A anestesia do paciente equino acometido por síndrome do abdômen agudo ainda é uma das situações mais desafiadoras enfrentada pelo médico veterinário anestesiologista na pratica clínica. Apesar dos inúmeros avanços alcançados na área de ventilação mecânica, monitoramento avançado do status volêmico e atendimento do paciente critico, o equilíbrio entre a melhor estratégia de ventilação, de modo a minimizar a ocorrência de shunt e espaço morto, e a otimização dos parâmetros de oxigenação e hemodinâmica para que a perfusão sanguínea para os tecidos periféricos seja mantida, ainda não foi determinada para cavalo afetado por síndrome cólica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o impacto de dois valores diferentes de pressão positiva ao final da expiração (PEEP) sobre os parâmetros de ventilação, oxigenação, hemodinâmica e consumo de fármacos vasopressores em equinos submetidos a laparotomia exploratória em decorrência de quadros de abdômen agudo de diferentes etiologias. Para isso foram utilizados 20 animais, sendo 12 machos e 8 fêmeas, pesando 431±95 kg e encaminhados para o serviço de cirurgia de grandes animais da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia de Universidade de São Paulo (FMVZ/USP). Após avaliação pré-anestésica os animais foram pré-medicados com xilazina (0,6mg/kg-1) pela via intravenosa, decorridos 10 minutos realizou-se a indução da anestesia com cetamina (2,2mg/kg-1) associada a diazepam (0,05mg/kg-1). Os animais foram então posicionados em decúbito dorsal, mantidos em ventilação mecânica por volume controlado, com volume corrente de 14mL/kg e submetidos a manobra de recrutamento alveolar por escalonamento da PEEP, de maneira crescente a cada 5 minutos até 22 cmH2O, seguida do escalonamento decrescente, de forma que os animais foram então divididos sistematicamente em 2 grupos: PEEP constante de 12 cmH2O (Grupo PEEP12, n=10) ou PEEP constante de 17 cmH2O (Grupo PEEP17, n=10) durante todo o procedimento anestésico. O grupo PEEP12 apresentou valores de pressão arterial média (PAM) e pH significativamente maiores durante todo o período após a instituição do tratamento, bem como menor consumo de dobutamina e noradrenalina para a manutenção da PAM>60 mmHg. No grupo PEEP12 houve ainda uma tendência de valores maiores de base excesso após a instituição do tratamento. Não houve diferença entre os dois grupos para os valores dos parâmetros de oxigenação no período pós anestésico. / The equine patient suffering from acute abdomen syndrome anesthesia remains one of the biggest challenges for the veterinary anesthesiologist. Despite many advances on mechanical ventilation, volemic status monitoring and critical care patient management it is still extremely difficult to achieve the balance between the best ventilation strategy to minimize the occurrence of ventilation mismatch and the optimization of cardiovascular parameters to keep blood perfusion to peripheral tissues within normal ranges. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of a stepwise increase in airway pressure recruitment and two different values of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) on ventilatory, oxygenation and hemodynamics parameters as well as vasoactive drugs consumption on horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy. Thus, twenty client-owned horses, weighing 431± 95 kg, refered to the Large Animal Surgery Service of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, at the University of São Paulo were included on the study. The animals were premedicated with xilazine (0,6mg/kg-1) and after 10 minutes the anesthesia was induced with ketamine (2,2 mg/kg-1) and diazepam (0,05 mg/kg-1). The subjects were positioned in dorsal recumbence, maintained in volume controlled mechanical ventilation, with tidal volume of 14ml/kg. After 30 min of instrumentation the recruitment maneuver (RM) was performed by PEEP titration with increments of 5 cmH2O every 5 min up to a PEEP of 20 cmH2O followed by decremental PEEP titration until 12 cmH20 (Group PEEP12, n=10) or 17 cmH2O (Group PEEP 17, n=10) until the end of surgical procedure. The Group PEEP12 had significantly higher values of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and pH for 100 minutes after the RM was performed. The animals in this group also needed less vasoactive drugs (dobutamine and noradrenaline) to keep the MAP>60mmHg during the whole anesthesia time. There was no difference between group PEEP12 a group PEEP 17 regarding oxygenation parameters 30 minutes after the anesthesia was ended.