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