SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
Pneumatosis intestinalis
Gastritis/gastric ulceration
Irregular thickening of the gastric wall with prominent rugal folds may be detected in
some horses with gastritis. Gastric ulcers cannot usually be imaged
ultrasonographically, but have been seen by the author in one yearling with a severe
gastric impaction.
Gastric distention
Fluid, gas and ingesta can all be imaged sonographically in the horse with colic and
gastric distention.
Gastric fluid distention with dorsal gas cap
Gastric impaction
Gastric emptying problems may be identified sonographically if large amounts of
ingesta persist unchanged in the stomach in a fasted, anorexic or refluxing horse on
repeat examinations. The distended stomach is less circular than normal, with
hyperechoic ingesta or anechoic to hypoechoic fluid in the lumen of the stomach. The
sonographic appearance of a gastric impaction is a markedly enlarged gastric echo
extending over 7 or more intercostal spaces on the left side of the abdomen. Gastric
impactions appear as a markedly enlarged stomach that is imageable over many
intercostal spaces with ventral and caudal displacement of the spleen.
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