8/24 - Spasmodic Colic and Enteritis

Spasmodic

Which type of colic involves intestinal hypermotility and increased parasympathetic tone? It can occur due to lush pastures in the spring, diet changes, drinking cold water after exercise, heavy GI parasite loads, and poor feed quality.

Parasympathetic

What nerve tone will be increased in spasmodic colic?

Buscopan

What drug, plus NSAIDs, is given to treat spasmodic colic?

Flunixin

Which drug is the most commonly used NSAID for colic cases in equines?

L. intracellularis

What bacteria (first initial and species name) causes proliferative enteropathy in pigs and weanling foals, is a gram negative obligate intracellular parasite, and is transmitted through the fecal-oral route? Individual cases show ill thrift and subclinical cases can occur. Poor haircoat, pot-belly, weight loss, lethargy, poor growth rate, peripheral and abdominal edema, hypoproteinemia, infrequent diarrhea, and colic can all occur. Suspicion is based on age and low total protein, plus increased SI wall thickness. Treatment is just support with NSAIDs and omeprazole, plus fluids and antimicrobials (tetracyclines). Prognosis is fair-good if caught in time.

Isolation

What test, plus culture, is the gold standard for diagnosis of L. intracellularis? This requires an SI biopsy and Warthin-Starry silver stain.

IV

If oxytetracycline is given for L. intracellularis treatment, you should give it in what route? Doxycycline can then be given orally later.

Rifampin

Which antibiotic can be effective against L. intracellularis in foals but will cause colitis if mares are exposed to it, making it difficult to use?

4-6

Horses typically are weaned in what age range (months)?

DPJ

What condition (abbreviated) is a syndrome of inflammation and edema of the duodenum and proximal jejunem? There will be excessive fluid and electrolyte secretion in the proximal part of the SI, a high volume of gastric reflux, and SI distention with colic and abdominal pain. Fever, tachycardia, endotoxemia, decreased borborygmi, and dehydration can occur.

Functional

Is DPJ caused by functional or mechanical gastrointestinal ileus?

Osmotic

What type of diarrhea can occur in L. intracellularis cases due to CHO overload occurring subsequent to improper absorption of nutrients?

80-120

About how many liters per day of gastric reflux can occur in a 500 kg horse with DPJ? This fluid comes from parotid saliva, gastric secretions, pancreatic secretions, and bile.

Medical

Unless there is deterioration, is DPJ treated with medical or surgical treatment? You should rule out small intestinal obstructions and surgical diseases using rectal exam (dilated loops), NG tube (large volume and improvement after decompression), ultrasound (dilation, increased thickness), and belly tap (dark yellow/orange + elevated protein).

Serosanguineous

What appearance will peritoneal fluid in a strangulation case have? DPJ will be dark yellow or orange, with elevated protein.

Lidocaine

DPJ is treated using NSAIDs (flunixin meglumine), and a 2% CRI of what drug? IV fluids, nutritional support (TPN with double lumen catheter if needed), gastric emptying, laminitis prophylaxis, antimicrobials, and prokinetic therapy are also important if needed.

Yes

Can laminitis, thrombophlebitis, peritonitis, adhesion formation, pharyngitis, esophagitis, and high cost of treatment all be complications with DPJ or DPJ treatment?