Changes

Failure to detect excessive gastric contents by stomach tube aspiration does not entirely preclude their presence.  Repeated attempts at obtaining reflux with frequent repositioning of the stomach tube are necessary. For reasons unknown, there are occasions when even the most diligent attempts at gastric decompression are unsuccessful in spite of large volumes of fluid being present.  It should also be emphasised that gastric impaction with solid food material is probably too firm to be siphoned by stomach tube.   

Failure to detect excessive gastric contents by stomach tube aspiration does not entirely preclude their presence.  Repeated attempts at obtaining reflux with frequent repositioning of the stomach tube are necessary. For reasons unknown, there are occasions when even the most diligent attempts at gastric decompression are unsuccessful in spite of large volumes of fluid being present.  It should also be emphasised that gastric impaction with solid food material is probably too firm to be siphoned by stomach tube.   

Septic peritonitis as a result of gastric rupture is reflected in a foetid, turbid peritoneal fluid sample containing particulate matter, a white cell count often in excess of 40 x 10% and a protein content of >30g/l.

'''Gastric rupture''' results in septic peritonitis which will be reflected in the nature of fluid collected by [[Colic Diagnosis - Abdominocentesis|abdominocentesis]]:

The diagnosis of gastric rupture may be supported by characteristic findings on rectal examination, namely: a gritty feeling on the serosal surfaces of intestine due to adherent food material, and the impression of 'space' in the abdomen due to gas in the peritoneal cavity.(Proudman)

*Foetid, turbid sample containing particulate matter

*White cell count >40 x 10^9/l

*Protein content >30g/l.

Findings on [[Colic Diagnosis - Rectal Examination|rectal examination]] may include:

*A 'gritty feeling' on the serosal surfaces of intestine due to adherent food material

*An impression of 'space' in the abdomen due to gas in the peritoneal cavity.(Proudman)

'''[[Colic Diagnosis - Clinicopathologic Evaluation|Laboratory findings]]<ref name="Camp">Campbell-Thompson, M.L, Merritt, A.M (1999) Alimentary system: diseases of the stomach.  In Colahan, P.T, Mayhew, I.G, Merritt, A.M, Moore, J.N ''Equine medicine and surgery'', St Louis, Mosby, pp 699-715.  In: Sanchez, L.C (2010) ''Other Disorders of the Stomach'' in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 15.</ref>:'''

'''[[Colic Diagnosis - Clinicopathologic Evaluation|Laboratory findings]]<ref name="Camp">Campbell-Thompson, M.L, Merritt, A.M (1999) Alimentary system: diseases of the stomach.  In Colahan, P.T, Mayhew, I.G, Merritt, A.M, Moore, J.N ''Equine medicine and surgery'', St Louis, Mosby, pp 699-715.  In: Sanchez, L.C (2010) ''Other Disorders of the Stomach'' in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 15.</ref>:'''