Hospital-based study of dental pathology and faecal particle size distribution in horses with large colon impaction

Gunnarsdottir, Helga; Stede, Yves Van der; Vlamynck, Caroline De; Muurling, Floor; Clercq, Dominique De; Loon, Gunther van; Vlaminck, Lieven

doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.07.013

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Thus, the results demonstrate that in contrast to previous findings (Argenzio et al, 1974;Björnhag et al, 1984;Sperber et al, 1992) and resulting graphical reviews (Drogoul et al, 2000;Van Weyenberg, Sales, & Janssens, 2006), net differences in the passage of different-sized particles through the gastrointestinal tract are not a decisive part of the digestive physiology of horses. Notably, previous findings on a selective large particle retention in the dorsal colon of horses were observed with polyethylene markers of 10 and 20 mm length, which is not representative of an important fraction of the horse's digesta when compared to the sieve results of the present study in Figure 3, or to reported mean FPS in equids of 0.5-1.9 mm (Carmalt et al, 2005;Clauss et al, 2014;Fritz et al, 2009;Gunnarsdottir et al, 2014;Zwirglmaier et al, 2013). Given these data on physiological mean particle sizes in the digesta of horses, the 10-to 20-mm particles used by Argenzio et al (1974) might even be more comparable to the foreign bodies, the coarse hay or "lawnmower grass" typically associated with caecal or colonic impaction (Collatos & Romano, 1993;Dabareiner & White, 1995).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 89%

“…However, in horses, the more intensive ingestive mastication (Dittmann, Kreuzer, Runge, & Clauss, ; Janis, Constable, Houpt, Streich, & Clauss, ), together with their particularly efficient dental design (Rensberger, ), could reduce labelled long particles that are fed to the animals to such a degree that the result no longer represents different‐sized particles. This concern is supported by the mean particle size observed in horse faeces of 0.5–1.9 mm (Carmalt, Cymbaluk, & Townsend, ; Clauss et al., ; Fritz et al., ; Gunnarsdottir et al., ; Zwirglmaier et al., ), which, due to the absence of rumination, can be used as a proxy for their chewing efficiency during ingestion (Carmalt & Allen, ). It is also supported by the finding that horses destroy a higher proportion of seeds during ingestive mastication than cattle (Janzen, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparative selective retention of particle size classes in the gastrointestinal tract of ponies and goats

Hummel

Scheurich

Ortmann

et al. 2017

Animal Physiology Nutrition

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There is a discrepancy in the literature on potential digesta separation mechanisms in horses, with both a selective retention of fine and of large particles postulated in different publications. To assess the net effect of such mechanisms, we fed ponies on a hay-only diet a pulse dose of whole (unchopped) marked hay together with a solute marker, collected faeces on a regular basis, measured marker concentrations in whole faeces and in their large (2.0-16 mm), medium (0.5-1.0 mm) and small (0.063-0.25 mm) particle fraction, and calculated the corresponding mean retention times (MRTs). For comparison, the same experiment was performed in goats. In goats, as expected, MRT (35 hr) was significantly shorter than MRT (51 hr); only a very small fraction of particle marker was excreted as large particles (2%); and the MRT of these large particles was significantly shorter than that of small particles (with a relevant difference of 8.6 hr), indicating that those few large particles that escape the rumen do so mostly soon after ingestion. In ponies, MRT (24 hr) did not differ from MRT (24 hr); a higher fraction of particle marker was excreted as large particles (5%); and the MRT of these large particles was longer than that of small particles (but with a non-relevant difference of less than 1 hr). These results indicate that no relevant net separation of digesta phases occurs in horses and that selective particle retention mechanisms in the large intestine are unlikely to represent important characteristics of the horse's digestive physiology.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative selective retention of particle size classes in the gastrointestinal tract of ponies and goats

Hummel

Scheurich

Ortmann

et al. 2017

Animal Physiology Nutrition

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“…Predisposing factors to this condition in horses are water deprivation, poor dentition, and dietary changes (Uzal et al 2016), as observed in the current study. Dental problems were evidenced in three cases, but, still, a previous work was not able to establish an association between dental pathology, fecal particle size, and impaction colic in horses (Gunnarsdottir et al 2014). Furthermore, another important predisposing factor identified was previous colic surgery in four cases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Epidemiological and pathological aspects of noninfectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in 114 horses in Southern Brazil

