Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Gastrointestinal Diseases
Gastrointestinal diseases in horses encompass a range of disorders affecting the digestive tract, from the mouth to the intestines. These conditions can include colic, gastric ulcers, enteritis, and colitis, among others. The gastrointestinal system in horses is complex and sensitive, making it susceptible to various disruptions. Factors such as diet, management practices, and environmental stressors can influence the onset and progression of these diseases. Understanding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options for gastrointestinal diseases is essential for maintaining equine health and welfare. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the causes, clinical presentations, and management strategies for gastrointestinal diseases in horses.
Thrombelastographic characterization of coagulation/fibrinolysis in horses: role of carboxyheme and metheme states. Carboxyheme and metheme states modulate hemostasis in humans and other species. Further, carbon monoxide and/or nitric oxide production increase in inflammatory disorders involving the gastrointestinal tract, with associated hypercoagulability or hypocoagulability. In particular, the horse suffers both thrombotic or coagulopathic complications during acute gastrointestinal disease. This investigation characterized the thrombelastographic response to carboxyheme (via CORM-2) or metheme (via phenylhydroxylamine, PHA) states without/with addition of tissue type plasminogen activator. Citrated pla...
Comparison of single layer staple closure versus double layer hand-sewn closure for equine pelvic flexure enterotomy. Our objective was to compare thoracoabdominal (TA Premium™ 90) stapled enterotomy closure to traditional hand-sewn closure, using time to perform the technique, luminal diameter, and bursting pressure in ex-vivo specimens. The pelvic flexures of 13 client-owned horses were harvested. Each pelvic flexure had 1 enterotomy performed; 6 were closed via staples, 7 closures were hand-sewn. Luminal diameter at the enterotomy site was assessed via contrast radiography performed pre-and post-enterotomy. Bursting pressure of the closure was assessed by continuous manometry during rapid infusion. Time ...
Medical management of sand enteropathy in 62 horses. Medical management of sand enteropathy is common in equine practice, but the clinical features and outcomes associated with medically managed sand enteropathy are not well described. Objective: To review clinical features, therapeutic approaches and outcomes associated with primary medical management of sand enteropathy in the mature horse. Methods: Medical record databases at 3 equine referral hospitals from January 2000 to April 2010 were reviewed for cases of sand enteropathy diagnosed via abdominal radiographs in mature horses that were initially managed medically. Data were collected and ...
Saccharomyces boulardii viability and efficacy in horses with antimicrobial-induced diarrhoea. Saccharomyces boulardii has been successfully used in the prevention and treatment of antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea in humans. We hypothesised that a viable, dried lyophilised preparation of S boulardii would survive in the gastrointestinal tract of horses with antimicrobial-associated enterocolitis, and significantly decrease the duration of diarrhoea. Twenty-one horses, over one year of age, with antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea of up to 72 hours duration, were consecutively randomised in a controlled prospective study. The treatment group received S boulardii (25 g, orally, every 12 ...
Field efficacy of praziquantel oral paste against naturally acquired equine cestodes in Ethiopia. The efficacy of an oral formulation of praziquantel (Equitape, Horse paste, Fort Dodge) in the reduction of cestode egg counts and serum antibody level against Anoplocephala perfoliata was assessed in 44 donkeys under field conditions. The donkeys were confirmed both by faecal examination and serum antibody assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to have natural infection with tapeworms. The donkeys were randomly allocated into treatment (n = 22) and control (n = 22) groups. The treatment group was treated with both praziquantel and ivermectin (Ivomec, Merial) at a dose rate o...
Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in horses: pathogenesis and therapeutics. This article discusses the potential role of oxidative injury to the intestinal tract of horses and the therapeutic approaches that have been investigated to decrease cellular damage secondary to ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Equine colic is a major concern for horse owners and veterinary practitioners. Strangulating and obstructive lesions of the small and large intestines commonly require intervention in patients via exploratory celiotomy. However, the application of information from experimentally induced IR injury in horses to clinical cases of naturally occurring equine colic is not c...
Evaluation of L-lactate and cardiac troponin I in horses undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. To evaluate changes in plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and L-lactate (LLt) as prognostic indicators in horses undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Methods: Prospective observational study. Methods: Veterinary teaching hospital. Methods: Thirty-four horses undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Methods: Serial blood sampling during various times during hospitalization (hospital admission, and 12, 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively) evaluating cTnI and LLt concentrations. Results: All horses required surgery for correction of a strangulating (n = 29) or nonstrangulating obstruction (n = 5) of...