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme present in intestinal mucosa, bile, bone and renal tubule cells. Bile acids have been shown to decrease ALP activity from bone and kidney but not those from intestinal origin. This action can be mimicked in serum and peritoneal fluid samples by the use of an L-phenylalanine buffer which specifically measures intestinal ALP activity only; while the standard buffer measures total ALP activity. We sought to assess the diagnostic and prognostic relationship of intestinal and total ALP activity between serum and peritoneal fluid in 126 horses with acute colic. Blood and peritoneal fluid samples were analyzed for ALP activity using both the standard and L-phenylalanine based buffers. Neither total nor intestinal serum ALP activity was useful in classifying type or severity of intestinal damage. Total and intestinal peritoneal fluid ALP activity were lowest in horses suffering simple medical colic and non-strangulated surgical lesions, and highest in surgical cases with suspected ulceration, strangulation, peritonitis and intestinal rupture. High total and intestinal peritoneal fluid ALP activity was associated with greater intestinal damage, increased probability of surgical intervention and a worse prognosis while low total and intestinal peritoneal fluid ALP activity was unable to accurately differentiate between simple medical colics and surgical colics. The use of L-phenylalanine buffer in both serum and peritoneal fluid did not improve the sensitivity of the test. Based on these results, determination of total ALP activity in peritoneal fluid may be helpful in identifying ischemic or inflammatory bowel lesions in horses with acute colic. A portable clinical analyzer (PCA) was used for the determination of venous blood and peritoneal fluid pH value, glucose, lactate and electrolyte concentrations in a hospital setting. Blood and peritoneal fluid glucose, lactate, sodium, chloride and potassium concentrations, and pH value were determined using both a portable clinical analyzer with test cartridges and an in-house analyzer in 56 horses with acute abdominal disease. Results were compared by the Bland-Altman method of comparison and linear regression. The PCA yielded higher blood and peritoneal pH values, with greater variability in the alkaline range and lower pH values in the acidic range. The PCA glucose concentrations (<150 mg/dL) were significantly lower, and were higher in the high range (>150 mg/dL). Venous lactate concentration (<5 mmol/dL) arid peritoneal fluid lactate concentration (<2 mmol/dL) had the smallest variability. On average, the PCA underestimated peritoneal lactate and glucose concentration. Peritoneal fluid sodium and chloride concentration had higher bias and variability than venous sodium and chloride concentration. Venous and peritoneal fluid potassium concentration was closely clustered around the mean with a low bias and variability. Correlation coefficients were >0.80 for all values except venous and peritoneal sodium concentration; venous chloride concentration and venous pH value. The PCA may be suitable for point-of-care biochemical analysis of blood and peritoneal fluid for horses suffering colic and may provide further diagnostic and prognostic information. The PCA may be of help in diagnosing metabolic acidosis, uroperitoneum, septic and non-septic peritonitis and intestinal ischemia. This may be of benefit to ambulatory equine clinicians. / Graduation date: 2004

The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of first-time mothers with colic infants. Based on the results, implications for clinical practice are described for the clinical psychologist with regards to providing psychological support for these mothers. The research design is qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. Data was collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured, phenomenological interviews and a descriptive analysis was done. The results show that the real versus the imagined experience of having a baby does not meet mothers' expectations. Furthermore, a colic baby elicits numerous anxieties including anxiety about the baby being damaged/ill, the feeding and leaving the baby in the care of others. Mothers battle with feelings of failure, which may be compounded by a stressful labour/delivery. Multiple attempts to soothe the baby or find an effective treatment result in feelings of helplessness and inadequacy. In turn, hopelessness and depression result. Mothers also perceive others' making judgments about their ability as a mother, while anxiety about failure undermines