Equine GIT Flashcards
Give some clinical signs of choke
Coughing Ptyalism (excessive salivation) Dysphagia (food and saliva evident at nostrils) Repeated flexion and extension of neck Sudden onset
What advice would you give to the owner of a horse with choke?
Most cases resolve spontaneously
Take all feed and water away
Monitor for 30 mins
If no improvement: vet involvement needed
If does resolve spontaneously: provide water but wait 1-2hr before feeding (give sloppy feeds)
Ask about dental history/evidence of quidding as dental problems need to be ruled out
On which side of the neck does the oesophagus lie in the horse?
Left
How should you treat a horse with choke if it has not spontaneously resolved?
Full history and clinical exam
Sedate with alpha 2 agonist eg romifidine and butorphanol +/- butylscopolamine
Keep horses head down to reduce aspiration
+/- oxytocin
Pass a nasogastric tube to confirm diagnosis
Perform lavage of the oesophagus
Repeat lavage until material is removed and stomach tube can be passed into stomach
How would you lavage the oesophagus when treating a horse with choke?
Warm (not hot) water
Stirrup pump
Single-ended stomach tube (ie not one with holes at bottom-less force pushing water through)
What aftercare should you provide for horses with choke after lavaging out the obstruction?
Decide if antimicrobials are needed (risk of inhalational pneumonia in protracted cases)
Provide water and gradually reintroduce feed over 24-48 hours (sloppy feed first)
Owner should monitor for nasal discharge/coughing/dullness
Rule out underlying cause (dental exam)
Endoscopic exam if 2 or more episodes of choke occur (rule out underlying cause eg stricture)
If feed is involved, it is sometimes appropriate to repeat lavage again in 4-8 hours
Why may oesophageal tears/perforations occur?
Following trauma (eg being kicked)
Secondary to oesophageal pathology (eg diverticulum)
Iatrogenic (eg stomach tubing)
What clinical signs would make you suspect an oesophageal tear or perforation?
Marked swelling and crepitus in the left cervical region]Deteriorating CV parameters
Give the consequences of carbohydrate overload
Intestinal bacterial fermentation and absorption of endotoxins -> colic and severe abdominal distension -> SIRS, laminitis, diarrhoea +/- death
What should you do initially in cases of carbohydrate overload?
Lavage gastric contents with warm water (within 1-2hrs of ingestion) until only water is retrieved \+/- administer activated charcoal (protects gut lining against endotoxins) (1-3g/kg as slurry) Administer flunixin 0.25g/kg IV q8h (anti-endotoxin effects) Perform cryotherapy (ice therapy) of feet (dampens the effect of SIRS and prevents laminitis)
How should you treat later stages of carbohydrate overload once signs of SIRS have developed?
Referral/intensive medical or surgical management
Poor prognosis if signs of colic/laminitis develop
What is the role of activated charcoal in cases of carbohydrate overload?
Protects gut lining against endotoxins
What is the role of flunixin in cases of carbohydrate overload?
Anti-endotoxin effects
What is dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing but usually expanded to include difficulty eating
What are the 3 major causes of dysphagia in horses?
Pain (eg abscess, dental, mouth pain, foreign body)
Neurogenic (eg head trauma, guttural pouch disease, pharyngeal paralysis, lead poisoning)
Obstructive (eg neoplasia, oesophageal obstruction/stricture)
Describe the approach to diagnosis of dysphagia
Full history Watch the horse try to eat to determine which phase the problem appears to be in (oral/pharyngeal/oesophageal) Full clinical exam Neuro assessment (esp. cranial nerves) \+/- intra-oral exam \+/- imaging Haematology/biochemistry
Describe the treatment for dysphagia in horses
Depends on underlying cause Referral may be warranted in some cases NSAIDs Slurry feed/nasogastric intubation \+/- IV fluids General nursing care and careful observation
How would you treat a mandibular fracture?
Sedate and examine mouth
Determine the fracture configuration
Fractures of the incisive plate can be treated in the field: sedate, nerve blocks, intra-oral wiring
Give some possible causes of a rectal prolapse
Diarrhoea Colic Heavy parasite burden Proctitis/mass in the rectum Other causes of repeated straining eg dystocia, RFM
How would you treat the different grades of rectal prolapse?
Grades I, II and III: reduce the prolapsed tissue and address underlying cause
Grade IV: surgical management (poor prognosis)
Give some possible consequences of trauma to the abdomen?
Rupture of the abdominal viscus Body wall tears/rupture Diaphragmatic tears Abdominal haemorrhage Peritonitis
How would you assess trauma to the abdomen?
Full history
Full clinical exam
+/- abdominocentesis
Treatment based on degree of trauma/repair of wounds/suspicion of internal organ damage (may need to refer)
Give some potential causes of haemabdomen
Secondary to abdominal trauma
-Splenic rupture/tear
-Uterine tear in pregnant mare
Following parturition (rupture of middle uterine artery)
How would you treat an incisional hernia?
Prolonged box rest
Commercial hernia belt (belly band)
Surgical repair may be required (4-6 months after initial surgery) (prosthetic mesh placement)