineral oil administered to treat Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
How is mineral oil administered to treat Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
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Which Cathartics help soften feces in impactions?
Which Cathartics help soften feces in impactions?
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What are treatment options for impaction?
What are treatment options for impaction?
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How should oral fluids be given?
How should oral fluids be given?
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How are IV fluids used in Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
How are IV fluids used in Pelvic Flexure Impactions?
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What dietary adjustments are needed?
What dietary adjustments are needed?
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What causes Sand Impactions?
What causes Sand Impactions?
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What is the treatment and prevention for Sand Impactions?
What is the treatment and prevention for Sand Impactions?
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What are the causes of cecal impactions?
What are the causes of cecal impactions?
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What is the main treatment indicated in cecal impactions?
What is the main treatment indicated in cecal impactions?
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What characterizes Small Colon Impactions?
What characterizes Small Colon Impactions?
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What are large colon displacements?
What are large colon displacements?
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What are rectal findings in Left Dorsal Displacement (LDD)?
What are rectal findings in Left Dorsal Displacement (LDD)?
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How is Medical RX LDD treated in horses?
How is Medical RX LDD treated in horses?
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What is Anterior Enteritis?
What is Anterior Enteritis?
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What are the key characteristics of Anterior Enteritis?
What are the key characteristics of Anterior Enteritis?
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What are the typical clinical signs of Anterior Enteritis?
What are the typical clinical signs of Anterior Enteritis?
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What are temperature and rectal findings in Anterior Enteritis?
What are temperature and rectal findings in Anterior Enteritis?
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What are characteristics of reflux in Anterior Enteritis?
What are characteristics of reflux in Anterior Enteritis?
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What Abdominocentesis is frequently abnormal with high protein in Anterior Enteritis?
What Abdominocentesis is frequently abnormal with high protein in Anterior Enteritis?
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What are common bloodwork findings in Anterior Enteritis?
What are common bloodwork findings in Anterior Enteritis?
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How does Anterior Enteritis present differently from a strangulating lesion?
How does Anterior Enteritis present differently from a strangulating lesion?
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What characterises Anterior Enteritis vs Strangulating SMI?
What characterises Anterior Enteritis vs Strangulating SMI?
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What is the pathophysology of AE in horses?
What is the pathophysology of AE in horses?
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How is gastric decompression managed in Anterior Enteritis?
How is gastric decompression managed in Anterior Enteritis?
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How is fluid therapy managed in Anterior Enteritis in horses?
How is fluid therapy managed in Anterior Enteritis in horses?
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In the case of Hypoproteinemia (< 4 gm/dl) what causes it?
In the case of Hypoproteinemia (< 4 gm/dl) what causes it?
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What medication treatments for the Anterior Enteritis?
What medication treatments for the Anterior Enteritis?
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What issues are indications of use when using Antibiotics?
What issues are indications of use when using Antibiotics?
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What was done in the past for deworming?
What was done in the past for deworming?
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What is the results of foals having Ascarids?
What is the results of foals having Ascarids?
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What is a Small Strongyles resistant too?
What is a Small Strongyles resistant too?
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Quantitative Fecal Egg Counts help with?
Quantitative Fecal Egg Counts help with?
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What dose the book Recommendations Ascarids Foals mention?
What dose the book Recommendations Ascarids Foals mention?
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Study Notes
- Impactions and anterior enteritis are significant equine gastrointestinal issues.
- The most common type of impaction, risk factors, treatment, and nephrosplenic entrapment diagnosis and treatment are key objectives.
- Understanding the difference between proximal enteritis and strangulating small intestinal lesions and the treatment approach to proximal enteritis is important.
Impactions
- Impactions are the second most common cause of colic in horses.
- Common impaction locations include the pelvic flexure/colon #1, cecum, and small colon.
Large Colon Impactions
- Decreased water intake is the primary risk factor.
- Cold or frozen water, and new barn water can deter horses from drinking enough.