et al. 2020

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ABSTRACT: Equine colic is one of the most common cause of death in horses, but few studies have investigated specifically the conditions at the necropsy. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological and pathological features of noninfectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in horses. A retrospective study was conducted in search of cases of these diseases affecting horses from 2005 to 2017. During this period, 114 horses died of noninfectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and the main causes were: primary gastric dilation (27/114), volvulus (27/114), enterolithiasis (20/114), rectal (colonic) perforation (15/114), gastric or cecocolonic impaction (10/114), incarcerations (6/114), intussusception (4/114), and others (5/114). Mixed breeds horses (56/114) and males (69/114) were mostly affected. The horses had a median and mean age of 10 and 10.9-years old, respectively. Primary gastric dilation was characterized by distension of the stomach by moderate to large amounts of content, which in 21 cases caused tearing of the stomach wall at the greater curvature (peritonitis), and the main predisposing factor was alimentary overload (17/27). Intestinal volvulus occurred within the small intestine (14 cases) and within the large intestines (13 cases). Grossly, there was intestinal ischemia with reddened to deep-black serosa and diffusely red mucosae. Enterolithiasis caused partial or complete obstruction of the right dorsal colon (9/20), transverse colon (4/20), small colon and right dorsal colon (3/20), rectum and right dorsal colon (2/20), and small colon (2/20). Viscera perforation and peritonitis occurred in 11 cases. Rectal (colonic) perforation involved the rectum (10/15), rectum/small colon (4/15), and the small colon (1/15). It was characterized by a focally extensive transmural tearing, associated with reddened borders, and retroperitoneal to diffuse peritonitis. Palpation related iatrogenic injuries (11/15) were the main cause. Impactions affected the large colon (7/10), the cecum (2/10), and the stomach (1/10). Incarcerations consisted of inguinoscrotal hernias (2/6), small intestine entrapment by a mesenteric failure (2/6), diaphragmatic hernia, and umbilical eventration. Grossly, the organs were constricted by a hernial ring, with intestinal ischemia and reddened to dark-red serosa. Predisposing factors included previous surgeries (2/6) and patent inguinal ring (1/6). Intussusception involved the small intestine (3/4) and ileocecum (1/4). Foals with lack of colostrum intake and concomitant pneumonia was a characteristic presentation (3/4). Grossly, the intussusceptum slipped into intussuscipiens, with diffuse deep black-red discoloration. Other causes included large colon displacement (2/5), extrinsic and intrinsic obstruction of the small intestine (2/5), and an intestinal adenocarcinoma. Noninfectious gastrointestinal diseases are major causes of death in horses. Epidemiological and gross features of the conditions should be accounted to obtain a final diagnosis of the cause of the colic.

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“…It may also be argued that the recurrent episodes of colic could have been related to inefficient or ineffective mastication that, in turn, may have predisposed the horse to large colon impaction colic. While an attractive theory, previous published work looking at the effect of dental pathology on faecal particle size in horses with large colon impaction does not support this argument (Carmalt and Allen 2006;Gunnarsdottir et al 2014). It is possible that well-nourished horses have the privilege of being more selective in their forage choice and despite oral or TMJ pain, continue to chew their feed, whereas horses that are malnourished may be more ravenous, swallowing the feed that is not properly processed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinically significant, nontraumatic, degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joints in a horse

Smyth

Allen

Carmalt

2015

Equine Veterinary Education

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Summary Horses with degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have been reported infrequently, with the majority of cases describing the disease as a consequence of an earlier traumatic event. A case of clinically significant TMJ‐DJD due to a nontraumatic event has not been published. This retrospective case report describes a case of bilateral, DJD of the TMJ. Case management, subsequent review and interpretation of the clinical records, tangential radiographic views of each TMJ, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the head, and post mortem histological examination of the TMJs were performed. The horse exhibited both quidding and a ‘clicking’ sound during mastication; episodes of intermittent colic were also prevalent in the horse's history. Computed tomography illustrated bilateral mineralisation of the rostral aspect of both intra‐articular discs. Treatment, by intra‐articular injection of corticosteroid, resulted in temporary resolution of both the quidding and the ‘clicking’ sound, as well as the recurrent episodes of colic. Repeated treatment over time was required. Ultimately the horse was subjected to euthanasia for reasons other than disease of the TMJ. The development of TMJ‐DJD may not be confined to traumatic events. Age‐related degeneration of this joint may occur and manifest through quidding and abnormal sounds noted during mastication.

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Hospital-based study of dental pathology and faecal particle size distribution in horses with large colon impaction

Cited by 18 publications

References 28 publications

Comparative selective retention of particle size classes in the gastrointestinal tract of ponies and goats

Comparative selective retention of particle size classes in the gastrointestinal tract of ponies and goats

Epidemiological and pathological aspects of noninfectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in 114 horses in Southern Brazil

Clinically significant, nontraumatic, degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joints in a horse

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