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