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Topic:Intestinal Pathology
Intestinal pathology in horses encompasses a range of disorders affecting the structure and function of the equine gastrointestinal tract. These conditions can include inflammatory, infectious, obstructive, and degenerative diseases that impact the intestines. Common intestinal pathologies in horses include colitis, enteritis, and intestinal torsion, each with distinct histopathological features and clinical presentations. Diagnostic approaches often involve clinical examination, imaging techniques, and histological analysis to identify the underlying pathology. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the etiology, diagnosis, and management of intestinal pathologies in equine medicine.
Centrifugation of peritoneal fluid improves visual assessment of strangulating lesions in equine colic. Early and accurate recognition of a strangulating lesion is essential to expedite surgical intervention in horses presenting with colic. Objective: To evaluate the use of a colour grading scale in the visual assessment of peritoneal fluid, before and after centrifugation, and assess its ability to predict the presence of a strangulating lesion. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Peritoneal fluid samples from 231 equids presenting with colic were visually analysed immediately after collection and assigned a numerical value based on a developed colour scale. Peritoneal fluid was centr...
Efficiency of a Combination of Polyethylene Glycol and Psyllium on the Evacuation of Sand Compared to Established Treatment Regimes in Sand Enteropathy of the Horse. The accumulation of sand in the abdomen is a rising risk for colic in horses. Sand mainly accumulates in the ascending colon in the cranioventral abdomen. Evacuation of sand is facilitated by the application of psyllium supported with a laxative via nasogastric intubation. Laxatives currently used are either sodium sulfate/magnesium sulfate or mineral oil. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of polyethylene glycol, a laxative already used in human medicine for chronic constipation, with that of the above-described, established therapy options. Therefore, 44 horses diagnosed wit...
Concurrent Small Intestinal Neoplasia And Large Colon Volvulus In A Standardbred Yearling. Large colon volvulus is a common, life-threatening cause of colic in horses. Gastrointestinal neoplasia is a rare cause of abdominal pain in young horses. A 1-year-old Standardbred colt presented with acute colic unresponsive to medical treatment. An exploratory laparotomy identified extensive gastrointestinal pathology, and euthanasia was elected due to a poor prognosis. Necropsy revealed a 360-degree volvulus of the caecum and large colon with adhesions, enterotyphlocolitis, and a well-circumscribed mesenteric mass arising from the small intestine. Histopathology in combination with immunohi...
Comparison of Rectal and Intraoperative Findings in Horses with Colic. Per rectum examination (PRE) is commonly used in the triage of horses with acute abdominal pain, despite reports of associated risk factors for both horses and personnel, but its diagnostic accuracy is questionable. This multicenter, observational study aimed to evaluate the agreement between PRE findings and surgical findings obtained via exploratory laparotomy in horses with colic. A total of 201 cases from four equine referral hospitals across Europe were included. Rectal findings were categorized as primary (most likely cause of colic) or additional. Agreement with surgical findings was as...
Jejunocecostomy in horses-a review of its unique complexities. Jejunocecostomy (JC), or jejunocecal anastomosis, is arguably the most controversial surgical procedure in equine small intestinal surgery. It is also the only option for resection and anastomosis for a third of small intestinal strangulating lesions in horses. Critics of the procedure identify its low survival and high complication rates as reasons to avoid its use. This review is intended to highlight findings of recent research and clinical studies that validate use of the JC, and to provide some insights into technical aspects of the procedure that might improve its survival rates. Jejunoc...
Anatomical distribution of meconium detected by focused abdominal ultrasound in hospitalized healthy and sick neonatal foals. Meconium impaction is a common cause of neonatal colic in foals, yet its ultrasonographic appearance and distribution remain poorly characterized. Objective: This study aimed to describe the frequency, distribution, and ultrasonographic appearance of meconium in hospitalized neonatal foals using a standardized focused ultrasound (FUS) abdominal protocol. Methods: The FUS protocol included 9 acoustic windows (3 left-sided, 3 ventral, 3 right-sided) and was performed once during hospitalization by a single operator using a curvilinear transducer. Results: Thirty-six foals (16 healthy and 20 sick...