their capacity to accept support. Furthermore, mothers require affirmation from their baby. Their continued search for a cure offers hope that understanding and control can be gained. However, conflicting information and advice leave them feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Moreover, mothers feel disillusioned with medical personnel and the profession. Both medical and psychological factors are perceived as possible causes of, or contributing factors to, colic, and mothers experience guilt that stressors during their pregnancy may have contributed to their babies' being colicky. In addition, colic is seen as a punishment for perceived wrongdoings during pregnancy. Given the above, mothers need a containing figure, a function fulfilled by some husbands. If their own mothers are unavailable to contain their anxieties, substitute figures are found. In addition, practical support is experienced as helpful. Regarding maternal grandmothers, mothers identify with them, resulting in a new understanding of them and of the mother-daughter relationship. They also draw on their mothers' perception of their childhood experiences as positive or negative role models of parenting. Mothers feel ambivalent regarding the baby. They exhibit empathy although they perceive the baby as demanding, intrinsically difficult or rejecting. Consequently, mothers experience feelings of rage, resulting in fears of losing control and harming or abandoning the baby. These negative feelings are perceived as impacting on empathy for and bonding with the baby and result in feelings of shame and guilt. A colic baby is a source of stress in the couple's relationship, resulting in strained marital relations. Lastly, mothers renegotiate their identity as women and mothers. Several psychological defence mechanisms are used as a means of resolving emotional conflict and anxiety, and maintaining self-esteem. Clinical implications include adopting parent-infant psychotherapy as a framework for providing psychological support for these mothers. The study concludes that the colic period is stressful, places strain on the marital relationship and may pose a risk to the parent-infant relationship and child development. Lastly, psychological based interventions should be included as a resource for these mothers. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The cestode Anoplocephala perfoliata is known to cause fatal colic in horses. The epidemiology of the cestode has rarely been evaluated in Canada. I detected A. perfoliata eggs in 4-18% of over 1000 faecal samples collected over 2 years. Worm intensity ranged from 1 to >1000 worms. Pastured horses were infected more often than non-pastured horses, especially in western Alberta, likely reflecting their higher rates of exposure to mite intermediate hosts. In a comparison of diagnostic techniques, fecal egg counts were the least accurate. Western blot analysis had the highest sensitivity to detect antibodies to the cestode (100%), but had lower specificity. A serological enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) had a lower sensitivity (70%) for detection of antibodies than described in previous studies. A coproantigen ELISA had 74% sensitivity and 92% specificity, and a positive correlation was found between antigen concentration and cestode intensity. The latter is important because it implicates the utility of this method for accurate clinical diagnosis and epidemiological studies. / viii, 70 leaves ; 29 cm.

The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of first-time mothers with colic infants. Based on the results, implications for clinical practice are described for the clinical psychologist with regards to providing psychological support for these mothers. The research design is qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. Data was collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured, phenomenological interviews and a descriptive analysis was done. The results show that the real versus the imagined experience of having a baby does not meet mothers' expectations. Furthermore, a colic baby elicits numerous anxieties including anxiety about the baby being damaged/ill, the feeding and leaving the baby in the care of others. Mothers battle with feelings of failure, which may be compounded by a stressful labour/delivery. Multiple attempts to soothe the baby or find an effective treatment result in feelings of helplessness and inadequacy. In turn, hopelessness and depression result. Mothers also perceive others' making judgments about their ability as a mother, while