Prevalence of gastric and duodenal ulceration in 691 nonsurviving foals (1995-2006). Gastric ulcer disease is reported to be a significant cause of morbidity in foals, but the prevalence of ulcers in this population has not recently been evaluated. Objective: To determine the prevalence of gastric and duodenal ulceration in nonsurviving foals, and the association of ulceration with the body system of primary diagnosis. Secondary objectives were to evaluate a potential association between age and ulcer prevalence and to evaluate the use of antacid medication in the neonatal hospital population during the study years. Methods: Necropsy records were searched for all equine access...
Gluten-dependent antibodies in horses with inflammatory small bowel disease (ISBD). Equine inflammatory small bowel disease (ISBD) is an idiopathic pathologic condition seeming to increase in prevalence. Objective: To investigate the potential role of gluten in equine ISBD. Methods: Antibodies known to be important in the diagnosis of human coeliac disease (CD): IgA antibodies to human recombinant and guinea pig tissue-transglutaminase (TGA), native gliadin (AGA), deamidated-gliadin-peptides (DGPA), and primate and equine endomysium (EMA) were assessed in blood samples from three different groups of horses: ISBD affected (n = 12) on a gluten-rich diet and controls either ...
Salmonella enterica shedding in hospitalized horses and associations with diarrhea occurrence among their stablemates and gastrointestinal-related illness or death following discharge. To evaluate the potential association between Salmonella enterica shedding in hospitalized horses and the risk of diarrhea among stablemates, and to characterize gastrointestinal-related illness and death following discharge among horses that shed S. enterica while hospitalized. Methods: Retrospective cohort study [corrected]. Methods: 221 horses (59 that shed S. enterica during hospitalization and 162 that tested negative for S. enterica shedding ≥ 3 times during hospitalization). Methods: Information from medical records (signalment, results of microbial culture of fecal samples, clinical ...
The prevalence and nature of cardiac arrhythmias in horses following general anaesthesia and surgery. The prevalence and nature of arrhythmias in horses following general anaesthesia and surgery is poorly documented. It has been proposed that horses undergoing emergency surgery for gastrointestinal disorders may be at particular risk of developing arrhythmias. Our primary objective was to determine the prevalence and nature of arrhythmias in horses following anaesthesia in a clinical setting and to establish if there was a difference in the prevalence of arrhythmias between horses with and without gastrointestinal disease undergoing surgery. Our secondary objective was to assess selected avail...
Gastric and enteric phytobezoars caused by ingestion of persimmon in equids. CASE DESCRIPTION-13 equids (10 horses, 2 donkeys, and 1 pony) were examined for signs of colic (n = 7), weight loss (6), anorexia (3), and diarrhea (2). Ten equids were evaluated in the fall (September to November). Seven equids had a history of persimmon ingestion. CLINICAL FINDINGS-A diagnosis of phytobezoar caused by persimmon ingestion was made for all equids. Eight equids had gastric persimmon phytobezoars; 5 had enteric persimmon phytobezoars. Gastroscopy or gastroduodenoscopy revealed evidence of persimmon ingestion in 8 of 10 equids in which these procedures were performed. TREATMENT A...
An evaluation of the Abaxis VSPro for the measurement of equine plasma fibrinogen concentrations. Accurate measurement of plasma fibrinogen concentrations is an important tool for assessment of horses with inflammatory diseases. Objective: To determine the precision and accuracy of a benchtop instrument using both fresh and frozen equine plasma by comparing the plasma fibrinogen concentration measured by a benchtop instrument to 2 separate laboratory standard methods (ACL 100 and STA Compact) for fibrinogen measurement. Methods: Accuracy and precision of the VSPro was evaluated using both human fibrinogen standards and samples from horses. Fifty frozen samples from horses with gastrointest...
Detection of calprotectin and apoptotic activity within the equine colon from horses with black walnut extract-induced laminitis. The black walnut extract (BWE) model of equine laminitis is associated with a systemic inflammatory response manifest by increased expression of inflammatory cytokines in the lungs and liver as well as the laminae. The specific role of the gastrointestinal tract in development of this response is unclear and is of utmost importance, as gastrointestinal disease and laminitis are intimately related. We investigated calprotectin expression and epithelial and endothelial apoptosis in the colon of horses exposed to orally administered BWE. Sections of colon from 19 horses including 7 controls not e...