Visceral disseminated hemangiosarcoma causing severe bicytopenia in a mare. Hemangiosarcoma is an uncommon but highly aggressive malignant vascular neoplasm in horses, most often identified as a disseminated process at postmortem examination. This report describes an adult Warmblood mare presenting with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea, severe anemia, and thrombocytopenia associated with disseminated hemangiosarcoma likely originating in the transverse colon with metastasis to the liver and lungs. This case highlights gastrointestinal hemangiosarcoma as a potential differential diagnosis in horses with unexplained bicytopenia and hemorrhagic enteropathy.
Venous blood lactate concentration as a predictor of intestinal viability in horses with acquired indirect inguinal hernia. Background: Acquired indirect inguinal hernia represents a life-threatening emergency. Therapeutic decision-making largely depends on intestinal viability, for which specific predictive parameters (such as venous lactate) have not been evaluated.Objectives: Investigating the predictive performance of venous blood lactate and other laboratory results on intestinal viability in horses with acquired indirect inguinal hernias.Study designRetrospective multicentre observational study.Methods: Seventy-four horses diagnosed with acquired indirect inguinal hernia (treated surgically) at two referral h...
Structural Features of the Equine Small Intestinal Mesenteric Attachment Predisposing to Rupture. Rupture of equine small intestine with formation of a pouch of ingesta within the mesentery has been reported in clinical colic cases. Multiple ex-vivo studies using anastomosed jejunum observed rupture into the mesentery, distant to the anastomosis. Both scenarios suggest the jejunum is predisposed to rupture at the mesenteric attachment. The aim of the study is to 1) document the location at which equine jejunal segments rupture when subjected to high intraluminal pressures, 2) identify predisposing anatomical features that may confer weakness at the point of rupture and 3) demonstrate jejun...
Downregulation of a choline transporter gene in equine colitis indicates a role for choline supplementation to support the large intestinal epithelial barrier. Acute colitis is an inflammatory condition of the equine colon associated with high morbidity and mortality. In these horses, epithelial barrier function is critical but the mechanisms underlying large intestinal epithelial damage and recovery are incompletely understood. Objective: Our objectives were to (1) identify intestinal colitis-associated transcriptional pathways, and (2) determine the effect of in vitro choline supplementation on the epithelial barrier. Methods: We performed RNA-sequencing on rectal biopsies from healthy and colitis horses (n=3/group). Downregulated SLC5A7, a gene en...
Abdominal palpation per rectum is highly sensitive for identifying small versus large intestinal lesions in horses presenting for colic. To describe the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and accuracy of abdominal palpation per rectum in horses treated surgically for colic. Unassigned: Medical records were gathered over 5 years (2019 to 2024). Findings of abdominal palpation per rectum were collected and compared to surgical diagnosis, and cases were categorized as true or false positive and negative. Signalment, physical examination parameters, hematologic values, and years of examiner experience were recorded. Unassigned: Records of 453 horses were included. Overall sensitivity and positive predictive value were 86%...
Imaging of the equine abdomen using point of care ultrasound (POCUS): Effects of sedation on intestinal motility in horses. Point of care ultrasonographic (POCUS) assessment of the equine abdomen is now readily available to the equine practitioner using hand-held ultrasound transducers. Commonly used medications may alter the sonographic appearance or function of the small intestine, caecum or colon. Objective: To demonstrate qualitative and quantitative effects of xylazine sedation on intestinal motility of healthy horses using hand-held, wi-fi ultrasound transducers and validate POCUS methodology by determination of intra- and interobserver agreement. Methods: Double-blind cross-over study of eight healthy horses...
Omics integration reveals how the gut microbiota of Warmblood horses responds to equestrian show jumping-a short-duration, high-intensity technical exercise stress. Intestinal microbial homeostasis and metabolic balance play a crucial role in maintaining normal physiological function in horses. Exogenous stress involving abrupt turns and jumps during show jumping significantly impacts intestinal microbial homeostasis and metabolic balance in these animals. Results: By comparing rectal (faecal) samples from 10 Warmblood horses collected before and immediately after a show jumping competition on the same day, we observed substantial alterations in intestinal microbial homeostasis and metabolic balance post-exercise. Microbial evenness significantly increase...
