GI/Clinical Exam of the Horse

Question 1

What must be measured in all examinations?

Answer 1

Heart rate
Mucous membranes
o Capillary refill time
o Colour
o Moistness
Gutsounds
Rectal temperature

Question 2

List 8 signs of pain in a horse

Answer 2

Pawing
Attempts to lie down
Flank-watching
Box-walking/circling
Sweating
Rolling
Kicking
Demeanour

Question 3

What is the normal temperature of a horse?

Answer 3

37-38*C

Question 4

What is the normal heart rate in a horse?

Answer 4

28-44

Question 5

What is the normal respiratory rate in a horse?

Answer 5

8-12

Question 6

What is a ‘toxic ring’?

Answer 6

A red or purple line above the teeth due to the build up of toxic compounds in the blood.

Question 7

What is the site for nasogastric intubation?

Answer 7

Ventral meatus -> using thumb to keep the tube directed.

Question 8

Why would you do nasogastric intubation?

Answer 8

In acute colic cases
- horse is unable to vomit
- removal of fluid reflux
- detection of gastric impaction
- relieving choke
- administer oral fluids/treatment

Question 9

What is the site for abdominocentesis?

Answer 9

1-3 cm caudal to the umbilicus along the lines alba or slightly paramedian.

Question 10

What information would you get from a peritoneal tap?

Answer 10

Useful in chronic colics to analyse:
- colour
- volume
- turbidity
- total protein
- cell number and type

Red = dead or compromised gut leaking blood

Question 11

What do you look for when BCS a horse?

Answer 11

Crest
Withers
Along the spine
Tailhead
Ribs
Behind the elbow

Question 12

What are the sites for GI asculation?

Answer 12

• Upper left (behind last rib, point of hip)
• Lower left (drop down 8 inches)
• Upper right (behind last rib, gas caecum)
• Lower right (drop down 8 inches)

Question 13

What anatomical part do the quadrants represent

Answer 13

UL = small colon

LL = pelvic flexure - can be quite as contain less fluid and gas.

UR = base of the cecum

LR = body of the cecum

Question 14

Why do you palpate the lines alba?

Answer 14

When palpating, apply a small amount of pressure. Horses should elevate the withers and mid-thoracic region. Horses with cranial thoracic pain or stiffness will not be able to elevate the withers.

Question 15

What can you palpate per rectum in the left hemisphere?

Answer 15

• Spleen
• Caudal pole of left kidney
• Pelvic flexure - no toenail bands palpable, no sacculations, variable diameter.
• Small colon - two taenial bands, faecal balls

Question 16

What can you palpate per rectum in the right hemsphere?

Answer 16

Caecum - large, gas and fluid filled, Caudal and medial taenial band running Doral to ventral.

Question 17

What are some of the indications that a colicing horse needs surgery

Answer 17

• No response to analgesia
• > 4L of fluid reflux from stomach
• No borborygmi
• Peritoneal fluid with increased levels of protein, lactate, erythrocytes, toxic neutrophils
• Tightly distended intestine
• Displace colon
• Foreign body indented on rectal exam