USE OF BETHANECHOL AND METOCLOPRAMIDE IN HORSES WITH DUODENITIS PROXIMAL JEJUNITIS - 13 CASES (1987-1993)

All horses diagnosed with duodenitis/proximal jejunitis (DPJ) at the T exas Veterinary Medical Center between January 1, 1987 and July 1, 199 3 were included in a retrospective study to evaluate the therapeutic a nd prognostic value of bethanechol and metoclopramide as gastrointesti nal prokinetic drugs in horses with DPJ treated at our clinic, and to compare the clinical outcome of horses with DPJ treated with these dru gs and those with DPJ that were not treated. During the study period, 70 horses diagnosed with DPJ were admitted to the clinic. Of these 70 horses, 18 (25.7%) were treated with bethanechol, metoclopramide, or b oth; 13 of the 18 treated horses received more than one dose of either drug. No adverse effects of treatment with these drugs were noted, A precise therapeutic plan and clinical benefit of bethanechol, metoclop ramide, or both could not be determined from this retrospective study. The use of these gastrointestinal prokinetic drugs in horses with DPJ appeared to have prognostic value. Horses that did not respond to tre atment with these gastrointestinal prokinetic drugs within 24 hours we re not discharged alive.