Horse immune response of recombinant Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine: Assessing the immunomodulatory impact of probiotic supplementation. Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE), caused by Lawsonia intracellularis induces intestinal epithelial hyperplasia, resulting in malabsorption, weight loss, colic, and diarrhea. Despite its clinical and economic importance, no equine-specific vaccine is commercially available. Recombinant subunit vaccines are a safe and scalable alternative; however, their immunogenicity often requires improvement. Probiotic supplementation with Bacillus toyonensis may act as an immunomodulatory strategy to potentiate vaccine efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of a recombinant protein ...
Endothelial glycocalyx of equine intestinal vessels: electron microscopic and immunohistochemical imaging. To visualize the endothelial glycocalyx in equine intestinal vessels using electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry and to evaluate the impact of induced endotoxemia on its integrity. Unassigned: 6 healthy horses free of gastrointestinal disease were anesthetized with dexmedetomidine, ketamine, and diazepam and mechanically ventilated under isoflurane anesthesia. Jejunal venous tissue samples were collected after perfusion fixation with lanthanum nitrate before and 120 minutes after endotoxemia induced by IV administration of 30 ng·kg-1 Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. For transmissio...
Functional and molecular characterization of equine intestinal organoids across media conditions and intestinal segments. Gastrointestinal (GI) disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in horses, with disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier playing a central role in disease pathogenesis. A deeper understanding of the molecular and functional properties of the equine intestinal barrier is essential to improve diagnostics and therapeutics. While intestinal organoids have emerged as a promising tool for modeling GI physiology and disease, equine-specific data remain limited. Existing studies vary in methodology and often lack functional characterization, particularly across different intestinal re...
Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of ultrasonographic intestinal wall thickness measurements in healthy horses. Abdominal ultrasound is widely used to evaluate the intestinal tract of horses. Despite being a routine examination, there is limited data on the reliability of this diagnostic procedure. Objective: To investigate intra- and inter-rater reliability of ultrasonographic intestinal wall thickness measurements in healthy horses. A second aim was to assess variance within repeated measurements to determine threshold values that distinguish whether differences between repeated examinations are true findings versus solely due to measurement variation. Methods: In vivo reliability study. Methods: Eigh...
Serum proteomic analysis in equine obstructive colic: A prospective observational study. The aim of the study was to identify proteomic signatures from the serum of horses affected by simple obstructive intestinal colic to characterize the pathological process and to assess potential biomarkers for early diagnosis. Seven horses with obstructive colic received venous blood samples for determination of standard hematobiochemical, inflammatory, and lipid profiles at the time of initial clinical examination and after conservative therapy upon recovery. Proteomic profiling was also performed on all samples by means of a within-group analysis (sick horses at discharge vs. sick horses at...
Recent advances in intestinal helminth parasites of horses in the Asia-Pacific region: Current trends, challenges and future directions. Over the past 25 years, significant progress has been made in understanding and managing equine gastrointestinal parasites in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in Australia and New Zealand. This review synthesises current knowledge of the epidemiology, diagnostic methods, anthelmintic resistance (AR), and control strategies for major equine intestinal parasites, including cyathostomins, Parascaris spp., Anoplocephala perfoliata, and Strongyloides westeri. Recent studies highlight substantial regional variation in parasite prevalence, egg shedding and cyathostomin population composition, sh...
Endothelial glycocalyx damage is associated with small intestinal disease in horses. To determine if blood and peritoneal fluid levels of syndecan-1, heparan sulfate, and hyaluronan are elevated in horses with small intestinal disease compared to healthy counterparts. Unassigned: 61 horses were categorized into control (n = 20), inflammatory (11), and strangulating (30) groups. Paired peritoneal fluid and blood samples were obtained from each group from December 2016 through December 2024 and analyzed via equine-validated ELISAs for syndecan-1, heparan sulfate, and hyaluronan concentrations. Patient survival to discharge was recorded for all groups. Immunofluorescence staining...