anxiety about failure undermines their capacity to accept support. Furthermore, mothers require affirmation from their baby. Their continued search for a cure offers hope that understanding and control can be gained. However, conflicting information and advice leave them feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Moreover, mothers feel disillusioned with medical personnel and the profession. Both medical and psychological factors are perceived as possible causes of, or contributing factors to, colic, and mothers experience guilt that stressors during their pregnancy may have contributed to their babies' being colicky. In addition, colic is seen as a punishment for perceived wrongdoings during pregnancy. Given the above, mothers need a containing figure, a function fulfilled by some husbands. If their own mothers are unavailable to contain their anxieties, substitute figures are found. In addition, practical support is experienced as helpful. Regarding maternal grandmothers, mothers identify with them, resulting in a new understanding of them and of the mother-daughter relationship. They also draw on their mothers' perception of their childhood experiences as positive or negative role models of parenting. Mothers feel ambivalent regarding the baby. They exhibit empathy although they perceive the baby as demanding, intrinsically difficult or rejecting. Consequently, mothers experience feelings of rage, resulting in fears of losing control and harming or abandoning the baby. These negative feelings are perceived as impacting on empathy for and bonding with the baby and result in feelings of shame and guilt. A colic baby is a source of stress in the couple's relationship, resulting in strained marital relations. Lastly, mothers renegotiate their identity as women and mothers. Several psychological defence mechanisms are used as a means of resolving emotional conflict and anxiety, and maintaining self-esteem. Clinical implications include adopting parent-infant psychotherapy as a framework for providing psychological support for these mothers. The study concludes that the colic period is stressful, places strain on the marital relationship and may pose a risk to the parent-infant relationship and child development. Lastly, psychological based interventions should be included as a resource for these mothers. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

A anestesia do paciente equino acometido por síndrome do abdômen agudo ainda é uma das situações mais desafiadoras enfrentada pelo médico veterinário anestesiologista na pratica clínica. Apesar dos inúmeros avanços alcançados na área de ventilação mecânica, monitoramento avançado do status volêmico e atendimento do paciente critico, o equilíbrio entre a melhor estratégia de ventilação, de modo a minimizar a ocorrência de shunt e espaço morto, e a otimização dos parâmetros de oxigenação e hemodinâmica para que a perfusão sanguínea para os tecidos periféricos seja mantida, ainda não foi determinada para cavalo afetado por síndrome cólica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o impacto de dois valores diferentes de pressão positiva ao final da expiração (PEEP) sobre os parâmetros de ventilação, oxigenação, hemodinâmica e consumo de fármacos vasopressores em equinos submetidos a laparotomia exploratória em decorrência de quadros de abdômen agudo de diferentes etiologias. Para isso foram utilizados 20 animais, sendo 12 machos e 8 fêmeas, pesando 431&#177;95 kg e encaminhados para o serviço de cirurgia de grandes animais da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia de Universidade de São Paulo (FMVZ/USP). Após avaliação pré-anestésica os animais foram pré-medicados com xilazina (0,6mg/kg-1) pela via intravenosa, decorridos 10 minutos realizou-se a indução da anestesia com cetamina (2,2mg/kg-1) associada a diazepam (0,05mg/kg-1). Os animais foram então posicionados em decúbito dorsal, mantidos em ventilação mecânica por volume controlado, com volume corrente de 14mL/kg e submetidos a manobra de recrutamento alveolar por escalonamento da PEEP, de maneira crescente a cada 5 minutos até 22 cmH2O, seguida do escalonamento decrescente, de forma que os animais foram então divididos sistematicamente em 2 grupos: PEEP constante de 12 cmH2O (Grupo PEEP12, n=10) ou PEEP constante de 17 cmH2O (Grupo PEEP17, n=10) durante todo o procedimento anestésico. O grupo PEEP12 apresentou valores de pressão arterial média (PAM) e pH significativamente maiores durante todo o período após a instituição do tratamento, bem como menor consumo de dobutamina e noradrenalina