Understanding the equine digestive system can make your horse healthier and give you fewer worries about gastric upset. In this article, we’ll take a look at just how this “factory” is designed and how it functions.
Sand colic due to an accumulation of sand in the intestines accounts for up to 30% of all colics, often causing weight loss and chronic diarrhea. Psyllium has often been recommended as a laxative for clearing sand out of the intestines, although
If your horse has ulcers, giving him omeprazole isn’t the only thing you can do to help reduce the severity of the problem. Noah Cohen, VMD, PhD, MPH, Dipl. ACVIM, discussed a study that found alfalfa hay reduced the severity of ulcers in young,
In the past few years, we’ve been hearing how many more horses have gastric ulcers than we used to think. We also know that oral omeprazole paste (GastroGard, manufactured by Merial Limited, Decatur, Ga.) effectively treats and prevents ulcers.
Intravenous (IV) lidocaine is one systemic way to manage pain and inflammation, and it also has been used to improve intestinal motility in colic cases. Its use has been a fairly hot topic of late, so Margaret Mudge, VMD, Dipl. ACVS, ACVECC,
These days, in many species incisions are often closed with staples rather than stitches–and they’re not just for external use any more. At the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla.,
Acidosis (abnormally high acidity) in the hindgut (the large intestine and colon) can cause a number of problems in horses, including anorexia, colic, laminitis, and stereotypic (continuous, repetitive, and serving no purpose) behaviors such as
Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) can occur in horses anywhere. In 2007, Merial (the maker of Ulcergard and Gastrogard) illustrated the prevalence of EGUS by hosting gastroscopy events at two universities on opposite sides of the country.
Left dorsal displacement of the large colon isn’t the most common cause of colic–only about 6-8% of colics are caused by this. However, up to 21% of affected horses tend to displace again, even after surgical correction. These horses often have
Champion Winning Colors, winner of the 1988 Kentucky Derby, was euthanized Feb. 17 following complications from colic at Hagyard Davidson McGee vet clinic near Lexington. The 23-year-old Caro mare was buried at Greentree Farm, a division of
Mineral oil, a traditional equine laxative, clears sand from the equine intestine more effectively when used in conjunction with psyllium, according to new research from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, in Austria. These results are
Take more than 1,000 veterinarians and veterinary students from around the globe, some armed with presentations representing thousands of hours worth of equine research, and add to it some tartan, bagpipes, and Scottish fare. Drop it all into a
Ileus is one of the leading postoperative causes of death in horses.
Feeding grain, confinement, exercise, and overall environmental stress factors are thought to cause ulcers, he said. It’s commonly thought that horses turned out on pastures are better off than those that are confined. However, if grass hay is the on
The results of equine research funded by the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) in 2007 added to scientists’ understanding of foal pneumonia, hereditary muscle disorders, laminitis, and pharmacology.
