UDC:619:616-073.43:636.1
DOI: 10.36871/vet.zoo.bio.202203002
Authors
Zinaida S. Artyushina
Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology – MVA by K. I. Skryabin”, Moscow, Russia
Abstract
Differential diagnostics of pathologies of the digestive system of horses accompanied by the picture
of true colic is an urgent problem of modern veterinary medicine. Ultrasonography is a reliable
non-invasive method of diagnostics of digestive tract pathologies in horses at urgent conditions.
The article suggests the improved method of express scanning of the abdominal cavity of horses
which consists of its division into zones limited by lines drawn through the anatomic landmarks
(macrosculpture, sciatic tubercle, shoulder and scapular junction). Zones of anatomico-topographic
and pathological diagnostic findings were determined. The ultrasonographic pictures of the
abdominal cavity organs in norm and at pathologies of the digestive system accompanying with
the symptomcomplex of true colic are compared in the work. Ultrasound allows for the diagnosis
of acute dilation and rupture of the stomach, rupture of the cecum, the movement of the large
colon into the renal-spleen space, intestinal abscess, diaphragmatic, inguinal, umbilical hernia,
violation of patency of the small intestine. By means of ultrasonography it is possible to determine
the presence of edema of the intestinal wall, its diameter and character of its contents, as well as
atony and hypotony; it gives real-time insight into the state of intestinal motility and the presence
and character of perineal fluid. The aim of the present study was to choose the optimal protocol
for abdominal screening to determine the condition of the animal in emergency cases, i.e. urgent
conditions with suspected pathology of the digestive system.
Keywords
colic, abdominal ultrasonography, diagnostic protocol, horse, ultrasound.