para a manutenção da PAM&gt;60 mmHg. No grupo PEEP12 houve ainda uma tendência de valores maiores de base excesso após a instituição do tratamento. Não houve diferença entre os dois grupos para os valores dos parâmetros de oxigenação no período pós anestésico. / The equine patient suffering from acute abdomen syndrome anesthesia remains one of the biggest challenges for the veterinary anesthesiologist. Despite many advances on mechanical ventilation, volemic status monitoring and critical care patient management it is still extremely difficult to achieve the balance between the best ventilation strategy to minimize the occurrence of ventilation mismatch and the optimization of cardiovascular parameters to keep blood perfusion to peripheral tissues within normal ranges. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of a stepwise increase in airway pressure recruitment and two different values of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) on ventilatory, oxygenation and hemodynamics parameters as well as vasoactive drugs consumption on horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy. Thus, twenty client-owned horses, weighing 431&#177; 95 kg, refered to the Large Animal Surgery Service of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, at the University of São Paulo were included on the study. The animals were premedicated with xilazine (0,6mg/kg-1) and after 10 minutes the anesthesia was induced with ketamine (2,2 mg/kg-1) and diazepam (0,05 mg/kg-1). The subjects were positioned in dorsal recumbence, maintained in volume controlled mechanical ventilation, with tidal volume of 14ml/kg. After 30 min of instrumentation the recruitment maneuver (RM) was performed by PEEP titration with increments of 5 cmH2O every 5 min up to a PEEP of 20 cmH2O followed by decremental PEEP titration until 12 cmH20 (Group PEEP12, n=10) or 17 cmH2O (Group PEEP 17, n=10) until the end of surgical procedure. The Group PEEP12 had significantly higher values of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and pH for 100 minutes after the RM was performed. The animals in this group also needed less vasoactive drugs (dobutamine and noradrenaline) to keep the MAP&gt;60mmHg during the whole anesthesia time. There was no difference between group PEEP12 a group PEEP 17 regarding oxygenation parameters 30 minutes after the anesthesia was ended.

Spädbarnskolik är ett vanligt förekommande problem som drabbar vart femte till vart tionde spädbarn i Skandinavien och är en vanligt förekommande orsak till att föräldrar söker sig till barnhälsovården (BHV) för hjälp. Syftet med studien var att beskriva föräldrars upplevelser av att leva med ett spädbarn som har kolik. Studien utfördes som en integrativ litteraturstudie och bygger på 12 vetenskapliga artiklar. Resultatet visade att spädbarnskolik påverkade hela familjen vars vardag ständigt växlade mellan hopp och förtvivlan. Föräldrar till barn med kolik upplevde både fysisk och psykisk påverkan på hälsan. De hade svårigheter att kontrollera sina känslor vilket kunde leda till att barnet far illa. Spädbarnskolik försvårade parrelationen, påverkade relationer inom familjen och minskade föräldrarnas sociala nätverk. Avlastning från familj och vänner, samt stöd från BHV-sjuksköterska hade stor betydelse för föräldrar. Många föräldrar upplevde dock ett bristande stöd från BHV-sjuksköterskan och önskade mer bekräftelse och ökad förståelse från BHV- sjuksköterskan för vad de upplever under spädbarnets kolikperiod. / Infant colic is a common problem that affects every fifth to tenth infant in Scandinavia and is a common reason for parents seeking to child health services for help. The aim of this study was to describe parents' experiences of living with an infant who has colic. The study was conducted as an integrative literature review based on 12 scientific articles. The results showed that infant colic affected the entire family whose living constantly alternated between hope and despair. Parents of children with colic experienced both physical and psychological impact on the health. They had difficulty controlling their emotions, which could cause the child harm. Infant colic complicated partner relationships, affected relationships within the family and reduced parents' social networks. Relief from family and friends, as well as support from the CHC-nurse was of great importance to parents. Many parents, however, felt a lack of support from the CHC-nurse and wanted more confirmation and understanding from the CHC-nurse of what they experienced during the infant's period with colic.

