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.
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