Changes

* Body temperature may vary from pyrexic to subnormal

* Body temperature may vary from pyrexic to subnormal

* Bowel sounds may be absent

* Bowel sounds may be absent

The clinical signs are similar to those described for other forms of acute- peracute colitis, particularly acute salmonellosis. Rectal examination may often be normal. Other diagnoses that must be considered include grass sickness, acute small intestinal obstructions and intestinal thromboembolic infarctions.  

The clinical signs are similar to those described for other forms of acute- peracute colitis, particularly acute salmonellosis. Rectal examination may often be normal. Other diagnoses that must be considered include grass sickness, acute small intestinal obstructions and intestinal thromboembolic infarctions.  

==Diagnosis and Pathology==

==Diagnosis and Pathology==

Colitis x is a diagnosis made by exclusion. The above examination findings may be reported combined with an increased plasma urea concentration (greater than 10 mmol/l), increased PCV, leucopaenia, metabolic acidosis, hypokalaemia and hyponatraemia.  

Colitis x is a diagnosis of exclusion. The above examination findings may be reported combined with an increased plasma urea concentration (greater than 10 mmol/l), increased PCV, leucopaenia, metabolic acidosis, hypokalaemia and hyponatraemia.  

Diagnosis is often made post-mortem, where a hyperaemic or oedematous caecum and ventral colon may be seen with necrosis of the intestinal in the later stages of the disease. Numerous gram negative bacteria may be identified in the mucosa and submucosa. The intestinal tract may be filled with a foul smelling and watery content. Macroscopic and microscopic findings include signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation and large numbers of bacteria in the devitalized parts of the intestine. A green diphtheritic  

Diagnosis is often made post-mortem, where a hyperaemic or oedematous caecum and ventral colon may be seen with necrosis of the intestinal in the later stages of the disease. Numerous gram negative bacteria may be identified in the mucosa and submucosa. The intestinal tract may be filled with a foul smelling and watery content. Macroscopic and microscopic findings include signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation and large numbers of bacteria in the devitalized parts of the intestine. A green diphtheritic  

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Treatment is often unsuccessful and affected horses often require euthanasia. Aggressive fluid therapy and electrolyte replacement must be initiated, usually using a wide bore catheter. Pain is often severe and potent analgesics such as flunixin meglumine are required. The administration of sodium benzyl penicillin may be beneficial as ''Clostridium'' spp are sensitive to this type of antibiotic.  

Treatment is often unsuccessful and affected horses usually require euthanasia. If treatment is to be attempted, aggressive fluid therapy and electrolyte replacement must be initiated using a wide bore catheter. Pain is often severe and potent analgesics such as flunixin meglumine are required. The administration of sodium benzyl penicillin may be beneficial as ''Clostridium'' spp are sensitive to this type of antibiotic.  

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==