A cólica infantil, caracterizada por choro excessivo e inconsolável do bebê, é um problema comum no período inicial da vida, causando angústia e preocupação às mães. Apesar de ser uma manifestação comum, sua causa ainda é desconhecida. Assim, é necessário propor intervenções ao assistir as mães desses bebês, considerando as necessidades e dificuldades desta clientela no sentido de auxiliá-la a enfrentar e superar este problema. Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender a experiência materna de ter um filho com cólica no período precoce da vida. Optou-se por uma abordagem qualitativa, a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados e como referencial teórico para análise e interpretação dos dados, o Interacionismo Simbólico. O método de análise de conteúdo baseou-se em 12 discursos de mães que tinham ou tiveram filhos que sofreram de cólica no período inicial da vida e que freqüentavam o seguimento de puericultura e pediatria de um Centro de Saúde Escola, situado na zona oeste da cidade de São Paulo. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevista e observação do contexto, cuja análise permitiu compreender a experiência materna do fenômeno CONVIVENDO COM UM FILHO COM CÓLICA e a categoria central revelou-se como APRENDENDO A LIDAR COM A CÓLICA DO FILHO. O modelo teórico mostra que ter um filho com cólica é uma vivência angustiante e independe de ser mãe de primeiro filho. A compreensão da experiência materna de conviver com um filho acometido de cólica aponta para a necessidade dos profissionais reverem as práticas implementadas no manejo da cólica infantil. O acompanhamento do binômio mãe-filho por meio de atendimento de seguimento no mínimo até o terceiro mês de vida do bebê, incluindo atendimentos domiciliares e a promoção de estratégias de apoio implementadas pelos serviços de saúde podem contribuir para o estabelecimento saudável do vínculo mãe-filho. / The infantile colic, which is characterized by excessive and disconsolate baby’s cry, is a common problem during the initial period of life. It causes the mothers\' distress and worry. Although it is a common manifestation, its cause is still unknown. Then, considering these babies’ mothers’ needs and difficulties, it is necessary to propose an intervention while assisting them, in order to help them to face and overcome the problem. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of the mothers who had a baby with colic during the early period of life. The Theory Based on the Data was the qualitative approach used and the Symbolic Interaction was used as the theoretical reference to analyze and interpret the data. The method used to analyze the content was based on 12 speeches given by mothers who have or had their babies with colic during the initial period of life. These mothers attended the puerile and pediatric segment of a School Health Center located in the west zone of São Paulo city. The data were collected by interviews and observation of the context. The data analysis allowed the understanding of the maternal experience and the phenomenon is LIVING WITH A CHILD WHO HAS COLIC and the central category is LEARNING TO DEAL WITH THE CHILD’S COLIC. The theoretical model shows that having a baby with colic is a distressful experience and it does not matter if it is the mother’s first child or not. The understanding of the mother’s experience who has a child with colic points out that the professionals need to check the practices used while dealing with a child who has colic. The process of following the binomial mother-son by giving them assistance at least until the baby’s third month of life, including homecare and the promotion of supporting strategies implemented by the health services and contributing to the healthy establishment of the mother-child bond.

Dada sua complexidade e abrangência de fatores de risco, a síndrome cólica em equinos é vista como um desafio na medicina veterinária devido ao efeito grave que ela pode causar nos animais acometidos. Portanto, é vital identificar os casos que necessitam de interferência cirúrgica. A ultrassonografia abdominal tem se mostrado ser uma ferramenta de grande valia dentre os diversos métodos que auxiliam o veterinário a encontrar um diagnóstico no paciente com cólica. Tal síndrome é conhecida como uma complicação da internação, principalmente em animais com queixas no sistem locomotor. Nesse contexto, estão envolvidos o transporte, mudança de alimentação e de manejo, jejum, estresse, anestesia, sedação e restrição de exercício físico, que têm uma alta relação com a cólica. A coisa mais importante para o veterinário é reagir corretamente à complicação para evitar prejuízos futuros ao animal e ao proprietário. O presente estudo foi motivado pela alta ocorrência de cólica em animais internados em hospitais veterinários, e visou o acompanhamento ultrassonográfico do sistema gastrointestinal