Jean-Yin Tan*, Hanna Haardt, Soren Boysen, Alfredo Romero
Colic, a prevalent condition in horses, poses a significant threat with a high incidence rate and is a leading cause of equine mortality. Abdominal ultrasonography is vital for evaluating gastrointestinal health, traditionally performed with an abdominal transducer. However, limited access to this equipment prompts the common use of trans rectal transducers, traditionally reserved for reproductive examinations. This study compares the two transducers in organ identification and abnormality detection during transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonography. The pilot project assesses organ identification in clinically healthy horses, revealing comparable results with a depth limitation affecting certain organs. Subsequently, the study examines horses with colic, employing a fast localized abdominal ultrasonography protocol. Results indicate no significant differences in detecting free fluid, small intestinal abnormalities, or colon wall pathology. However, the transrectal transducer is less effective in identifying the left kidney and stomach. These findings suggest that the readily available trans rectal transducer is a viable option for abdominal ultrasonography in horses, offering crucial insights for equine colic diagnosis and decision-making in the field. Colic is a prevalent condition in horses, ranking as a leading cause of equine mortality. Abdominal ultrasonography is crucial for assessing gastrointestinal health, yet the availability of suitable transducers in primary care equine practice is limited. This study aims to compare the efficacy of trans rectal and abdominal transducers in organ identification and abnormality detection during transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonography.
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