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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.
Diagnosis of small intestinal intussuception by transabdominal ultrasonography in 2 adult horses. Transabdominal ultrasonography is frequently used to diagnose small intestinal intussusceptions in foals. We demonstrate that transabdominal ultrasonography also provides a rapid and accurate diagnosis of small intestinal intussusception in adult horses. A detailed description of the ultrasonographic appearance is provided.
Effect of venous strangulation obstruction on length of equine jejunum and relevance to small-intestinal resection. To determine if venous strangulation obstruction (VSO) of the distal half of the equine small intestine would increase length of that segment. Methods: Halothane-anesthetized horses were assigned randomly to 3 groups of 5 horses: Group 1 (controls)--the entire small intestine was measured and rubber-shod clamps were applied to mark each end of the most distal 50% of the small intestine; Group 2--same procedure, except that VSO was induced in the distal 50% of the small intestine for 180 minutes; and Group 3--same initial procedure, except that VSO was induced for 90 minutes and followed by rep...
Effects of intraluminal distention and decompression on microvascular permeability and hemodynamics of the equine jejunum. To determine whether intraluminal distention and subsequent decompression of the equine jejunum affects intestinal blood flow, hemodynamics, and microvascular permeability. Methods: 5 healthy adu t horses. Methods: Horses were anesthestized and underwent exploratory laparotomy. Two jejunal segments were identified as sham-operated or instrumented segments. After baseline values were obtained, intraluminal distention was created in the experimental segment to induce an ntraluminal pressure of 18 cm H2O. After 120 minutes of distention, the intestine was decompressed for 120 minutes. Mesenteric ...
Effect of extensive ileal resection with a large resulting mesenteric defect and stapled ileal stump in horses with a jejunocaecostomy: a comparison with other anastomotic techniques. Extensive resection of the ileum of the horse, using automated stapling equipment followed by a stapled jejunocaecostomy, without closure of the mesenteric defect, was evaluated prospectively as a surgical treatment for lesions involving the distal small intestine. Of 153 horses treated surgically for colic, 10 horses with strangulating lesions involving the distal ileum were treated by extensive resection and jejunocaecal anastomosis leaving a residual mesenteric defect. These were compared with 12 horses with jejunoileal lesions treated by jejunocaecal anastomosis with closure of the mesente...
Immunohistochemical detection of virulence-associated Rhodococcus equi antigens in pulmonary and intestinal lesions in horses. Two horses with Rhodococcus equi infection were examined post mortem by an immunohistochemical method (peroxidase-antiperoxidase; PAP) with a monoclonal antibody (Mab 10G5) to the 15-17 kDa antigen of R. equi. One of the horses was also examined bacteriologically, R. equi being isolated in culture. Immunolabelling with this Mab was marked and widespread. On the other hand, the immunohistochemical reactivity of infected macrophages with a polyclonal antibody specific for lysozyme was slight. Thus, Mab 10G5 would appear to be a useful diagnostic reagent in R. equi infection, with or without cult...
Mesenteric rents as a source of small intestinal strangulation in horses: 15 cases (1990-1997). To describe the clinical findings in horses with small intestinal strangulation through mesenteric rents, and to determine the recurrence and survival rates after surgery. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 15 horses with small intestinal obstruction via a mesenteric rent. Methods: Medical records of horses with obstruction of the small intestine via a mesenteric rent between January 1990 and December 1997 were reviewed. The signalment, history, initial physical examination findings, results of abdominocentesis, and clinical laboratory values were recorded. Surgical findings, including loc...
The effect of orally administered cisapride on intestinal motility in conscious horses. Seven Thoroughbred horses were laparotomized and Force Transducers were fixed on the proximal jejunal and cecal serosa. After observation of the digestive tract motility in consciousness, cisapride (0, 0.5, 0.75 or 1 mg/kg) was orally administered. In horses treated with 0.75 mg/kg or 1.0 mg/kg cisapride, the migrating contraction (MC) of the jejunum was significantly increased in frequency.