- Bad teeth also contribute to large colon impactions
Pelvic Flexure Impactions
- Mild to moderate pain and an insidious onset are characteristic.
- The heart rate shows a normal to mild increase.
- Temperature usually remains normal.
- Mucous membranes appear pink or pale, potentially with tacky dehydration.
- Horses are not typically endotoxemic unless the impaction has been long-standing.
- Gut sounds are decreased, and there's no nasogastric reflux.
- Rectal palpation reveals a hard to doughy impaction at the pelvic flexure.
- Feces will be hard and covered in mucus.
- Radiographs are useful when horses are too small to palpate.
- Recent water intake and fecal production history are important questions to ask.
- Bloodwork may indicate dehydration and potentially a low WBC count as a result of long-standing impactions.
- Abdominocentesis is normal, but if the condition is long-standing, abnormalities may be apparent where the impaction is severe and/or the bowel thin.
- Medical management is successful in most cases.
- Medical management: Flunixin meglumine at 1.1 mg/kg q 12 hours controls the pain, while careful attention needs to be paid to hydration.
- Xylazine and butorphanol should be avoided as they can cause ileus.
- Oral fluids can soften the feces, and address dehydration by delivering water into the lumen of the bowel.
- Administer 1 gallon, or 4 liters, of water or water and electrolytes at a time, and repeat as needed.
- Mineral oil administered at 0.5 to 1 gallon every 12 to 24 hours is very safe
- Cathartics, such as Epsom salts (MgSO4), sodium sulfate, or sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS), increase water in ingesta but can irritate the bowel, causing diarrhea.
- Options for impaction include surgery, IV fluids, mineral oil, or oral fluids
- Strive for 2-4 L q hour, being careful not to cause reflux.
- Intravenous fluids, at a rate of 2x maintenance, can soften feces in impactions, and can be administered in addition to oral fluids.
- Oral fluids: The stomach should empty in 30 minutes.
- Stop feeding until the impaction resolves.
- Green grass can be administered when resolving, but hay should be avoided.
- Encourage the horse to drink water, providing it warm and adding Kool-Aid or juice for flavour. Adding table salt to the diet encourages drinking.
- Light exercise encourages drinking and stimulates motility.
Sand Impactions
- Occur in sandy soil, due to horses eating off the ground, and sand accumulating in the large colon.
- Examine the feces and consider radiographs for diagnosis.
- Be cautious if performing abdominocentesis.
- Psyllium (metamucil) can be administered via nasogastric tube, pumping fast, and rinsing well.
- Prevention includes feeding off the ground and incorporating psyllium into the feed.
Cecal Impactions
- Less common than pelvic flexure impactions, and have similar causes.
- Concurrent illnesses, decreased motility, atropine (eyes), or opioids can cause Cecal Impactions.
- Associated with concurrent illness and motility problems.
- Less painful and more likely to rupture, surgery is indicated in many cases.
Small Colon Impactions
- Less common than pelvic flexure impactions.
- Diagnosed via rectal palpation.
- Many require surgery.
- Salmonella is more commonly isolated from horses with small colon impactions.
- Can result in an inflamed small colon, but it’s unknown whether that inflammation is the cause or an opportunistic effect.
Large Colon Displacements
- Right dorsal displacement and left dorsal displacement (nephrosplenic entrapment) may occur.
- Mild to moderate pain and a mild to moderate increase in heart rate are typical.
- Horses show no signs of endotoxemia and no nasogastric reflux.
- Decreased GIT sounds are auscultated.
- With left dorsal displacement, the spleen is displaced medially.
- A distended large colon and bowel between the body wall and spleen, coming from the nephrosplenic space can be palpated per rectum.
LDD
- Ultrasound may appear normal.
- Phenylephrine, an alpha 1 agonist, causes vasoconstriction to reduce spleen size.
- Administer 3-6 ug/kg over 15 minutes, then exercise/lunge the horse.