de cavalos internados por queixas primárias de afecção no sistema locomotor submetido ou não à atroscopia, a fim de avaliar essa farramenta como indicador precoce da síndrome cólica. Dessa forma, os animais foram divididos em dois grupos. O grupo 1 restringiu-se a animais internados para realização de artroscopia; o grupo 2, compreendeu os animais internados com queixas de claudicação grau II ou III. A ultrassonografia abdominal foi feita diariamente desde a entrada do animal ao Hospital Veterinário da USP (HOVET/USP) até o quinto dia de internação. O grupo 1 teve avaliação pré e pós-operatória para avaliação do efeito cirúrgico sobre o sistema gastrointestinal. Os resultados mostraram uma ocorrência maior de cólica em animais submetidos à cirurgia, principalmente entre o segundo e terceiro dia pós-operatório, e uma diminuição da motilidade de cólon maior e menor. Não foi observado mudanças significativas em espessura de parede de todas as alças avaliadas. A ultrassonografia não foi um indicador precoce da ocorrência de cólica, no entanto ela pôde confirmar sua origem gastrointestinal / Colic in horses presents a challenge in veterinary medicine because of its complexity, wide variety of risk factors and the serious outcome for affected animals. Colic can occur as a complication of hospitalization with increased risk in orthopedic patients, usually undergoing general anesthesia. Abdominal ultrasound has proven to be a valuable tool among the various methods that help the veterinarian to find a diagnosis in patients with colic, but the use of abdominal ultrasound for prediction or early detection of colic has not yet been fully explored. This study used serial sonographic examinations in horses hospitalized for orthopedic conditions, submitted and not submitted to arthroscopy in order to evaluate it as a tool for early detection of colic. 40 horses were divided into two groups of 20 animals. Group 1 consisted of horses admitted to the hospital for surgical management under general anesthesia. Group 2 comprised horses admitted to the hospital for medically managed orthopedic cases. Group 1 consisted of horses admitted to the hospital for surgical management under general anesthesia. Group 2 comprised horses admitted to the hospital for medically managed orthopedic cases. Group 1 consisted of horses admitted to the hospital for orthopedic surgery. Group 2 comprised horses admitted to the hospital for medically managed orthopedic cases. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed daily from admission to fifth day of hospitalization. Group 1 animals also had pre- and post-operative ultrasonographic evaluation to assess the effect of surgery on the gastrointestinal system. Ultrasonography was not successful at early detection of colic in any animal. The results also showed a higher incidence of colic in animals undergoing surgery (with no statistical difference), particularly on the second or third day postoperative, as well as a reduction in both large and small colon motility in animals undergoing surgery. No significant changes in wall thickness of the evaluated loops were observed. In conclusion, ultrasonographic examination could not successfully predict colic but was useful for confirmation of gastrointestinal originof clinical symptoms during the examination of affected animals

Na região Amazônica do Norte do Brasil, Panicum maximum cultivares Mombaça, Tanzânia e Massai causam cólica severa e morte durante o período chuvoso quando os pastos em brotação são pastejados pelos equídeos. Em oito surtos estudados, um total de 52 de 153 equídeos adoeceram e 19 morreram (10 mulas e 9 cavalos). Os sinais clínicos foram de cólica e dilatação abdominal e os sinais clínicos variaram de 12 horas a 4 dias. As atividades séricas de gama glutamiltransferase e aspartato aminotransferase estavam em níveis normais e os valores séricos de uréia e creatinina se mostravam elevados esporadicamente. Os principais achados macroscópicos e microscópicos observados foram no sistema digestivo. O estômago, intestino delgado e grosso apresentavam hemorragia severa, ulcerações e erosões da mucosa. Ao exame histológico foram observadas gastrite linfoplasmocitária difusa e enterite com congestão severa e hemorragias, e ocasionalmente necrose epitelial e ulceração. Necrose linfocítica do tecido linfóide associada ao intestino foi observada ocasionalmente. Nefrose tubular ocorreu em alguns animais. Em relação à etiologia da doença, nos estudos dos surtos foram pesquisadas três causas prováveis: intoxicação por saponinas contidas nas pastagens; intoxicação por esporidesmina produzida por Pithomyces chartarum; e intoxicação por cantaridina produzida por Epicauta spp. Os pastos foram negativos para as saponinas diosgenina e yamosgenina, os níveis de oxalato estavam dentro da normalidade para a espécie e não foram encontrados besouros do gênero Epicauta na