Jejunoileal incarceration and strangulation through a splenic defect in a mare. A 6-year-old, standardbred mare was presented for colic of 12 h duration. Transrectal palpation revealed intestinal distension of unknown cause. The mare was euthanized. At necropsy, segmental jejunoileal incarceration and strangulation through an opening in the spleen was observed. This opening was considered to be a congenital defect.
The characteristics of intestinal injury peripheral to strangulating obstruction lesions in the equine small intestine. Recent studies suggest that horses requiring surgical correction of strangulating intestinal obstruction may develop post operative complications as a result of ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Therefore, the mucosal and serosal margins of resected small intestine from 9 horses with small intestinal strangulating lesions were examined for evidence of ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Severe mucosal injury and marked elevations in myeloperoxidase activity were detected at ileal resection margins (n = 4), whereas the mucosa from proximal jejunal (n = 9) and distal jejunal (n = 5) resection margins was ...
Inflammatory bowel disease in horses: 11 cases (1988-1998). To determine clinical and surgical abnormalities in, and long-term outcome of, horses that undergo surgery because of colic secondary to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 11 horses. Methods: Medical records of horses that had undergone abdominal surgery and in which IBD had been diagnosed on the basis of histologic examination of intestinal biopsy specimens were reviewed. Results: 5 horses were examined because of acute colic and 6 were examined because of chronic colic. At surgery, all 11 horses had edematous or hemorrhagic bowel segments suggestive of I...
Tapeworms as a cause of intestinal disease in horses. Until recently, the equine tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata was difficult to diagnose and considered to be of questionable pathogenicity. Here, Chris Proudman and Sandy Trees describe recent advances in the immunodiagnosis of this parasite that have facilitated epidemiological studies. These studies suggest that A. perfoliata may be an important cause of intestinal disease in the horse and demonstrate a dose-response relationship between infection intensity and risk of disease. If tapeworm infection is a risk factor for ileocaecal colic, the identification and treatment of infected individual...
The effect of motilin on the regulation mechanism of intestinal motility in conscious horses. Laparotomy was performed on seven thoroughbreds to attach a force transducer to the proximal jejunum, distal jejunum, and ileum, as well as to the serous membrane of the cecum. Following observation of intestinal motility in conscious horses, they were intravenously injected with motilin (0.6 microgram/kg) to examine its effect on intestinal motility. Strong contractions peculiar to horses were observed in small intestine. Further, motilin caused strong contractions in the proximal jejunum. The results suggested the involvement of motilin in the regulation mechanism of intestinal motility.
Incarceration of the small colon through a rent in the gastrosplenic ligament in a pony. A 10-year-old castrated male pony was examined for intermittent signs of abdominal pain of 3 days' duration. An incarceration of the small colon through a rent in the gastrosplenic ligament was found. Resection and end-to-end anastomosis were performed on the affected portion of the small colon. The pony recovered and returned to its previous degree of activity. Incarceration of the small intestine and large colon through rents in the gastrosplenic ligament are documented, although involvement of the small intestine is more common. To the best of our knowledge, incarceration of the small colon...
Prevalence of beta2-toxigenic Clostridium perfringens in horses with intestinal disorders. The incidence of a new, yet unassigned toxin type of Clostridium perfringens containing the genes for the alpha-toxin and the recently described beta2-toxin in horses with intestinal disorders is reported. The study included 18 horses suffering from typical typhlocolitis, 7 horses with atypical typhlocolitis, 16 horses with other intestinal disorders, and 58 horses without intestinal disease. In total, 20 samples of ingesta of the small and large intestines, five biopsy specimens of the intestinal wall, and 74 fecal samples were analyzed bacteriologically. C. perfringens isolates were typed fo...
