SAEVA Proceedings 2018 4. Proceedings | Page 124

SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa Ascarid in small intestine Medical Colics Enteritis/Duodenitis Fluid distension of the intestinal tract with increased peristalsis is consistent with enteritis. The wall of the affected portion of the intestine may be thickened, edematous and more hypoechoic than normal, particularly with severe inflammatory bowel disease. In foals with proximal duodenitis, the duodenum is usually thickened with a heteroechoic wall which may be more echoic than normal. The thickening of the wall is often irregular and more marked orally. Shreds of intestinal mucosa may be imaged in the lumen of the intestinal tract. Marked thickening of the intestinal wall has been imaged in foals with Lawsonia infection. Pneumatosis intestinalis Pneumatosis intestinalis is gas in the bowel wall associated with anaerobic bacteria and is an indication of necrotizing enterocolitis. Scattered hyperechoic echoes associated with gas are most commonly detected in affected foals but clumps of gas may also be visualized. The intramural gas is more frequently detected in the small intestine but may be detected in the large intestine or both the small and large intestine. The affected intestinal wall is often thicker than normal and may have abnormal wall layering. The detection of pneumatosis intestinalis is associated with a poor prognosis in equine neonates. 119