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The Veterinary Clinics of North... Aug 2021Colic is one of the most frequent emergencies necessitating veterinary attention. Referral is not an option in many cases; therefore, the ability to diagnose and treat... (Review)
Review
Colic is one of the most frequent emergencies necessitating veterinary attention. Referral is not an option in many cases; therefore, the ability to diagnose and treat colic in an ambulatory setting is paramount. Portable imaging and point-of-care testing has improved the ability to identify lesions and assess the patient's status. In cases when field management is the only option, practitioners should be aware of the various treatment options available.
Topics: Ambulatory Care; Animals; Colic; Emergencies; Horse Diseases; Horses; Point-of-Care Testing
PubMed: 34243880
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2021.04.010 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Aug 2023Most recurrent episodes of non-specific colic are self-limiting, and the results of clinical examinations are unremarkable. Differentiating these cases from serious... (Review)
Review
Most recurrent episodes of non-specific colic are self-limiting, and the results of clinical examinations are unremarkable. Differentiating these cases from serious diseases can be difficult, but repeated evaluations are warranted. Horses presenting with very frequent bouts of colic are more likely to have serious diseases and a higher mortality rate compared to horses presenting with less frequent bouts of transient colic. Horses with recurrent bouts of prolonged colic are more likely to have motility issues or partial intestinal obstruction. Non-gastrointestinal diseases can also cause recurrent bouts of pain ("false colic"). Adhesions are common causes of colic following abdominal surgery.
Topics: Animals; Horses; Motivation; Horse Diseases; Intestinal Obstruction; Colic
PubMed: 37121784
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2023.03.014 -
Journal of Veterinary Emergency and... Jan 2022Abdominocentesis is commonly used to evaluate the abdominal cavity of the horse. This technique provides valuable diagnostic information as well as the means to monitor... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Abdominocentesis is commonly used to evaluate the abdominal cavity of the horse. This technique provides valuable diagnostic information as well as the means to monitor patients with abdominal diseases being managed medically and to determine their need for surgical management. Complications are uncommon and include trauma to the gastrointestinal tract or spleen, septic peritonitis, or abdominal wall infection.
PROCEDURES
This review describes the indications, utility, patient preparation, and instructions for performing abdominocentesis as well as possible complications reported in horses. Step-by-step instructions are provided for the two most commonly used abdominocentesis techniques in horses, which include the use of a needle (18 Ga, 3.8 cm [1.5 in]) and a teat cannula (9.5 cm [3.75 in]).
SUMMARY
Peritoneal fluid collection and fluid analysis can be used to confirm diagnosis of intraabdominal pathology including inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic, obstructive, and bowel strangulation, leading to additional diagnostic and therapeutic plans.
KEY POINTS
Abdominocentesis is useful as a diagnostic procedure in horses suffering from colic, diarrhea, weight loss, or other conditions involving the abdominal cavity and is an integral component of diagnostic testing for colic at referral institutions or in the field. Abdominal fluid collection using an 18-Ga, 3.8-cm (1.5-in) needle is recommended for adult horses because the needle is long enough to penetrate the peritoneal cavity. The teat cannula technique is recommended for use in adult horses, foals, and miniature horses to reduce the risk of enterocentesis, even though this procedure is more traumatic than using an 18-Ga, 3.8-cm needle. Ultrasonography of the abdomen is a valuable tool in the assessment of any horse with signs of colic, but it is not essential for performing an abdominocentesis successfully.
Topics: Abdomen; Animals; Ascitic Fluid; Colic; Horse Diseases; Horses; Peritonitis
PubMed: 35044064
DOI: 10.1111/vec.13118 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Aug 2023Repeat celiotomy can be lifesaving in horses with a surgically treatable postoperative obstruction, although guidelines for its use are lacking, except for... (Review)
Review
Repeat celiotomy can be lifesaving in horses with a surgically treatable postoperative obstruction, although guidelines for its use are lacking, except for uncontrollable postoperative pain. Overdiagnosis of ileus as the cause of postoperative obstruction could delay a second surgery so the disease progresses beyond a manageable level of severity. Although many horses respond favorably to repeat celiotomy, complications can be severe and life threatening, such as incisional infection and adhesions. Repeat celiotomy does not seem to exacerbate postoperative ileus, despite additional surgical manipulation. An important benefit of repeat celiotomy is termination of hopeless cases, thereby reducing cost and suffering.
