b'2019 AAEP CONVENTION WRAP-UPtheir feces or after defecating, is anotheracupuncture, might benefit some hors- common problem veterinarians see. Thees with impaction colic by stimulating panel offered no magic bullets; however,motility or reducing pain.they discussed ingredients in oral supple- Clair Thunes, PhD ments and feeds that might help maintain horses mucosal lining. Attendees showedARTICLE SPONSORED BYparticular interest in supplementing with encapsulated butyrate. This short-chain fatty acid promotes the growth of tissues lining the GI tract and might help reduce leaky gut incidence. Leaky gut occurs when the tight junctions between intes-tinal lining cells are disrupted, creating gaps that allow molecules to pass between the gut and the bloodstream. Butyr-ate is an end product of fiber digestion, and the panelists said feeding psyllium COURTESY DR. KAJSA GUSTAFSSONmight naturally result in hindgut butyrateWOUND CAREMedical-Grade Honey Creates production.Transfaunation In cases of hindgut dis- Sweet Buzz for Preventing Inci-ruption, veterinarians sometimes performsional Complicationstransfaunation, in which they administerNearly 3% of horses colic during any feces from a healthy horse as a slurry viagiven year, and up to 17% go to surgery nasogastric tube to an affected horse inMedical-grade honey offers another line ofbecause of it. If thats not enough to hopes of populating the hindgut with ben- defense against incisional infection in horsesworry about, 11-42% of horses get an in-eficial bacteria. When asked whether thisundergoing colic surgery. cisional infection after colic surgery. But practice would benefit horses sufferingKajsa Gustafsson, DVM, and researchers from colitis (inflammation of the colon),scientific data as to whether acupunc- at the Hebrew University of Jerusalems the panelists said no well-controlledture is more effective than traditionalKoret School of Veterinary Medicine studies on the technique currently exist;approaches, because its difficult to getmight have found a promising solution to however, it might benefit some cases. enough cases to conduct a controlledpreventing these postoperative infections: Hand-walking Hand-walking is a popu- study. Additionally, acupuncture isntmedical-grade honey.lar practice among horse owners whenuseful for surgical colics except to relieveHoney has been known for its me-dealing with actively colicking horses.pain, he said. Audience members saiddicinal properties since ancient times, The panel agreed that hand-walking isthey use acupuncture for refractory casessaid Gustafsson. The rise in antibiotic-generally a good idea but offered somethat are also refluxing and that elec- resistant bacteria has created renewed cautions. Hassel said you need to knowtroacupuncture might be more useful ininterest in this natural infection-fighter. whether the condition is colic, becausesome cases. Both doctors and veterinarians have been other conditions such as botulism mightTake-home message Colic continues tousing honey topically to treat wounds to produce similar symptoms, and hand- be the No. 1 killer of horses, but research- good effect, but Gustafsson investigated walking in these cases is not recom- ers are actively working to improveif its antimicrobial properties might also mended. Also, dont walk colicking horsesprevention and treatment for many formswork below the surface and significantly to exhaustion. In Andrews clinic, horsesof colic. Panelist take-homes included: decrease the incidence of colic surgery with medically managed colic are walked1.Colicking horses benefit from oral, IV,incisional infections.every four hours. Others on the paneland in some cases rectal fluid therapy. In a two-year study using 89 horses, walk horses for five minutes every two2. Mineral oil given via a nasogastric tubethe Koret surgical team applied medical-hours.to colicky horses is a good marker forgrade honey (L-mesitran soft) within Acupuncture The session ended with aliquid passage through the GI tract. the incision after suturing the linea alba discussion on whether acupuncture might3.Veterinarians should use COX-1-(the fibrous structure that runs down the benefit horses suffering from impactions.inhibiting NSAIDs (flunixin meglu- abdominal midline) prior to subcutaneous Andrews said he has had horses thatmine, etc.) with caution for colickingand skin closure. The veterinarians ran-were showing little progress pass manurehorses, because the drugs might inhibitdomly assigned horses to treatment and quickly after acupuncture treatment. Hetissue repair. COX-2 inhibitors such ascontrol groups. The evaluators, who did said he now uses it often in cases of pelvicfirocoxib might offer a good alternativenot know which horses had been treated flexure impaction and postoperative ileus.for pain control in some colic patients. with honey, conducted postop incision Typically, horses need more than one4.Light hand-walking is beneficial; walk- assessments four times in a 14-day period. acupuncture treatment daily for severaling to exhaustion is not. After the horses were discharged,days. He cautioned that he doesnt have5.Complementary medicine, such asresearchers continued to follow their 48March 2020The Horse|TheHorse.comAAEPWrapUp.indd 48 2/5/20 2:54 PM'