Page 799 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• severe depression

• loss of appetite
VetBooks.ir • abdominal pain

•
reduced gut sounds
• diarrhoea

• fewer droppings than normal

• very congested mucous membranes that may be brick red or bluish in colour

• increased capillary refill time
• dehydration

• distension of the abdomen

• muscle fasciculations

• cold extremities
• collapse

• sudden death

• rectal examination may be painful.

These horses are often reluctant to move and walk uncharacteristically slowly and stiffly.

Death may occur within hours.

CHRONIC PERITONITIS

The symptoms are less acute in onset and can develop over a period of days or weeks. They

include:
• depression

• poor appetite

• intermittent low-grade colic

• gradual weight loss

• temperature fluctuations
• increased heart and respiratory rates

• reluctance to move and a stiff, slow gait

• ventral oedema

• diarrhoea and reduced passage of faeces

• abnormal posture and stretching.