Tympanitis: Lecture on Equine Practice, Columbia Veterinary College.

The research article talks about tympanitis, a form of colic, noting its difference from spasmodic colic not just in form but also symptoms and treatment. It explains that while an anti-spasmodic drench can relieve spasmodic colic, the same wouldn’t work for flatulent colic and may even worsen the horse’s condition. The article also highlights the causes that lead to tympanitis, including improper feeding, the consumption of food in large quantity, and digestive power impairment.

Understanding Tympanitis

• Tympanitis is a type of horse colic characterized by flatulence, or what’s commonly referred to as wind colic. According to the research, it differs significantly from spasmodic colic, another form of the same disorder, in various aspects – pathology, symptoms, and treatment.
• In tympanitis, the horse’s stomach or intestines, or both, become distended with gases, a condition that sometimes results from the food in these organs not being correctly digested or fermented, leading to the production of said gases.

Causes of Tympanitis

• The research points to injudicious or improper feeding being one of the primary causes of tympanitis. For instance, if a horse that has been on a long journey consumes a large portion of food in haste, it could lead to intestinal disorders.
• Different foods also seem to cause each type of colic. The paper indicates that dry food such as corn or oats may lead to spasmodic colic, while green or soft food is more likely to cause tympanitis.
• Tympanitis can also occur due to external factors like the horse’s current health condition or the presence of another disease. In such cases, the research suggests that the horse’s digestive system is possibly so exhausted that it could be nearing dissolution.

Notable Symptoms of Tympanitis

• Whereas the expression of pain in spasmodic colic can be acute, in tympanitis the pain is less intense but more constant.
• Common symptoms of tympanitis include pawing, looking to the flank, attempts to lie down, rolling when down or standing quietly for a significant amount of time. A horse with tympanitis might also stand in a corner with a depressed head, an anxious look on their face, and occasionally turn his head looking doleful.