- Rare life-threatening hemorrhage in older horses is a risk.
Anterior Enteritis
- Also known as proximal enteritis, duodentitis-proximal jejunitis.
- It is an inflammatory condition of the small intestine (SMI).
- Characterized by ileus of SMI, fluid secretion into SMI, and pain due to fluid accumulation and distension of SMI and stomach.
- Moderate to severe pain and a moderate increase in heart rate occur, with potential pain and dehydration.
- Signs of endotoxemia may be apparent.
- Temperature ranges from normal to elevated (102-103 F).
- Rectal palpation will reveal small intestinal distension, which will be gone post refluxing.
- Thick wall or mesentery may be palpated.
- Nasogastric reflux is present, with foul-smelling, brown "old blood color" reflux that can be large in volume.
- Abdominocentesis is frequently abnormal, with high protein.
- Blood work is frequently abnormal, showing dehydration, azotemia, electrolyte abnormalities, low Na/Cl, and hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis.
- WBC range may indicate low to high.
- Anterior enteritis can be identical to strangulating SMI lesion.
- Most important is Pain: no pain after gastric decompression with AE.
- Fever, leukocytosis, and characteristic NG reflux (brown, foul odor) aid diagnosis.
- SMI distention with same diameter aids diagnosis, versus strangulating lesion which presents SMI different diameter
- Pathophysiology: Is unknown, infectious: Clostridial spp; Salmonella spp; may be caused by mycotoxins and can have a geographic distribution.
- Medical treatment includes gastric decompression with reflux q 2 hours, which may be necessary with amounts that vary from 4 L at once, to 80 L/day for several days.
- Correct present dehydration with fluid therapy, give patient maintenance fluids and replace ongoing losses
- Maintenance fluids should be 60 ml/kg/day.
Fluid Therapy Example
- Correct dehydration with (.08)(450 kg), equalling 36 L.
- Maintenance: (450 kg)(60 ml/kg/day) = 27 L/day.
- Ongoing Losses; Refluxing 40 L/day.
- Total Fluids/day = 103 L.
- Hypoproteinemia can occur at levels < 4 gm/dl due to loss via reflux, potentially decreasing the patient's circulatory volume.
- Options include plasma and dextran/hetastarch.
- NSAIDs (Banamine/Flunixin Megulmine) are anti-inflammatory, decrease effects of endotoxin and act as an analgesic
- DMSO is an anti-inflammatory/free radical scavenger.
- Antibiotics are not always needed; indications include fever, neutropenia, and elevated liver enzymes.
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics should be administered and not oral.
- Recommended antibiotics are Penicillin/Gentamicin.
- Promotility drugs include Lidocaine CRI, which has analgesic benefits, and Metaclopramide.
- Once reflux stops, introduce water back slowly.
- Introduce food back slowly.
Historical Deworming - 1966
- Deworming used to be performed every 2-4 months
- Rotate dewormers (classes)
- Deworm entire herd
- Deworm foals at birth (ivermectin) and every month
Parasites
- Resistance is an issue
- Ascarids affect foals/weanlings where it causes colic and death
- Resistance to Avermectins & Pyrantel has been documented.
- FBZ - only one working.
Small Strongyles
- Resistance is also an issue; Benzimidazoles / Pyrantel.
- Best option: avermectin (moxidectin).
- Fenbendazole: 2x dose for 5 days, but it is not as good as moxidecin.
Quantitative Fecal Egg Counts
- Used to identify level of egg shedding by determining low, moderate & high levels.
- Is effective with adult horses > 2 years.
- Determines when to deworm for small strongyles and identifying.
Recommendations – Ascarids Foals
- Stop deworming at birth because S. westeri is uncommon
- Deworm when parasites are approaching maturity (Prepatent period 10-12 weeks)
- Deworm between 60-70 days of age
- Fenbendazole (10 mg/kg) can be administered
- Could use Fecal Egg Count Reduction to make sure no resistance
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