Topics: Animals; Horses; Colic; Retrospective Studies; Horse Diseases; Surgical Wound Infection; Ileus; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 37121783
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2023.03.012 -
The British Journal of Nutrition Feb 2022This review intends to act as an overview of fructose malabsorption (FM) and its role in the aetiology of diseases including, but not limited to, irritable bowel... (Review)
Review
This review intends to act as an overview of fructose malabsorption (FM) and its role in the aetiology of diseases including, but not limited to, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and infantile colic and the relationship between fructose absorption and the propagation of some cancers. IBS results in a variety of symptoms including stomach pains, cramps and bloating. Patients can be categorised into two groups, depending on whether the patients’ experiences either constipation (IBS-C) or diarrhoea (IBS-D). FM has been proposed as a potential cause of IBS-D and other diseases, such as infantile colic. However, our knowledge of FM is limited by our understanding of the biochemistry related to the absorption of fructose in the small intestine and FM’s relationship with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It is important to consider the dietary effects on FM and most importantly, the quantity of excess free fructose consumed. The diagnosis of FM is difficult and often requires indirect means that may result in false positives. Current treatments of FM include dietary intervention, such as low fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols diets and enzymatic treatments, such as the use of xylose isomerase. More research is needed to accurately diagnose and effectively treat FM. This review is designed with the goal of providing a detailed outline of the issues regarding the causes, diagnosis and treatment of FM.
Topics: Breath Tests; Colic; Fructose; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Malabsorption Syndromes
PubMed: 33818329
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114521001215 -
Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe G,... Dec 2021
Topics: Animals; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Colic; Horse Diseases; Horses; Italy
PubMed: 34861738
DOI: 10.1055/a-1647-9687 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Aug 2023The following article provides an overview of the last 5 years of research and innovation within the field of equine colic surgery, focusing on new techniques, new or... (Review)
Review
The following article provides an overview of the last 5 years of research and innovation within the field of equine colic surgery, focusing on new techniques, new or recently described lesions, prevention of lesion recurrence or postoperative complications, and updates in prognoses. Early surgical intervention is an important factor in horse survival.
Topics: Animals; Horses; Colic; Laparotomy; Horse Diseases; Postoperative Complications; Prognosis
PubMed: 37169619
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2023.03.009 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Sep 2021
Topics: Adult; Biliary Tract Diseases; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; Colic; Conservative Treatment; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Gallstones; Hospitalization; Humans; Liver Function Tests; Primary Health Care; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 34518165
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n2085 -
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Jan 2020The pathogenesis of infant colic is poorly defined. Gut microbiota seems to be involved, supporting the potential therapeutic role of probiotics. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
The pathogenesis of infant colic is poorly defined. Gut microbiota seems to be involved, supporting the potential therapeutic role of probiotics.
AIMS
To assess the rate of infants with a reduction of ≥50% of mean daily crying duration after 28 days of intervention with the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12). Secondary outcomes were daily number of crying episodes, sleeping time, number of bowel movements and stool consistency.
METHODS
Randomized controlled trial (RCT) on otherwise healthy exclusively breastfed infants with infant colic randomly allocated to receive BB-12 (1 × 10 CFU/day) or placebo for 28 days. Gut microbiota structure and butyrate, beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2), cathelicidin (LL-37), secretory IgA (sIgA) and faecal calprotectin levels were assessed.
RESULTS
Eighty infants were randomised, 40/group. The rate of infants with reduction of ≥50% of mean daily crying duration was higher in infants treated with BB-12, starting from the end of 2nd week. No infant relapsed when treatment was stopped. The mean number of crying episodes decreased in both groups, but with a higher effect in BB-12 group (-4.7 ± 3.4 vs -2.3 ± 2.2, P < 0.05). Mean daily stool frequency decreased in both groups but the effect was significantly higher in the BB-12 group; stool consistency was similar between the two groups. An increase in Bifidobacterium abundance (with significant correlation with crying time reduction), butyrate and HBD-2, LL-37, sIgA levels associated with a decrease in faecal calprotectin level were observed in the BB-12 group.
CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with BB-12 is effective in managing infant colic. The effect could derive from immune and non-immune mechanisms associated with a modulation of gut microbiota structure and function.
Topics: Bifidobacterium animalis; Breast Feeding; Colic; Crying; Defecation; Double-Blind Method; Feces; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Infant; Infant Care; Male; Placebos; Probiotics; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31797399
DOI: 10.1111/apt.15561 -
Nutrients Jan 2023About 1 in 4 infants comes forward with prolonged crying, agitation, or infant colic (IC) during the first three months of life and is referred for medical evaluation.... (Review)
Review
About 1 in 4 infants comes forward with prolonged crying, agitation, or infant colic (IC) during the first three months of life and is referred for medical evaluation. The pathogenesis remains poorly understood, as do its implications for future health. The aim of this narrative review was to critically examine and discuss the available literature on long-term consequences of excessive crying and/or colic. Most studies display an association between IC and the onset of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) years later, probably related to the presence of common etiopathogenetic factors (environmental, dietary, intestinal dysmotility, visceral hypersensitivity). Although allergic disease in first-degree relatives may be a risk factor for IC, the latter does not appear to be a risk factor for subsequent atopic disease in the individual. Overall, there seems to be a relationship between IC and subsequent headaches, of the migraine type. Similarly, behavioral problems in children with a history of IC appear to be associated with higher parental stress scores. However, the current evidence is based on associations, and currently, a causal relationship between excessive crying and IC and long-term consequences remains not documented.
Topics: Infant; Child; Humans; Colic; Risk Factors; Hypersensitivity; Migraine Disorders; Parents
PubMed: 36771322
DOI: 10.3390/nu15030615