pastagem. Foram realizados 3 experimentos com Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça em brotação. No experimento 1, realizado na época de seca, dez animais receberam no cocho durante 40 dias o capim em brotação recém cortado sem adoecer. No experimento 2, realizado na época de chuvas, outros 10 animais receberam capim recém cortado em brotação no cocho. Adoeceram dois animais, um no 5º dia e outro no 11º dia de experimento com sinais clínicos de cólica sendo retirados do experimento. No experimento 3, também durante a época de chuvas, com o capim em brotação, os mesmos 10 animais foram separados em dois grupos de 5, um grupo recebia capim recém cortado e o outro recebia o capim cortado, dessecado à sombra durante 24 horas antes da administração. No experimento 3, no grupo que recebia o capim coletado com 24 horas de antecedência, um animal adoeceu no 13º dia de experimento e também foi retirado do experimento. Foram realizadas análises bromatológicas nas amostras de P. maximum cv. Mombaça e Tanzânia aos 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias de crescimento vegetativo para verificar os valores de carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF). Os valores médios de CNF encontrados nas 36 amostras das pastagens aos 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias foram de 19,15, 19,36, 10,61 e 12,90%, respectivamente. Esses valores são mais do que o dobro do observado em pastagens de P. maximum em outras regiões do Brasil, indicando que as cólicas causadas por P. maximum na região Amazônica poderiam estar ligadas à grande concentração de CNF durante a época de chuvas, causando distúrbios fermentativos, com produção de gás e cólicas. / In the Amazon region of northern Brazil, Panicum maximum cultivars Mombaça, Tanzania, and Massai cause severe colic and death in horses and mules. The disease occurs in the rainy season, when sprouting pastures are grazed by equidae. In the 8 separate disease outbreaks studied, a total of 52 out of 153 equidae were affected, including 19 that died (10 mules and 9 horses). Clinical signs were colic and abdominal dilatation, with a clinical manifestation period of 12 hr to 4 days. Serum activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase and aspartate aminotransferase were within reference intervals; however, serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations were occasionally elevated. The primary gross and histologic lesions were observed in the digestive system. The stomach, small intestine, and large intestine had severe hemorrhages and mucosal erosions and ulcerations. Histologic examination revealed diffuse lymphoplasmacytic gastritis and enteritis with severe congestion, hemorrhage, and occasional epithelial necrosis and ulceration. Lymphocellular necrosis was occasionally observed within gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Tubular nephrosis occurred in some animals. In the outbreaks the toxic pastures were negative for diosgenin- and yamogenin-based saponins, and oxalate concentrations were within reference intervals for the species. Epicauta spp was not found in the pastures. Three experiments were performed with growing Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça in penned horses. In Experiment 1, performed during the dry season, 10 horses were fed with sprouting P. maximum immediately after collection during 40 days, without showing clinical signs. In Experiment 2, performed during the raining season, other 10 horses were fed with recently harvested sprouting P. maximum. Two horses showed colic on the 5th and 11th days after the start of the ingestion. The other animals showed dilated abdomen due to gas production. In Experiment 3, also during the raining season the same 10 horses used in experiment 2 were divided in two groups of 5 horses each. Group 1 received P. maximum immediately after harvesting, and Group 2 received the Grass 24 hours after harvesting. One horse from group 2 showed colic on day 13th after the start of feeding. Nutritional analysis was performed in pastures of P. maximum cv Tanzania causing colic and in the pastures of P. maximum cv Mombaça used for Experiments 2 and 3. The pastures were examined at the start of the raining season, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after been cut. Mean concentrations of non structural carbohydrates (NSC) in 36 samples at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of regrowth were 19.15%, 19.36%, 10.61% and 12,9%, respectively. The concentrations of NSC at 15 days after cutting were more than twice the concentrations reported in other Brazilian regions, suggesting that colic in horses in P. maximum pastures, in the Northern (Amazon) region are due to high concentrations of non NSC during growing of the pastures on the raining season, causing a fermentative disturb followed by gas production, abdominal dilatation and colic.