Implications of urine F2-isoprostane metabolite concentration in horses with colic and its potential use as a predictor for surgical intervention. F2-isoprostanes have been used extensively to quantify lipid peroxidation in association with risk factors in various diseases. Horses with colic may have intestinal ischaemia and/or inflammation characterised by oxidative stress and increased production of isoprostanes. Objective: To gather preliminary data regarding the feasibility of using urine F2-isoprostanes and isoprostane metabolites as early screening tools for the presence of gastrointestinal disease requiring surgical intervention in horses and ultimately develop a stall-side test capable of identifying these horses as early as poss...
Peritoneal and plasma D-lactate concentrations in horses with colic. To evaluate the association between peritoneal fluid and plasma d-lactate concentration with variables used in the diagnosis and prognosis of horses with colic. Methods: Clinically healthy horses (n=6) and 90 horses with colic. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods: D-lactate concentration was determined in peritoneal fluid and plasma of all horses. Information on other blood and peritoneal fluid variables, signalment, results from the physical examination, outcome, need for surgery, lesion location, and type was retrieved from medical records. Results: Peritoneal D-lactate conce...
Is there a statistical correlation between ultrasonographic findings and definitive diagnosis in horses with acute abdominal pain? Abdominal ultrasonography has become a part of the diagnostic investigation for the acute abdomen in many equine clinics. There is limited information on the correlation between abnormalities detected on abdominal ultrasonography and the specific category of small intestine (SI) and large intestine (LI) diseases. Objective: To investigate the relationship between abdominal ultrasonographic findings and disease categories that cause abdominal pain requiring surgery. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for horses undergoing surgery or post mortem examination for colic. The ultrasound examinat...
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a horse: a case of myenteric ganglionitis. An 11-year-old Quarter horse mare was presented for recurrent episodes of colic. A chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction was diagnosed. Medical treatment and surgical resection of the colon were performed but the condition did not improve and the horse was euthanized. Histopathological examination revealed a myenteric ganglionitis of the small intestine and ascending colon. Une jument Quarter Horse âgée de 11 ans a été présentée pour coliques récurrentes. Une pseudo-obstruction intestinale chronique a été diagnostiquée. Le traitement médical et la résection chirurgicale du côlon ...
Pulmonary gas exchange and plasma lactate in horses with gastrointestinal disease undergoing emergency exploratory laparotomy: a comparison with an elective surgery horse population. To characterize pulmonary gas exchange and arterial lactate in horses with gastrointestinal disease undergoing anesthesia, compared with elective surgical horses, and to correlate these variables with postoperative complications and mortality. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Horses undergoing emergency laparotomy for acute intestinal disease (n = 50) and healthy horses undergoing elective surgery in dorsal recumbency (n = 20). Methods: Arterial blood gas analysis was performed at predetermined intervals on horses undergoing a standardized anesthetic protocol. Alveolar-arterial ox...
Disorders of calcium and phosphate metabolism in horses. Calcium and phosphate have structural and nonstructural functions, and their concentrations in the extracellular compartment are affected by the physiologic status of the animal as well as diseases. Important progress in understanding calcium and phosphorus metabolism in healthy and diseased horses and foals has been made in recent years. For example, several studies have confirmed that hypocalcemia is frequent in horses with gastrointestinal disease and that calcium endocrine dysregulation is associated with survival in foals. One critical point in the homeostasis of these minerals is their i...
Plasma endotoxin in horses presented to an equine referral hospital: correlation to selected clinical parameters and outcomes. Endotoxaemia is frequently presumed on the basis of clinical signs in horses with colic. Objective: Measurements of plasma endotoxin (LPS) are rarely made in clinical cases and there is little information on the correlations between this variable, clinical variables and outcomes. Objective: To measure LPS levels in plasma of horses presented to the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital on admission and daily for up to 4 days and to relate LPS levels to selected clinical parameters, such as heart rate and packed cell volume, and outcomes. Methods: Blood samples were collected and stored at -20°C p...
