Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Neoplasia, Tumor or Cancer, Intestine
Summary
Cancer usually affects the intestine in one of two ways. Infiltrative intestinal disease, wherein cancer cells crowd out the normal functional cells of the intestine, interferes with digestion and absorption, causing weight loss and sometimes diarrhea. Cancer can also appear as single or multiple masses that mechanically block the intestine, causing colic and obstruction.
The most common infiltrative cancer in the horse is intestinal lymphosarcoma. The most common mass blocking the intestine is melanoma in gray horses. Beyond that, the only way to confirm a diagnosis of a particular type of cancer (and determine treatment and prognosis) is through biopsy.
In most cases, the affected intestine can only be accessed for biopsy using abdominal surgery, although in some cases, rectal biopsy can be helpful diagnostically. If abnormal intestine or a mass is visible via ultrasound, then ultrasound guided biopsy may be possible.
The most common infiltrative cancer in the horse is intestinal lymphosarcoma. The most common mass blocking the intestine is melanoma in gray horses. Beyond that, the only way to confirm a diagnosis of a particular type of cancer (and determine treatment and prognosis) is through biopsy.
In most cases, the affected intestine can only be accessed for biopsy using abdominal surgery, although in some cases, rectal biopsy can be helpful diagnostically. If abnormal intestine or a mass is visible via ultrasound, then ultrasound guided biopsy may be possible.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Very Common
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Generally, most cases of intestinal cancer have a poor prognosis. The treatment and prognosis depends on the specific diagnosis.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.