Page 801 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
P. 801

vet will assess the degree of dehydration and monitor the protein levels (see Blood Tests,

        page 717). These results will be interpreted together with the clinical signs.
  VetBooks.ir  RECTAL EXAMINATION



        This may be uncomfortable for the horse but is necessary to help make the diagnosis and rule

        out other problems.


        ULTRASONOGRAPHY

        This may be helpful in establishing or confirming the diagnosis especially in young foals.



        Treatment


        The aims of treatment are to:
        •    deal with the identified cause

        •    stabilize the horse’s condition

        •    control the pain

        •    eliminate infection
        •    correct the dehydration and electrolyte imbalances

        •    provide adequate nutrition.



        MEDICATION

        This is achieved by:

        •    intensive intravenous fluid therapy
        •    long courses of antibiotics

        •    anti-endotoxin drugs

        •    administration of plasma in some cases

        •    non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs e.g. flunixin meglumine to control the pain and
             provide protection against the endotoxaemia

        •    anthelmintics if migrating worms are suspected as the cause.



        PERITONEAL DRAINAGE AND LAVAGE

        Once the horse’s condition has stabilized, this may be performed to try to remove bacteria,
        toxins and fibrin from the abdomen. It can be done during surgery or in the standing, sedated

        horse (Figure 17.20). A catheter is placed in the midline of the lowest part of the abdomen
        and between 10 and 20 litres of warmed saline is introduced into the abdomen. The horse is
   796   797   798   799   800   801   802   803   804   805   806