peritonitis is seen as anorexia, weight loss, and intermittent colic with un-thrifty and possible abscessation. Diagnosis is through a _________________ to assess the peritoneal fluid for foreign matter or bacteria. An ultrasound can be used to determine if abscesses have developed. Exploratory surgery can also be used to confirm an etiology. Treatment must be immediate and includes IV fluids, anti-biotics, NSAIDs, a nasogastric tube, a lavage using catheters with a salt saline solution and possible surgery to treat the original cause. Euthanasia may be necessary in cases of acute peritonitis.
Enterocolitis
Enteritis is any inflammatory condition of the small intestine while colitis is an inflammatory condition of the large intestine. Most cases involve both the small intestine and colon; therefore, enterocolitis is the common name given. Etiologies include infection such as Salmonella spp., actinobacillosis and equine viral arteritis, or internal parasites. These bacteria carry an _________________ in their cell wall that irritates and inflames the intestinal lining. This irritation triggers the secretion of fluids and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen, the increased production of mucus, and the increase in intestinal motility. This results in severe, watery ______________. The infection also causes a systemic response that includes fever, depression and lethargy. Parasites also cause inflammation & diarrhea as well as anemia and protein loss. Transmission of Salmonella spp . occurs through the ingestion of feed, water or soil contaminated by infected feces. Horses under stress, are kept in over crowed circumstances, or those undergoing systemic antibiotic therapy may be at higher risk of being infected by Salmonella spp . Enterocolitis is seen clinically as watery and malodorous diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration, congestion of the mucus membranes, abdominal distension, pyrexia, lethargy, depression and leukopenia.
Diagnosis is made through the isolation of bacteria/parasites from fecal culture.
Treatment includes the isolation and quarantine of infected individuals and supportive care including the administration of IV fluids, amino acids and _____________________. Plasma transfusion may be required by severely infected individuals. The use of antibiotics is contraindicated as it has been shown to exacerbate diarrhea in many individuals.
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