Scoping is not just for stomachs!
Here we are looking at the inside of a bladder on a patient who suddenly started having discolored urine. A scope of the urethra and bladder can help determine where the off color is coming from.
You can actually see two different "cascades" on this video: the first one is very dark and the second is more typical urine color (one from each ureter that enters the bladder). This indicates that the source of the discolored urine is coming from only one kidney/ureter. In this case the best thing for the patient is a referral to Oregon State for further diagnostics with their large animal internal medicine team. We are lucky to have them as a resource for us and our patients!
Thanks to @medequusltd for making a great and versatile endoscope!
Who knows what this is???
If your first thought was an alien or portal to another dimension, we can see why you'd think that!
Actually, this is a structure called the pylorus, which is positioned at the bottom of the stomach. The dark hole is the entrance to the duodenum (small intestine). This is a common place for glandular stomach ulcers to occur. You can see some here: the very red splotchy areas towards the bottom.
We commonly see glandular ulcers in horses presenting with performance issues such as a reluctance to work or unwillingess to go forward. Sometimes these horses will also seem to get uncomfortable when they eat grain or concentrates. Horses can have these type of stomach ulcers with or without having ulcers in the upper (squamous) portion of the stomach, and they are often treated differently too which is why it is important to get a diagnosis via gastroscopy.
With our fantastic MedView DV Gastroscope from @medequusltd we can scope your horse at our clinic or at your barn. Feel free to give us a call to schedule or get more info! (503) 632-6336
Gastroscopy: Pylorus
Who knows what this is???
If your first thought was an alien or portal to another dimension, we can see why you'd think that!
Actually, this is a structure called the pylorus, which is positioned at the bottom of the stomach. The dark hole is the entrance to the duodenum (small intestine). This is a common place for glandular stomach ulcers to occur. You can see some here: the very red splotchy areas towards the bottom.
We commonly see glandular ulcers in horses presenting with performance issues such as a reluctance to work or unwillingess to go forward. Sometimes these horses will also seem to get uncomfortable when they eat grain or concentrates. Horses can have these type of stomach ulcers with or without having ulcers in the upper (squamous) portion of the stomach, and they are often treated differently too which is why it is important to get a diagnosis via gastroscopy.
With our fantastic MedView DV Gastroscope from MedEquus we can scope your horse at our clinic or at your barn. Feel free to give us a call to schedule or get more info! (503) 632-6336
Region 6 USDF Championships is in full swing. Dr. Willsey was on site yesterday and Dr. Moneta is here during competition hours today and tomorrow. Congrats to all who have shown already and good luck to everyone!
A horse sized splinter! This little wood chunk had broken off at skin level and a small incision had to be made to pull this out. One end was very sharp so it was easy to see how it punctured the skin and then got buried.
Equine Emergencies: CHOKE
Aka esophageal obstruction, choke is one of the common emergencies we get called out for.
Do you have experience with choke or any questions? Let us know in the comments!
Signs of choke usually start soon after the horse starts eating grain (sometimes hay, but grain/pellets are more common) and include discharge from both nostrils, usually white to green color, coughing, neck spasms as the horse tries to swallow. Some horses are very calm, others can become anxious.
What to do if you suspect your horse is choking: remove food and water and call your veterinarian! Some choke episodes are very short and will self-resolve within a few minutes, but if not then your horse will need some help.
What not to do: do not administer any oral medications (they can't swallow them!). Do not try to fix it by squirting water in their mouth as you could cause the horse to aspirate.
When the vet arrives: a big bucket of warm water is appreciated! A physical exam will be done and then the horse is typically sedated and a nasogastric tube is passed up the horse's nose and into the esophagus until the blockage is encountered. Food material will usually start coming back through the tube, it is then gently lavaged with water until the blockage is cleared and the tube can be passed all the way to the stomach. Follow your vet's instructions for aftercare! This may include an altered diet, antiinflammatories, and antibiotics depending on the case.
Monitor your horse after a choke episode for fever, lack of appetite, coughing, lethargy, or recurrence of choke signs.
When you're born during chilly weather you get used to wearing a blanket really quickly! Congrats to Kyle on your flashy new colt!
