Equine Flashcards

(46 cards)

1
Q

Where do most esophageal obstructions occur?

A

Proximal esophagus

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2
Q

What are the clinical signs of esophageal obstruction?

A

Nasal discharge (feed, saliva, or milk in young animals)
Salivation
Distress, head extension, lethargy, dehydration
May have abnormal lung sounds

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3
Q

How is esophageal obstruction diagnosed?

A

By esophageal palpation and the inability to pass a nasogastric tube
Endoscopy or radiography may be used

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4
Q

What is the first step in treating esophageal obstruction?

A

Sedate the horse!

Can use alpha-2 agonists (xylazine, detomidine) or butorphanol

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5
Q

Which drug is favored for esophageal relaxation? What other drugs can be used?

A

Buscopan

Can use oxytocin or lidocaine

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6
Q

What else should be done in the management of esophageal obstruction?

A

NSAIDs for analgesia
Antibiotics to prevent pneumonia
Slowly return to normal diet
Exclude underlying causes (do dental exam, endoscopy)

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7
Q

What are some potential complications of esophageal obstruction?

A

Laryngeal paralysis, esophageal rupture, strictures

May develop pneumonia if foreign material is aspirated

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8
Q

What is the most common type of esophageal neoplasia in horses?

A

Squamous cell carcinoma

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9
Q

What are the general reasons a horse may have GI pain?

A

Distention, traction on the mesentery, ischemia, inflammation

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10
Q

What questions need to be answered when evaluating a horse with colic?

A

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?)

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11
Q

What is the most common type of colic?

A

Large intestinal non-strangulating, either gas/spasmodic or large colon impaction

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12
Q

What are the subtle signs of colic?

A

Anorexia
Lying down more than usual
Decreased fecal production (normally passed every other hour)

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13
Q

What signs might a horse with moderate pain due to colic show?

A

Pawing, stretching
Flank watching
Abdominal distention

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14
Q

What signs might a horse with severe pain due to colic show?

A

Rolling, thrashing

Facial abrasions

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15
Q

If a horse showing severe pain suddenly becomes depressed, what is your major concern?

A

Rupture

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16
Q

If you suspect colic, which vital sign is extremely important?

A

Heart rate

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17
Q

What characteristics of the mucous membranes should be evaluated in a colic workup?

A

Color, moisture, CRT, toxic line

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18
Q

True or false: When listening to gut sounds, even minor changes can be significant.

A

False. Look for big changes, like complete absence of gut sounds.

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19
Q

What should be done in cases of moderate and severe colic?

A

Pass a nasogastric tube!

20
Q

What amount of net reflux from the stomach is considered significant?

A

Greater than 2-3 L

21
Q

When is abdominocentesis typically used?

A

To differentiate small intestinal strangulating versus non-strangulating colic.

22
Q

What are the characteristics of normal peritoneal fluid?

A

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

23
Q

What should be done as initial therapy in colic cases?

A

Analgesia (gastric decompression and drugs)

Fluid therapy

24
Q

What are some drugs appropriate for analgesia in colic cases?

A

NSAIDs, alpha-2 agonists, opioids, Buscopan

25
What is the maintenance rate for fluid therapy in horses?
40-50 mL/kg/day
26
What are some possible abnormalities that can be noted in the peritoneal fluid?
Serosanguinis fluid, elevated WBC count, elevated protein concentration, plasma greater than twice the concentration of plasma
27
When should IV fluids be given over enteral fluids?
In cases of significant gastric reflux (more than 2-3 L) Severe pain Substantial dehydration
28
What are the clinical signs of equine gastric ulcer syndrome in adult horses?
Non-specific, may include anorexia, chronic/intermittent colic, decreased performance, poor quality coat, etc.
29
How is equine gastric ulcer syndrome diagnosed?
Based on clinical signs and response to treatment | Endoscopy
30
True or false: the severity of ulceration found on endoscopy is well correlated to the severity of the clinical signs.
False. Horses with EGUS diagnosed by endoscopy may be clinically normal.
31
Which clinical sign of equine gastric ulcer syndrome may be seen in foals but not adults?
Diarrhea
32
What are some potential risk factors for the development of equine gastric ulcer syndrome?
Any type of exercise, NSAID administration | Management (diet, feeding patterns, environment)
33
What drugs can be used to treat equine gastric ulcer syndrome? Which one is FDA approved?
FDA approved: Omeprazole (proton pump inhibitor) | Others: H2 antagonists, sucralfate
34
Which particular group of horses develop gastroduodenal ulcer disease?
Suckling and early weaning foals under 6 months old
35
What are the clinical signs of gastroduodenal ulcer disease?
Resembles equine gastric ulcer syndrome
36
What characterizes gastroduodenal ulcer syndrome?
Lesions in the proximal duodenum as well as the stomach, decreased gastric emptying, gastroesophageal reflux
37
When is surgical intervention in gastroduodenal ulcer syndrome needed?
If strictures develop in the duodenum and create a gastric outflow obstruction
38
What are the risk factors in developing ileal impaction? Which is more common?
Feeding coastal Bermuda grass- more common | Tapeworms
39
What are the physical exam findings in a case of ileal impaction?
Moderate to severe pain Distended small intestine May or may not have gastric reflux
40
True or false: peritoneal fluid from a case of ileal impaction is often normal.
True. In some cases, there may be an increase in total protein.
41
How is ileal impaction treated?
Gastric decompression, withdraw food and water Analgesics and IV fluid therapy Surgery if not improved in 24-36 hours or abnormal peritoneal fluid Deworm if caused by tapeworms
42
What are the clinical findings in the case of a cecal impaction?
Varying degrees of pain Usually no reflux Distended cecum (with feed or fluid)
43
What are the risk factors for developing cecal impaction?
Mares near parturition, general anesthesia
44
How is cecal impaction treated?
Identify early! Withdraw feed IV fluids plus enteral laxatives Usually needs surgery- rupture common
45
Large colon impactions often happen at which site?
The pelvic flexure
46
In Florida, what material can cause impactions besides feed?
Sand