Thrombelastography in horses with acute gastrointestinal disease. Coagulopathies in horses with gastrointestinal disease are frequently identified and associated with morbidity and fatality. Objective: Determine if thrombelastography (TEG) identifies abnormalities associated with lesion type, presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), morbidity, and fatality more consistently than traditional coagulation testing. Methods: One-hundred and one horses examined for gastrointestinal disease and 20 healthy horses. Methods: TEG, tissue factor (TF)-TEG, and traditional coagulation panels parameters and percentages of horses with coagulopathies were ...
Effects of epidural morphine on gastrointestinal transit in unmedicated horses. To evaluate the effect of epidural morphine on gastrointestinal (GI) motility in horses. Methods: Randomly ordered crossover design. Methods: Six healthy adult horses weighing 585± 48 kg (mean±SD). Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to receive either 0.2 mg kg(-1) morphine or an equal volume (0.04 mL kg(-1)) of saline epidurally (the first inter coccygeal space) with 2 weeks between treatments. The horses were stabled, fed a standardized diet and allowed water ad libitum throughout the duration of the study. Radiopaque spheres were administered by stomach tube. Xylazine 0.2 mg kg(-1) int...
Association between hypercoagulability and decreased survival in horses with ischemic or inflammatory gastrointestinal disease. Coagulopathies are common in horses with ischemic or inflammatory gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances. There is indirect evidence suggesting that early stages of these diseases are characterized by hypercoagulability (HC). Objective: HC, assessed via thromboelastography (TEG), is common in horses with ischemic or inflammatory GI diseases. The degree of HC is correlated with nonsurvival and thrombotic complications. Methods: Thirty client-owned horses with ischemic or inflammatory GI disease, 30 client-owned horses with nonischemic or inflammatory GI disease, and 30 healthy horses (control group...
Expression of genes associated with inflammation induced by ex vivo exposure to lipopolysaccharide in peripheral blood leukocytes from horses with gastrointestinal disease. To investigate the effect of ex vivo exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of inflammatory genes in leukocytes from horses with gastrointestinal (Gl) disease and determine whether the pattern or magnitude of the response to LPS correlated with the type of disease and outcome. Methods: 49 horses with Gl disease and 10 healthy horses Methods: Leukocytes were isolated from blood samples and submitted to 3 protocols: immediate freezing, freezing after 4-hour incubation in medium, and freezing after 4-hour incubation in medium containing LPS. Expression of 14 genes associated with ...
[Diagnostic workup of chronic inflammatory bowel disease in the horse]. The present retrospective study describes the diagnostic workup and collected findings in 7 horses with chronic inflammatory bowel disease over the years 2000-2006. The diagnosis could be confirmed histologically with biopsies taken during laparoscopy or laparotomy or during post mortem examination. Weight loss and chronic diarrhoea were the most commonly reported clinical findings. Among ancillary examinations (fecal analysis, gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, rectal mucosal biopsy) the D-xylose absorption test provided the most useful information. Although clinical signs and laboratory...
Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in working horses. Fecal samples for detection of gastrointestinal parasites were collected from 221 working horses from September 2002 to May 2003 from 14 villages in Urmia, North West of Iran. Fecal samples of 46 horses (20.8%) were negative for parasite eggs or oocysts. One hundred and seventy five positive horses (48.9%) were infected with a single parasite type and 49 (22.2%) and 18 (8.1%) of horses had multiple infections with two and three parasites, respectively. The highest prevalence and intensity rate belonged to small strongyles. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites eggs and oocyst in the p...
Outcome and long-term follow-up of 20 horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction: a retrospective study (2000-2008). If untreated, caecal impaction may progress to rupture of the caecum and reports of long-term outcome for horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction are required. Objective: To describe short- and long-term complication rates for horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction in an otherwise life-threatening gastrointestinal condition. Methods: Case records were reviewed for horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction. Horses were included in the study if an abnormally large, fluid-distended or feed-impacted caecum was the primary diagnosis at surgery and excluded if the caecum had alre...
Peritoneal concentrations of transforming growth factor beta in horses with colic. In man, peritoneal transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is associated with peritoneal diseases and subsequent adhesion formation. No studies on plasma and peritoneal TGF-beta concentrations in horses with colic are available. Objective: 1) To determine both plasma and peritoneal TGF-beta(1) and TGF-beta(3) concentrations in horses with different types of colic (not previously subjected to abdominal surgery); 2) to compare these concentrations according to the type of peritoneal fluid (transudate, modified transudate and exudate); and 3) to compare and correlate plasma and peritoneal conc...
