Primary gastric rupture in 20 horses from Midwestern Brazil: case report

Abstract

An 11-year (2007-2018) survey of epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings of horses with primary gastric rupture (PGR) was conducted. Twenty horses presented PGR, nine (45%) horses were clinically evaluated, eleven (55%) were sent dead, and all animals were necropsied. PGR contributed to a prevalence of 0.31% (9/2,868) of all equid attendances, 1.83% (9/491) of colic cases, and 4.1% (20/487) of all equid necropsies. Highly fermentable feed (n=7), gastric impaction (n=4), and perforating gastric ulcer (n=1) were the main causes of PGR; whilst eight horses presented idiopathic gastric rupture. Clinically evaluated horses were tachycardic, tachypneic, febrile, dehydrated, with increased abdominal tension, abnormal mucous membranes and reduced to absent intestinal borborygmi. Improper dietary management, such as the ingestion of low-quality roughage and highly fermentable feedstuffs were detected as the main factors associated with PGR in Midwestern Brazil. It is important to raise awareness in horse owners about proper feed management to minimize PGR.

Survey on the recognition, attitudes, and experience of horse owners during episodes of equine colic in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

“…Although these are nonspecific mild signs that may occur in normal or other conditions, they are also potential signs of colic. These may be the only signs in less severe types of colic, such as gastric ulcers ( Belli et al, 2005 ) and large intestinal impactions ( Ferreira et al, 2009 ), or early signs of severe conditions, such as enteritis or peritonitis ( Dória et al, 2015 ; Ferreira et al, 2007 ; Gonzaga et al, 2020 ). Although anorexia, a partial or total reduction in food intake, is common in several horse conditions, it should be considered during decision-making by owners as it is a clinical sign associated with colic conditions of varying severity and may also act as a predisposing factor for this condition by decreasing gastrointestinal motility ( Di Filippo et al, 2021 ; Melo et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Research exploring the pathophysiology and epidemiology of colic has provided valuable information to assist in the development of preventive strategies and understanding of the clinical course of different diseases ( Gonzaga et al, 2020 ). However, insights into the management of colic conditions are necessary as they can support the design and implementation of strategies that will facilitate owners in making decisions early regarding the need for veterinary medical care ( Bowden et al, 2020 ; Buckley et al, 2004 ; Ireland et al, 2012 ; Nardi et al, 2022 ).…”