Equine Flashcards
(46 cards)
Where do most esophageal obstructions occur?
Proximal esophagus
What are the clinical signs of esophageal obstruction?
Nasal discharge (feed, saliva, or milk in young animals)
Salivation
Distress, head extension, lethargy, dehydration
May have abnormal lung sounds
How is esophageal obstruction diagnosed?
By esophageal palpation and the inability to pass a nasogastric tube
Endoscopy or radiography may be used
What is the first step in treating esophageal obstruction?
Sedate the horse!
Can use alpha-2 agonists (xylazine, detomidine) or butorphanol
Which drug is favored for esophageal relaxation? What other drugs can be used?
Buscopan
Can use oxytocin or lidocaine
What else should be done in the management of esophageal obstruction?
NSAIDs for analgesia
Antibiotics to prevent pneumonia
Slowly return to normal diet
Exclude underlying causes (do dental exam, endoscopy)
What are some potential complications of esophageal obstruction?
Laryngeal paralysis, esophageal rupture, strictures
May develop pneumonia if foreign material is aspirated
What is the most common type of esophageal neoplasia in horses?
Squamous cell carcinoma
What are the general reasons a horse may have GI pain?
Distention, traction on the mesentery, ischemia, inflammation
What questions need to be answered when evaluating a horse with colic?
Can the pain be controlled?
Is it small or large intestine?
Is it strangulating or non-strangulating?
Does it need surgery?
What is the prognosis? (i.e. is euthanasia necessary?)
What is the most common type of colic?
Large intestinal non-strangulating, either gas/spasmodic or large colon impaction
What are the subtle signs of colic?
Anorexia
Lying down more than usual
Decreased fecal production (normally passed every other hour)
What signs might a horse with moderate pain due to colic show?
Pawing, stretching
Flank watching
Abdominal distention
What signs might a horse with severe pain due to colic show?
Rolling, thrashing
Facial abrasions
If a horse showing severe pain suddenly becomes depressed, what is your major concern?
Rupture
If you suspect colic, which vital sign is extremely important?
Heart rate
What characteristics of the mucous membranes should be evaluated in a colic workup?
Color, moisture, CRT, toxic line
True or false: When listening to gut sounds, even minor changes can be significant.
False. Look for big changes, like complete absence of gut sounds.
What should be done in cases of moderate and severe colic?
Pass a nasogastric tube!
What amount of net reflux from the stomach is considered significant?
Greater than 2-3 L
When is abdominocentesis typically used?
To differentiate small intestinal strangulating versus non-strangulating colic.
What are the characteristics of normal peritoneal fluid?
Clear with yellowish tinge, no blood
5,000-10,000 WBC/microliter
Less than 2g/dL of protein
Lactate not significantly elevated compared to plasma
What should be done as initial therapy in colic cases?
Analgesia (gastric decompression and drugs)
Fluid therapy
What are some drugs appropriate for analgesia in colic cases?
NSAIDs, alpha-2 agonists, opioids, Buscopan