Changes

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]].

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]].

====Small Intestine====

====Small Intestine====

=====Spasmodic colic=====

=====[[Spasmodic Colic]]=====

Spasmodic colic accounts for a large proportion of colic cases seen in first-opinion practice, however, little is known about its causes.  It generally produces a mild colic, due to increased [[peristaltis|peristaltic]] activity in the gastro-intestinal tract.  Cases are usually easily resolved by treating with a [[spasmolytic]] such as [[Buscopan]], and a mild [[analgesic]] such as [[phenylbutazone]].

Spasmodic colic accounts for a large proportion of colic cases seen in first-opinion practice, however, little is known about its causes.  It generally produces a mild colic, due to increased [[peristaltis|peristaltic]] activity in the gastro-intestinal tract.  Cases are usually easily resolved by treating with a [[spasmolytic]] such as [[Buscopan]], and a mild [[analgesic]] such as [[phenylbutazone]].

=====[[Grass sickness]]=====

=====[[Grass Sickness]]=====

Equine grass sickness, or equine [[dysautonomia]] causes a paralysis of the gastro-intestinal tract, by disruption of the [[autonomic nervous system]].  This leads to a pooling of ingesta throughout all parts of the gastro-intestinal tract.  The condition may occur acutely, or progress chronically over several weeks, but all cases will eventually die.  A definitive diagnosis is obtained by taking an ileal [[biopsy]], and inspecting the intrinsic [[myenteric plexus]].  There is no effective treatment, although in the short to medium term, horses can be successfully managed by informed and attentive owners.

Equine grass sickness, or equine [[dysautonomia]] causes a paralysis of the gastro-intestinal tract, by disruption of the [[autonomic nervous system]].  This leads to a pooling of ingesta throughout all parts of the gastro-intestinal tract.  The condition may occur acutely, or progress chronically over several weeks, but all cases will eventually die.  A definitive diagnosis is obtained by taking an ileal [[biopsy]], and inspecting the intrinsic [[myenteric plexus]].  There is no effective treatment, although in the short to medium term, horses can be successfully managed by informed and attentive owners.