The effects of feeding and fasting on gastrointestinal sounds in adult horses.
Abstract: The effect of changes in feed intake on auscultatable gastrointestinal sounds has not been systematically studied. Disagreement also is present in the literature about variation in sounds according to the quadrant of auscultation. Gastrointestinal sounds were recorded over the center of the left dorsal, left ventral, right ventral, and right dorsal quadrants and over the middle of the right abdominal flank. During 24 hours (n = 4) or 48 hours (n = 5) of fasting, there was a reduction in the intensity of gastrointestinal sounds as assessed by analysis of sound recordings. There was also a reduction in the number of mixing-like and propulsive-like sounds heard by 2 blinded observers. After refeeding, there was a marked increase in sound. Sound intensity varied among abdominal quadrants, but blinded observers did not notice significant differences in the number of mixing-like sounds. The left dorsal quadrant was quieter than others during fasting and refeeding. The right ventral quadrant appeared to be least affected by fasting, and sounds were louder over the right ventral and right middle quadrants than over the others. The blinded observers' perceptions of sound correlated poorly with one another and with objective measures of sound intensity. This experiment demonstrates the effectiveness of computerized analysis of abdominal sound in detecting a reduction in the intensity of gastrointestinal sounds during fasting and their return during refeeding. The left dorsal quadrant was quieter than other quadrants, likely because of its position over the small colon. There was considerable observer variation in the number of intestinal sounds heard.
Publication Date: 2006-12-26 PubMed ID: 17186858DOI: 10.1892/0891-6640(2006)20[1408:teofaf]2.0.co;2Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research examines how the intensity and type of gastrointestinal sounds in horses change with feeding and fasting activities. The study found that fasting reduces these sounds, which increase again upon refeeding. The study also showed variation in sound intensity in different parts of the horse’s abdomen, with the left dorsal quadrant being quieter than others.
Introduction and Aim of the Study
- The study aims to explore the impact of food intake changes on gastrointestinal sounds in horses, an area that hasn’t seen extensive research previously.
- The researchers also sought to settle contention in existing literature about variations in these sounds as per the stomach quadrant they emanate from.
Research Methodology
- An analysis of sounds coming from different quadrants of the horse’s abdomen was made. The quadrants included the left dorsal, left ventral, right ventral, and right dorsal, as well as the middle of the right abdominal flank.
- These sounds were recorded and analysed both during periods of fasting (24-hour fasting for four horses and 48-hour fasting for five horses), and during refeeding subsequent to the fasting.
- Two blinded observers also noted down the number of mixing-like and propulsive-like sounds heard.
Findings and Discussion
- Observations reflected a drop in intensity of gastrointestinal sounds during fasting, which included a reduction in the number of mixing-like and propulsive-like sounds. Refeeding resulted in a significant increase in sound intensity.
- Sound intensity varied among the abdominal quadrants. The left dorsal quadrant was notably quieter during both fasting and refeeding.
- The right ventral quadrant seemed to be least impacted by fasting, showcasing louder noises over the right ventral and right middle quadrants than the others.
- The blinded observers’ perceptions of sound intensity and occurrences did not show a strong correlation with each other or with objective measures of sound intensity.
Conclusion
- The study shows the suitability of computerized analysis for assessing abdominal sound changes in horses during fasting and refeeding.
- The left dorsal quadrant was found to likely be over the small colon due to its quieter sound nature.
- The findings also illustrated significant observer variation in evaluation of intestinal sounds.
Cite This Article
APA
Naylor JM, Poirier KL, Hamilton DL, Dowling PM.
(2006).
The effects of feeding and fasting on gastrointestinal sounds in adult horses.
J Vet Intern Med, 20(6), 1408-1413.
https://doi.org/10.1892/0891-6640(2006)20[1408:teofaf]2.0.co;2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies. jnaylor@rossvet.edu.kn
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Auscultation / methods
- Auscultation / veterinary
- Digestive System Physiological Phenomena
- Fasting / physiology
- Gastrointestinal Motility / physiology
- Gastrointestinal Transit / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Postprandial Period / physiology
- Sound
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Filippo PAD, Duarte BR, Albernaz AP, Quirino CR. Effects of feed deprivation on physical and blood parameters of horses. Braz J Vet Med 2021;43:e000321.
- Siwinska N, Zak A, Baron M, Cylna M, Borowicz H. Right dorsal colon ultrasonography in normal adult ponies and miniature horses. PLoS One 2017;12(10):e0186825.
- Bailey PA, Hague BA, Davis M, Major MD, Zubrod CJ, Brakenhoff JE. Incidence of post-anesthetic colic in non-fasted adult equine patients. Can Vet J 2016 Dec;57(12):1263-1266.
- Bindi F, Bozzola C, Vezzosi T, Zucca E, Caivano D, Freccero F, Sala G, Sgorbini M. A new smartphone-based digital stethoscope featuring phonocardiography and electrocardiography in adult horses. Vet Res Commun 2024 Nov 27;49(1):43.
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