Changes

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

*'''[[Colic, Medical Treatment|Medical treatment]]:''' if anatomical obstructions have been ruled out, '''prokinetic agents''' such as '''metoclopramide''' or '''bethanecol''' may prove useful to restore gastric motility, especially in the presence of post-operative ileus.  Bethanecol however produces dose-related gastrointestinal side effects including colic, diarrhoea and salivation.<ref>Murray, M.J (1990) Gastric ulceration.  In: Smith, B.P, '''Large Animal Internal Medicine''', ''CV Mosby Publishing Company'', USA, pp 648-652.  In:</ref>  '''Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)''' such as 'flunixin meglumine''' and '''phenylbutazone''' may also be beneficial in post operative ileus to help combat the effects of endotoxin.  It is crucial that '''gastric decompression''' is maintained in cases of delayed gastric emptying.  This can be achieved with an indwelling nasogastric tube, (although prolonged intubation carriesits own risk) or by repeated intubation.  '''IV fluid therapy''' should be given to ensure adequate hydration.(Proudman)

*'''[[Colic, Medical Treatment|Medical treatment]]:''' if anatomical obstructions have been ruled out, '''prokinetic agents''' such as '''metoclopramide''' or '''bethanecol''' may prove useful to restore gastric motility, especially in the presence of post-operative ileus.  Bethanecol however produces dose-related gastrointestinal side effects including colic, diarrhoea and salivation.<ref>Murray, M.J (1990) Gastric ulceration.  In: Smith, B.P, '''Large Animal Internal Medicine''', ''CV Mosby Publishing Company'', USA, pp 648-652.  In: Proudman, C.J, Baker, S.J (1994) Satellite Article: Gastric disease in the adult horse: a clinical perspective.  ''Equine Vet Educ'', 6(4):178-184.</ref>  '''Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)''' such as '''flunixin meglumine''' and '''phenylbutazone''' may also be beneficial in post operative ileus to help combat the effects of endotoxin.  It is crucial that '''gastric decompression''' is maintained in cases of delayed gastric emptying.  This can be achieved with an indwelling nasogastric tube, (although prolonged intubation carriesits own risk) or by repeated intubation.  '''IV fluid therapy''' should be given to ensure adequate hydration.<ref name="Proudman">Proudman, C.J, Baker, S.J (1994) Satellite Article: Gastric disease in the adult horse: a clinical perspective.  ''Equine Vet Educ'', 6(4):178-184.</ref>

*'''Surgical treatment''': The stomach of the adult horse, by virtue of its anatomical location in the cranial abdomen, partially enclosed by diaphragm and thoracic body wall, is difficult to access surgically. Extension of a midline laparotomy incision cranially improves access marginally but also increases the probability of post operative wound problems. With such difficult access and without the possibility of mobilising the stomach to bring it closer to the incision surgical options for treating gastric disease are very

*'''Surgical treatment''': The stomach of the adult horse, by virtue of its anatomical location in the cranial abdomen, partially enclosed by diaphragm and thoracic body wall, is difficult to access surgically. Extension of a midline laparotomy incision cranially improves access marginally but also increases the probability of post operative wound problems. With such difficult access and without the possibility of mobilising the stomach to bring it closer to the incision surgical options for treating gastric disease are very