Colic, Gastric Causes

Gastric Causes of Colic

• Gastroduodenal ulceration or Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is a common cause of mild to moderate colic.
• Pyloric obstruction and delayed gastric emptying
• Gastric dilation and rupture
• Gastric impaction
• Food Engorgement: a life threatening condition, with a great risk of gastric rupture, and also of secondary laminitis. It is caused by excess food intake, for example, a horse that has broken into a food store.
• Gastric/pyloric spasm: this commonly affects racehorses, immediately after racing, and is known colloquially as 'racehorse colic'. Typically, the animal will have had access to cold water, but this is not always the case. Although the signs of colic seen may be very violent, this condition is not associated with any risk of gastric rupture. Spasmolytic drugs are ineffective in treatment, however, naso-gastric intubation is immediately curative.
• Neurological atony: a chronic motility dysfunction, leading to a slow filling of the stomach with ingesta. Inhibition of gastric outflow is not normally a feature, and therefore gastric rupture is not a risk. A mild colic may be seen, but far more common is poor condition and reduced performance. Warmblood horses are more commonly affected than other breeds, leading to the suggestion that there may be a genetic component to the disorder.
• Gastric Neoplasia: a malignant squamous carcinoma can effect the cardia and upper squamous regions of the stomach, resulting in a persistent mild colic, commonly seen soon after feeding. Weight loss and general ill health are usually seen, and the prognosis is very poor, due to the high risk of metastasis.