Introduction to Equine clinic

Question 1

define colic

Answer 1

collection of clinical signs interpreted as evidence of pain originating from within the abdominal cavity
- any disease process which causes abdominal pain

Question 2

why are horses so frequently affected by gastrointestinal disease resulting in colic

Answer 2

hindgut fermenter - large fermentative vat cant erupt
domestication - change of diet
poor GIT tract design

Question 3

Temp of a horse

Answer 3

37-38.5

Question 4

heart rate

Answer 4

36 +/- 10

Question 5

respiratory rate

Answer 5

12 +/- 4

Question 6

what are the diagnostic test that can be used in the colic patient

Answer 6

a. nasogastric intubation
b. abdominal palpation per rectum
c. abdominocentesis
i. physical characteristrics
ii. cytologic analysis
iii. biochemical analysis
iv. microbiology
d. abdominal ultrasound
e. abdominal radiography
f. gastroscopy
g. clinical pathology

Question 7

what are the objective of nasogastric intubation

Answer 7

measure the volume - nromal 1-2L
ph
clinical response - pain relife?

Question 8

what does an acidic ph indication when performing a nasogastric intubation

Answer 8

gastric outflow obstruction

Question 9

what does an alakaline ph indication when performing a nasogastric intubation

Answer 9

small intestine a retrograde flow

Question 10

what are you trying to identify on abdominal palpation

Answer 10

bowel distension - SI vs LI 
presence of tight bands 
large or small colon impactions 
masses or hernias 
ruptured viscous 
loss of negative pressure 
gritty serosa

Question 11

what is the peritoneal fluid analysis used to asses

Answer 11

1. intestinal injury: SI - inflammation + ischaemia

2. peritoneal cavity disease: peritonisits, bowel rupture

Question 12

how do you perform an abdominocentesis

Answer 12

Most ventral aspect of linea alba. mildine or slighlt to right (spleen located on left)
aseptic preparation & technique
local anaesthesia
teat canual or 18G needle
sample collection: heparin (lactate, biochem), EDTA (cytology), red tube (culture)

Question 13

what complications can occur from a abdominocentesis

Answer 13

enterocentessis 
amniocentesis 
splenic tap 
omental evisceration 
haemorhage

Question 14

what is the normal colour of the fluid from abdominocentesis

Answer 14

pale yellow/straw coloured

Question 15

what does red fluid on abdominocentesis indicate

Answer 15

blood
- iatrogenic will form pellets when centrifuded
diapesis of RBC accroos damaged seroa - will not seperate out when centrifuged
haemabdomen

Question 16

what does brown/green indicate

Answer 16

ingesta - enterocentesis

Question 17

what is high abdominal fluid protein an indication of

Answer 17

Intestinal injury

abnormal >20g/L

Question 18

what is lactate an indicator of

Answer 18

Tissue ischaemia

Question 19

what is the normal concentration of lactate

Answer 19

2mmol/L `

Question 20

what is does plasma lactate reflect

Answer 20

metabolic state of every organ dehydration will compromise perfusion
Largest organs in the body will compensate the most

Question 21

why do we need to compare systemic lactate (plasma) to peritoneal?

Answer 21

peritoneal fluid is an ultrafiltrate of plasma - change in systemic lactate reflected in peritoneal lactate - must compare the 2
if Perionteal L1.5 x PlasmaLacte - suggestive of local production of lactate within the abdominal cavity

Question 22

what are the main clinical signs of a GIT rupture

Answer 22

Very dull/obtunded ==> dead horse walkking
NO cs - distension has been relived by a rupture
Tachycardia

Question 23

what are the steps involved in the diagnosis of GIT Obstruction

Answer 23

Abdominal palpation per rectum
passage of NGT
abdominocentessis - green, brown. malodorous feed material