Risk factors for strangulating lipoma obstruction and lipomata in horses. Strangulating lipoma obstruction (SLO) is the most common cause of equine small intestinal strangulation and is fatal without surgery. Currently, epidemiological information is primarily limited to signalment-related risk factors and requires further investigation. Objective: To identify horse-level risk factors for SLO and/or abdominal lipoma(s) (LP) formation in horses with acute colic that underwent surgery or post-mortem examination at participating equine clinics. Methods: Prospective, international, multicentre, epidemiological study. Methods: An epidemiological study was conducted over ...
Quantification of immune cells in full thickness and mucosal biopsies of the duodenum and rectum in a group of slaughter horses. Limited data are available on immune cells in the intestinal wall of healthy horses, hampering interpretation of results in case of disease. Objective: Characterize and quantify the immune cell populations and their distribution in duodenal and rectal biopsies of horses without gastrointestinal disease; compare immune cell counts (ICCTs) between full thickness- and mucosal biopsies. Methods: Twenty horses fit for slaughter, slaughtered for meat production. Methods: Full-thickness and endoscopic forceps obtained mucosal biopsies were taken within 30 min after slaughter from the duodenum and rec...
Ionic composition of gastric reflux and small intestinal fluid in horses: implications for fluid replacement. Small intestinal (SI) distension and gastric reflux (GR) are common in horses with mechanical and functional ileus. Removal of GR results in fluid/ion losses. Objective: 1) Determine the capacity of healthy SI; 2) measure ion concentrations in normal SI fluid, GR, or fluid from SI undergoing resection. The authors hypothesized that Na and Cl concentrations would be lower and higher, respectively, in GR as compared to SI fluid from healthy horses, while there would be little difference in K concentration. Methods: Observational study: two to 15 meters of SI from 15 horses were distended with wa...
Metagenomic Analysis Reveals the Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Mare Milk. This study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory properties of mare milk by analyzing immune markers in mice following gavage of mare milk. Metagenomic sequencing was employed to examine variations in the composition and functional profiles of the intestinal microbiota across different experimental groups. Bacterial diversity, abundance, and functional annotations of gut microbiota were evaluated for each group. The results show that, compared to the control group, the mare milk group exhibited a significant decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 levels and a significant increase in se...
Primary Jejunal Impactions Resolved via Exploratory Celiotomy in Six Horses: 2017-2023. Impactions of the jejunum are rarely described in the literature. The current case series describes six cases of adult horses with jejunal impactions with feed material diagnosed by exploratory celiotomy. Horses underwent exploratory celiotomy based off of their degree of pain despite medical management and concerns for a primary strangulating small intestinal lesion. All jejunal impactions were relieved via manual decompression of the impaction into the cecum. None of the cases underwent a resection or anastomosis at the site of impaction. All horses were treated with gastroprotectants (omepr...
Advanced equine duodenoscopy technique. Duodenal pathologies are underreported in equine medicine, probably not due to little occurrence, but due to the limitations of current diagnostic techniques. The aim of this report is to describe a novel duodenoscopic approach, that allows a complete visualization of a region inaccessible via standard techniques. Gastroduodenoscopy was performed in a clinical setting in 60 adult horses referred to us due to complaints suspected to be related to gastroduodenal diseases. The initial steps of the procedure were performed using previously published techniques. Once the video-endoscope reached the...
Performance outcomes are not reduced following colic surgery in warmblood jumping horses. To provide performance data of warmblood jumping horses following colic surgery. Unassigned: This retrospective case series reviewed clinical records of 5 equine hospitals with the inclusion criteria of warmblood horses undergoing colic surgery between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2021, surviving to discharge, and being registered as a hunter or jumper with the US Equestrian Federation. Clinical data included age, sex, and lesion type. Performance data included discipline, jump height, number of starts, number of wins, and number of placings. Pre- and postoperative data were analyzed sepa...
Diagnostic performance of specific oxidative stress biomarkers, acute phase proteins, and certain trace elements in different severities of equine colic. Sixty-one horses were included in this study and classified into three groups based on the severity of colic, assessed by heart rate, oral mucous membrane color, and abdominal distension. The groups consisted of a strangulating colic (SC) group (n=21), a non-strangulating colic (NC) group (n=20), and a control group (n=20) of randomly selected healthy horses without colic. Serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), haptoglobin (Hp), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), zinc, iron, and copper were measured in all horses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was c...
