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==Clinical Signs==
+
==Description==
==Description==
−Colitis X (so-called due to its unknown aetiology) is a peracute and highly fatal disease of horses. A number of possible underlying causes have been described, including drug or parasite hypersensitivity, salmonellosis, high-protein low-cellulose diets and clostridial enterocolitis.
+Colitis X (so-called due to its unknown aetiology) is a peracute and highly fatal disease of horses. Is characterised by severe oedematous colitis, sudden watery diarrhea and death within 24 hours. A number of possible underlying causes have been described, including drug or parasite hypersensitivity, salmonellosis, high-protein low-cellulose diets and clostridial enterocolitis. Stress has been reported as a predisposing factor to colitis X.
−==Signalment==
+==Clinical Signs==
+* Abdominal pain
+* Acute onset watery to haemorrhagic diarrhoea
+* Tachycardia (Heart rate often greater than 100bpm)
+* Dehydration
+* Signs relating to hypovolaemic or endotoxic shock, e.g. congested mucous membranes, prolonged capillary refill time, cold extremities.
+* Dilated pupils
+* Collapse
+* Body temperature may vary from pyrexic to subnormal
+* Bowel sounds may be absent
−==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
−Diagnosis is often based on the peracute nature of clinical signs.
==Pathology==
==Pathology==
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==Treatment==
==Treatment==
+Treatment is often unsuccessful and horses may often require euthanasia. Treatment methods previously described include aggressive fluid therapy with electrolyte replacement, antibiotics and analgesics.
==Prognosis==
==Prognosis==
+
+The prognosis is usually poor, with a mortality rate approaching 90-100%.
==Prevention==
==Prevention==