Category:Colic Diagnosis in the Horse

Colic Diagnosis - Abdominocentesis

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Faecal Examination

The amount of faeces produced, and its character can be helpful. The texture of the faeces can indicate digestive or dental disorders affecting prehension, mastication and absorption of the diet, as well as hydration. Parasitic disease can be diagnosed by the detection of parasite ova using fecal floatation techniques. The faeces can also be examined for the presence of bacteria, parasites, viruses and blood. Rotaviruses are a common cause of diarrhoea in foals and can be diagnosed by detection of the virus in ELISAs or by electron microscopy. Bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Campylobacter , Salmonella and Clostridium species. In areas where sand colic is known to be common, or if the history suggests it may be a possibility, faeces can be examined for the presence of sand, often by immersion in water, or simply by its texture. Diarrhea is usually indicative of a non-surgical condition, although it can be associated with life threatening conditions such as salmonellosis.

Abdominal Ultrasound

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the abdomen is extremely useful in characterizing certain components of the disease process in the foal or horse with colic. The findings of the abdominal ultrasound can distinguish surgical and medical colic patients. It is a very useful non-invasive diagnostic tool and can be used to guide other techniques such as abdominocentesis. It can be carried out trans-abdominally or trans-rectally. The latter scenario is useful for confirming andormalities palpated on prior rectal examinations.

It is important that the veterinarian is confident with the normal abdominal ultrasound of the horse in order to detect significant abnormalities. The amount and character of free abdominal fluid can be determined, as well as the determination of a specific place for safe, high-yield abdominocentesis. The appearance of intestine including distension of the lumen, increased wall thickness and motility (or lack thereof, often seen as sedimentatioon of digesta)indicate a degree of intestinal comprimise and can be extremely important in the decision for surgical or medical therapy. The large colon and cecum can be evaluated for wall thickness (particularly useful in cases of right dorsal colitis), fluidy contents (colitis/diarrhea), and sometimes displacement. The presence of mesenteric vessels associated with the large colon is generally associated with displacement. The normal anti-mesenteric vessels of the cecum can be used to trace its course. Ventral displacement of the spleen with obscuring of the left kidney is associated with nephro-splenic displacement. Visualization of sacculated large bowel immediately ventral to the liver or spleen, or non-sacculated large bowel in the ventral abdomen suggests displacement. The stomach can be evaluated for fluid distension and abnormalities of the wall. Significant fluid distention of the stomach should indicate that nasogastic decompression is needed. Abdominal ultrasound is useful in detecting diaphragmatic or inguinal herniation. Masses of the spleen, kidneys and liver can be demonstrated and may be incidental findings or causes of false colic.

Liver Biopsy and Liver Function Tests

Small Intestinal Absorption Tests

References