Inflammation related colics

Equine Colic Types

Erosions and ulcerations can lead to significant pain. NSAIDs are a common cause of GI ulceration in horses.

Duodenal ulcers

Duodenal ulceration is identified in foals and in adults.


Signalment	foals, yearlings
Clinical signs	fever mild-moderate colic mild obtundation diarrhea
Diagnosis	duodenoscopy contrast radiographs
Complications	Secondary gastric ulcers and reflux esophagitis duodenal perforation duodenal stricture and SI obstruction ascending cholangitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis death
Treatment	Supportive care – aggressive medical management parenteral nutrition may need surgical bypass
Risk factors	illness
Prognosis	Guarded
Prevention	quick attention to sick foals

Right dorsal colitis can cause severe pain and is often associated with performance horses on NSAIDs.


Signalment	performance horses
Clinical signs	acute severe or recurrent pain depression weight loss diarrhea fever hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypocalcemia, anemia ventral edema, limb edema
Diagnosis	ultrasound fecal occult blood surgery
Complications	other forms of NSAID toxicity
Treatment	discontinue NSAIDs supportive care – fluids, colloids consider misoprostol, sucralfate surgery – colon resection dietary adjustments
Risk factors	NSAID use
Prognosis	Guarded
Prevention	avoid NSAID overuse

Inflammatory bowel disease can lead to weight loss and multiple conditions related to poor nutrition.


Signalment	?
Clinical signs	Progressive weight loss Poor appetite Diarrhea Dermatitis Peripheral edema Anemia, hypoproteinemia
Diagnosis	intestinal biopsy rectal mucosal biopsy glucose or d-xylose absorption tests ultrasound – intestinal thickening gluten-dependent antibodies?
Complications	often fatal
Treatment	aggressive treatment often unsuccessful highly digestible well balanced feeds dexamethasone avoid dietary antigens metronidazole hydroxyurea surgical removal if focal
Risk factors	?
Prognosis	Good
Prevention	none

Proliferative enteropathy generally affects juveniles and is a growing concern.


Signalment	2-13 mo, especially 4-7mo; more often Aug-Jan
Clinical signs	Severe hypoproteinemia Chronic weight loss Intermittent colic Diarrhea Lethargy Stunted growth Ventral edema Occasional fever
Diagnosis	Ultrasound – thickened SI Profound hypoproteinemia (TPP <3 g/dl; albumin <1.5g/dl) Fecal PCR or rectal swab PCR (may not always be shedding) Serology – exposure Detection of bacteria in crypt epithelial cells Differentials : renal disease, colitis, parasites, Salmonella, Clostridial infection
Complications	Secondary to hypoproteinemia
Treatment	Supportive care – plasma, prednisone Antibiotics- oxytetracycline iv, doxycycline or minocycline po; treat 2-4 weeks
Risk factors	FPT overcrowding weaning transportation other illness
Prognosis	Good
Prevention	Avoid overcrowding Avoid contamination of feed and water (fecal-oral transmission) Separate sick animals Ensure good colostral intake Minimize stress to youngstock Monitor farm for outbreaks Off label use of swine vaccine?

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