Effects of extensive resection of the small intestine in the pony.
Abstract: Small intestinal resection (SIR) is not uncommonly done in surgical treatment of equine colic, but little is known about the long-term effects of SIR on horses and ponies. Twelve ponies, fed maintenance amounts of pelleted feed, were divided randomly into 4 treatment groups. D-Xylose absorption curves were recorded for each pony before surgical treatments were performed. Treatments consisted of control (ileal bypass) and 40%, 60%, or 80% SIR. D-Xylose absorption, serum electrolyte, and enzyme profiles for each animal were recorded once every 30 days for 180 days after surgical treatment, and the ponies were weighed every 2 weeks. The ponies then were necropsied and the remaining small and large intestine were examined. D-Xylose absorption values were depressed (P less than 0.05) in the ponies subjected to 40%, 60%, and 80% SIR as compared with the absorption values of the controls. The ponies with the 60% and 80% SIR lost body weight throughout the experimental period, whereas the controls and the ponies with 40% SIR maintained their base-line (presurgical manipulation) weight. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was increased (P less than 0.05) in the ponies subjected to 60% and 80% SIR and significant biliary hyperplasia was present in those with 80% SIR. Extensive (greater than or equal to 60%) SIR severely compromised the capability of ponies to absorb nutrients and to derive adequate nutrition from a maintenance diet, resulting in changes in hepatic parenchyma and elevations in serum alkaline phosphatase. These changes are consistent with those reported in other species following SIR.
Publication Date: 1983-07-01 PubMed ID: 6881658
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study investigates the long-term effects of extensive resection (surgical removal) of the small intestine on ponies. Specifically, it reveals that such surgeries severely impair the ponies’ ability to absorb nutrients, leading to substantial weight loss and other negative health impacts.
Objective of the Research
- The study aimed to analyze the long-term implications of small intestinal resection (SIR) in ponies. Although this surgery is a common practice in equine colic treatment, its extended effects were not well understood.
Method of Research
- Twelve ponies were divided equally into four groups. Each group was subjected to a different treatment – a control group (ileal bypass) and SIR of 40%, 60%, or 80%.
- Before the surgical treatments, D-xylose absorption curves were established for each pony.
- Post-surgery, every 30 days for 180 days, the D-xylose absorption, serum electrolyte, and enzyme profiles were tracked. Ponies also underwent bi-weekly weight checks.
- At the conclusion of the experiment, all ponies were euthanized for necropsy and inspection of their remaining small and large intestines.
Results of the Research
- The D-xylose absorption rates were found to have decreased (P less than 0.05) in ponies that underwent 40%, 60%, and 80% SIR when compared to the control group.
- Ponies from the 60% and 80% SIR groups experienced weight loss throughout the experiment, while the ones from the control group and the 40% SIR group were able to maintain their initial weight.
- The 60% and 80% SIR subgroups also showed increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity (P less than 0.05).
- Biliary hyperplasia was discovered in those subjected to 80% SIR.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that extensive SIR (greater than or equal to 60%) severely impair ponies’ capability to absorb nutrients and maintain their body weight on a maintenance diet.
- The surgery also led to hepatic parenchymal changes and increased serum alkaline phosphatase levels in ponies. These results corroborate previously reported reactions in other species following SIR.
Cite This Article
APA
Tate LP, Ralston SL, Koch CM, Everitt JI.
(1983).
Effects of extensive resection of the small intestine in the pony.
Am J Vet Res, 44(7), 1187-1191.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
- Animals
- Body Weight
- Diarrhea / veterinary
- Horse Diseases
- Horses / physiology
- Intestinal Absorption
- Intestine, Small / surgery
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Xylose / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Ducharme NG, Burton JH, van Dreumel AA, Horney FD, Baird JD, Arighi M. Extensive large colon resection in the pony. II. Digestibility studies and postmortem findings. Can J Vet Res 1987 Jan;51(1):76-82.
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