Search

Extraction of incisor and canine teeth is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in equine medicine. The present study aimed to investigate the types of bacteria found on the surface of diseased teeth and the occurrence of intra- or postoperative bacteraemia with a possible clinical relevance in operated horses. Extracted teeth showed mixed infections with a high percentage of gram-negative anaerobic bacteria. Transient bacteraemia occurred in 8 of 10 horses with every sort of manipulation on the tooth itself or its periodontium. Isolated bacteria from blood samples often corresponded with those found on the dental surface. Complications of clinical relevance associated with the detected bacteraemia are possible but rare. The use of antibiotics in horses undergoing incisor or canine tooth extraction should therefore be limited to those cases, where pronounced inflammation and infection are present locally or where systemic signs of sepsis impair the horses general health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article summarizes the relevant clinical pathological assessment of horses with acute colic. A minimal laboratory evaluation should include the patient's haematocrit (or packed cell volume), total protein, and lactate concentration in the blood. Haematocrit and total protein provide an indication of the severity of dehydration (haematocrit < 0.45 l/l is evidence of no to mild dehydration whereas > 0.5 l/l points to a severe dehydration). The degree of dehydration is often associated with the severity of the colic. Additionally, the blood lactate concentration rises with increasing intestinal compromise with a concentration of > 4 mmol/l indicating a guarded prognosis. However, it is crucial to assess laboratory values only in the context of the clinical findings. If an abdominocentesis is performed, the leukocyte count and the protein and lactate concentrations offer valuable information regarding the type of colic, the severity of the lesion, further therapy, and prognosis of the colic. Reddish discolouration of peritoneal fluid may be a sign of a strangulating obstruction. Transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonography may provide a crucial insight into the colic cause and severity in a relatively short time, even for inexperienced examiners. In regards to small intestinal lesions, dilated small intestinal loops can often be imaged ultrasonographically before they can be palpated transrectally. The occurrence of free peritoneal fluid and dilated small intestine as well as the evaluation of the intestinal wall and the extent of the gastric wall, allow a better management of the acute colic patient. In ponies and foals, radiography as a further diagnostic imaging modality of the abdomen is of great value. It can help to visualise sand impactions, meconium impactions, or gastrointestinal atresia in the neonate.

The article provides hands-on advice and scientific background information regarding the management of the equine acute colic patient. It summarizes essential information on the patient's history, clinical examination, and legal aspects. The scope of the history is based on the clinical appearance of the patient. In horses with violent and barely controllable signs of pain, it is limited to colic-associated information such as onset, course and severity of colic signs, and the last time of defecation, as well as prior therapeutic intervention. In these patients, the clinical examination is focussed primarily on the assessment of cardiovascular parameters, rectal temperature, and the patient's behaviour. The nasogastric intubation is an essential part of the examination of a horse with colic to prevent a gastric rupture due to gastric distension. Transrectal palpation is equally important and should always be performed unless there are important reasons to object to this procedure. In most cases, a thorough patient history and clinical examination of an acute colic patient allows the examining veterinarian to make a tentative diagnosis and a prognostic evaluation. This helps with the decision to start a conservative or a surgical therapy. Due to the existing obligatory documentation requirement and the duty to inform patient owners, it is of utmost importance to promptly document one's findings, therapeutic measures, consultations, and information of the patient owner in written form. This supports further therapy and it can also be of relevance in a potentially resulting lawsuit.