title: Equine gastrointestinal motility--ileus and pharmacological modification.
abstract: Colic is a common problem encountered in equine practice. Alteration of gastrointestinal motility is often the underlying cause for abdominal pain. Gastrointestinal motility can be measured as myoelectric activity, mechanical activity, and transit of intraluminal contents. Regulation of motility is based on a complex interaction between central innervation, autonomic innervation, and the enteric nervous system. Various humoral and neurochemical substances are required to interact flawlessly to allow propulsive motility. Ileus is defined as the absence of propulsive aboral movement of gastrointestinal contents, irrespective of its pathophysiology. Potential etiologies for ileus are described in this review. The prokinetic drugs available for clinical use are discussed. Choosing the appropriate prokinetic drug requires knowledge about the complex nature of gastrointestinal motility and its abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1. jkoenig@ovc.uoguelph.ca
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cote
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D003085:Colic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D006736:Horses; D045823:Ileus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents