Topic B2 - Diet assoc with GIT diseases in horses

Question 1

What are the 4 diseases associated with diet

that affect horses

Answer 1

EGUS, diarrhoea, impactions and sand impactions and dx

Question 2

EGUS general background

Answer 2

Squamous more so than glandular- there is no
obvious connection so should examine for both
Primary due to management and nutrition
Secondary due to delayed gastric emptying

Question 3

Causes of EGUS

Answer 3

Concentrates (high starch)
High FFA's
Low fibre (fiber, protein and minerals (Ca) act as
buffers)
Low saliva

Question 4

Clinical Signs of EGUS

Answer 4

Decr appetite/ picky
Recumbent
Colicky after feeding
Weight loss
Poor performance
Sterotype- aggressive, nervous

Question 5

Management of EGUS

Answer 5

No pasture
Training
Reduce stress
Larger amounts of feed less frequently

Question 6

EGUS diet

Answer 6

PPI’s!!
Pasture/ roughages for the first 16 hrs
Feed 4-6x a day
1) Hay: give earlier than granulates
2) Ca and Protein (buffers)- alfalfa and clover in
the form of hay/ chaff (need to be good quality
so does not irritate)/. Pellet and straw (low
calcium and irritative) are not advised
3) Grain/ concentrate: oat or chaffed alfalfa/hay
4) corn oil

Question 7

EGUS hay

Answer 7

1.5kg/100kg

Question 8

EGUS calcium and CP

Answer 8

6-14mg/d DM

CP: 17-20%

Question 9

EGUS grain/ concentrate

Answer 9

MAX 1-2 kg at 6 hr intervals
Starch less that 2kg/bw daily (1g per kgbw per
meal)
Oat: is 40% starch, 2.5kg/500kg

Question 10

EGUS corn oil

Answer 10

Max 100ml/100kg
Omega 6: Omega 3 should be 3:1
(for flaxseed oil should be 0.26:1)

Question 11

What causes Dx

Answer 11

Carb overload

Question 12

Where do impactions occur

Answer 12

gastric, ileal, caecal and large colon

Question 13

Causes of impactions

Answer 13

dental issues
fibre size and quality
lack of water,
ravenous eater