Equine neutrophil myeloperoxidase in plasma: design of a radio-immunoassay and first results in septic pathologies. The strangulated intestinal pathologies of horses are accompanied by a local activation of the neutrophils, that can be revealed by measuring the tissular enzymatic activity of the granulocytic enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO). To estimate the possible spreading of this neutrophil activation to the systemic circulation, we designed a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for equine neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) (EC 1.11.1.7) using a specific rabbit antiserum. MPO was labeled with 1 mCi 125I by a technique of self-labeling in the presence of 10(-4) M hydrogen peroxide. The RIA was performed by incubation of 10...
Intestinal lesions in a horse associated with eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus infection. The primary lesions of eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus infection in the horse are limited to the brain and spinal cord. Intestinal lesions in addition to the changes in the central nervous system were found in a 6-month-old male Tennessee Walking Horse. One week prior to death, this colt was vaccinated for EEE virus, western equine encephalomyelitis virus, influenza virus, equine rhinopneumonitis virus, and tetanus. The clinical signs consisted of ataxia and rear-end weakness, with a body temperature of 102.8 F. Gross lesions consisted of yellowish discoloration, swelling, edema, ...
Morphologic changes and xanthine oxidase activity in the equine jejunum during low flow ischemia and reperfusion. To determine whether xanthine oxidase and dehydrogenase activities are altered during low flow ischemia and reperfusion of the small intestine of horses. Methods: 5 clinically normal horses without histories of abdominal problems. Methods: With the horse under general anesthesia, a laparotomy was performed and blood flow to a segment of the distal jejunum was reduced to 20% of baseline for 120 minutes and was then reperfused for 120 minutes. Biopsy specimens were obtained before, during, and after ischemia for determination of xanthine oxidase and dehydrogenase activities, and for histologic a...
The distribution of Anoplocephala perfoliata in the intestine of the horse and associated pathological changes. The intestinal tracts of 130 horses were examined for infection with Anoplocephala perfoliata at necropsy. Fifty horses (38.5%) harboured the tapeworm, and the site of attachment of each worm was recorded using predetermined anatomical landmarks. The worms were attached in four regions of the gastrointestinal tract: 17% of the worms were found at the ileocaecal junction, 81% on the caecal wall, 1.7% in the terminal ileum and 0.2% in the ventral colon. The severity of lesions produced at the sites of attachment was related to the number of worms attached. Due to the small area of the ileocaecal...
Recurrent colic in the mature horse: a retrospective review of 58 cases. The clinical features of 58 horses presenting with recurrent colic examined over a 5 year period were reviewed. The horses were categorised into 3 groups on the basis of the history of colic episodes. Recurrent transient colic Group 1 was characterised by 3 or more episodes of transient colic (of apparently similar type) occurring within one month. Recurrent transient colic Group 2 was characterised by 3 or more episodes of transient colic occurring within one year. Recurrent prolonged colic was characterised by 3 or more episodes of prolonged colic occurring within one year. Fifteen horses we...
The pathogenic effects of experimental cyathostome infections in ponies. Nine pony breed foals were reared indoors, then allocated to one of three groups infected with either 3.9 million (Group A) or 3.15 million (Group B) cold-conditioned third stage cyathostome larvae or kept as uninfected controls (Group C). The larvae were administered as a 'trickle' infection of 150000 larvae per dose, three times weekly. Blood biochemical and haematological analyses were performed weekly and faecal worm egg counts bi-weekly. Complete parasitological examinations were performed on all ponies at various times post-initial infection (PI): one infected animal at 9 weeks PI, four ...
Acute small intestinal injury associated with hematomas in the mesentery of four horses. Four horses were evaluated for clinical signs consistent with small intestinal disease. During exploratory surgery, primary hematomas in the mesentery were found in 2 horses. The third horse developed a hematoma secondary to a mesenteric rent, whereas in the fourth horse, a hematoma developed secondary to strangulation of the bowel by a mesenteric lipoma. Two horses were euthanatized at surgery, because the extensive nature of the hematoma precluded ligation and there was substantial risk of continued hemorrhage postoperatively. The remaining horses recovered from surgery but developed complic...
