Ruptured stomach

[TURBOBERT]

A friend recently lost a horse with this. Started to colic . Vet thought something going on inside when didnt rally to treatment - opened him up to find this - he was put to sleep. All very distressing. What causes it do you know? He was very well and fit.

 

[PapaFrita]

Worms perhaps?

 

[TURBOBERT]

Interesting thought - but not likely I dont think - very well looked after. I dont like to ask her what the vet said .........

 

[PapaFrita]

Hmmm. Perhaps it ate a thorn or something that damaged the stomach wall. Apparently horses will sometimes swallow plaiting needles

OR perhaps stomach damaged/weakened by a kick from another horse which then ruptured due to colic (especially if there was swelling from, for instance, gases)

 

[Patches]

what about stomach ulcers...in humans they can eat through the stomach wall, is this not possible in horses?

 

[PapaFrita]

Ah! Very good suggestion!

 

[GTs]

Dilation from gas is the most likely cause (this will happened normally because of other problems in the small intestine, or impaction of the stomach.

No one knows the time frame of repturing, which is why it is imperative to get a horse not responding to pain medicine to the hospital as quickly as possible - once it has ruptured there is nothing anyone can do.

 

[GreedyGuts]

Dilation from fluid due to impaired emptying of the stomach is the most likely cause. It can be an outcome of obstruction of the small intestine if a nasogastric tube is not passed to relieve the pressure. After the stomach ruptures horses may appear more comfortable due to the relief of pressure, but then rapidly deteriorate. At this stage treatment is hopeless.
Stomach ulcers have also been implicated.

 

[TURBOBERT]

Interesting - thank you all for that.