ABSTRACT
Monitoring treatment is an essential part of the overall management of horses affected by a wide variety of abdominal conditions. Careful monitoring of gastrointestinal function is important so that the response to therapy can be assessed, and any derangements or deteriorations of gastrointestinal function can be identified and supportive therapy instituted rapidly. The critically ill patient may develop abnormalities and dysfunction of many organ systems in addition to the system affected by the primary disease. The result can be multiorgan dysfunction, and ultimately multiorgan failure, which is invariably fatal. It is important, therefore, that monitoring allow assessment of the function of all major organ systems and not just gastrointestinal function. This monitoring includes repeated physical examinations, monitoring of temperature, pulse and respiratory rates, and assessment of clinical pathologic data.
