Colic Diagnosis - Small Intestinal Absorption Tests

D-xylose or D-glucose absorption tests can be used to assess the absorptive capacity of the small intestine to absorb carbohydrates. D-glucose is more widely available than d-xylose and so the oral glucose tolerance test is more commonly utilised in practice. To see how to perform these tests click here.

Diseases Causing a Reduced or Delayed Peak in Glucose Absorption in Horses are listed below;

• Chronic colitis (Salmonella spp)
• Infiltrive lymphosarcoma
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Cyanthostomosis
• Multisystemic eosinophillic epitheliotrophic disease
• Food Allergy
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

References

• Meuller E, Moore J. N, (2008) Classification and Pathophysiology of Colic, Gastrointestinal Emergencies and Other Causes of Colic, in Equine Emergencies- Treatments and Procedures, 3rd Edition, Eds Orsini J. A, Divers T.J, Saunders Elsevier, pp 101-102
• Reed S.M, Bayly W.M, Sellon D.C (2010) Diagnostic Evaluation, Disorders of the Gastrointestinal System, Equine Internal Medicine, 3rd Edition, Saunders Elsevier, pp 783 - 784