Hormonal (stress, pregnancy), drugs (most sedatives) and electrolyte changes can alter motility, leading to colic.
Postoperative ileus and exertional ileus
Signalment
recent abdominal surgery or intense exercise
Clinical signs
colic
tachycardia
shock
reflux
Diagnosis
reflux
distended SI
lack of manure
Complications
gastric rupture
hypovolemic shock
Treatment
nasogastric intubation
motility stimulants
iv fluids
time
lower body temp if overheated
Risk factors
surgery
endurance racing
performance in hot, humid weather
Prognosis
Guarded for POI; treatment can be prolonged and expensive
good for exertional ileus
Prevention
lidocaine iv for POI
proper conditioning, avoid overheating for exertional ileus
Proximal duodenitis jejunitis
Inflammation can also lead to ileus. Proximal enteritis is a syndrome characterized by inflammation and edema in the proximal SI, leading to excessive fluid and electrolyte secretion. Both Salmonella and Clostridium have been implicated in proximal enteritis.
Signalment
>1.5 years
Clinical signs
Moderate to severe colic
Large amount of reflux, often orange brown with fetid odor
Fever
Dehydration
Injected mucous membranes
Shock
Tachypnea
Depression (less painful)
Diagnosis
Rectal palpation – moderate SI distension
Differentials -other causes of ileus, strangulating lipoma
Compared to a physical obstruction, PDJ is more likely to be associated with fever, leukocytosis, less pain, more depression
Abdominocentesis tends to have a mild increase in WBCs and protein; it should not be serosanguinous
Complications
Laminitis
Adhesions
Gastric rupture
Myocarditis
Hypovolemic shock
Death
Treatment
Refer for medical management (supportive care, motility stimulants) or surgical decompression
