SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
development of oliguria. In such cases, therapy needs to be more intensive, as
described in the section on ARF. Routine monitoring of plasma Na, K, Ca, and
HCO 3 concentrations are required, and the diet supplemented with one or more of
these substances when indicated. Vitamin B complex supplementation, and
occasional anabolic steroid administration may help to minimize the rate of weight
loss and the severity of electrolyte imbalances. Protein concentrations should be
moderate. The use of nephrotoxic agents and NSAIDS should be avoided if
possible, especially if the horse has tubular disease. In cases of chronic
glomerulonephritis, the use of glucocorticoids has been recommended. However, it
is this author’s impression that such therapy is of limited or no benefit, and may
contribute to muscle wasting.
Scanning the Foal: A Practical Guide
Virginia B Reef, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Mark Whittier and Lila Griswold Allam Professor of Medicine,
Chief Section of Imaging New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Rd., Kennett Square,
PA 19348 610-925-6403, Fax: 610-925-8131, email:[email protected]
Introduction
Ultrasonography is invaluable in the diagnosis of the cause of colic in foals and
determining if the colic is medical or surgical, as well as in diagnosing internal
umbilical remnant infection, uroperitoneum, thoracic or abdominal abscesses
associated with Rhodococcus equi, and rib fractures in neonates.
Surgical Colics
Herniation
Displacement of the gastrointestinal viscera into the thoracic cavity can usually be
diagnosed ultrasonographically by scanning the affected side of the thorax and cranial
abdomen and looking for the rent in the diaphragm, as displacement of the overlying
lung by the herniated viscera occurs. In equine neonates, diaphragmatic hernias
associated rib fractures should be considered.
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