Intestinal tympany
Intestinal tympany causes distension of the abdomen and severe abdominal pain and is sometimes accompanied by the passage of much flatus.Etiology: 1- Occur secondary to obstruction of the intestinal lumen. 2- Tympany of small intestine: are caused by: a) Acute intestinal obstruction. b) Constricting adhesions from perforated gastric ulcer or ilio-caecal valve impaction. 3- Tympany of large intestine: Primary causes: ingestion of large quantities of highly fermentable green pasture, spoiled or mouldy food or atony of the bowl. Secondary causes: are caused by acute intestinal obstruction or stenosis (Veminous aneurysm-fibrous tissue formation).
Clinical findings: 1- Abdominal distension and the distended loops may be visible through the abdominal wall in
thin animals. 2- Pain is acute & continuous, pawing violently and the horse lies down very carefully. 3- Peristaltic sounds are reduced, but fluids may be heard moving in gas-filled loops producing tinkling and metallic sound. 4- rectal exam reveals gas-filled loops of intestine. 5-In primary tympanitis much flatus is passed and the anus may be in a state of continuous dilatation.
D. Diagnosis: 1- Primary tympany is always difficult to differentiate from secondary tympany. But the presence of faeces, flatus and the history of engorgement on lush pasture .
2- Primary tympany involves nearly the whole of the tract. 3- Tympany due to obstruction terminate fatally in a short time.
Treatment: 1- Differentiate between primary and secondary tympanitis. 2- Sedatives: i/v injection of Novalgin50%. 3- In primary tympany the administration of carminatives and intestinal stimulants are useful. It is given in the form of an oral mixture of ammonium carbonate & charcoal in equal quantities dissolved in water. 4- External abdominal massage, also through the rectum may stimulate the peristalsis. Soft soap enema has the same action. 5- Intestinal Antiferment suppresses the formation of gas as follow: Carbolic acid (Sol 2%) 200.00 or formaline solution (10-20 ml) dissolved in 2 liters water to be given orally. OR Mineral oil (1/2 - 1 gallon) containing oil of turpentine (30- 60 ml), formalin (30 ml) or chloroform (30 ml). 6- In severe cases trocarization with a long small-caliber, intestinal trocar and cannula may be necessary. This can be performed per rectum or through the upper right or left flank depending on the site of maximum distension. 7- In secondary tympany, permanent relief can be obtained only by correction of the obstruction.