Colitis X
Basic Information 
Epidemiology
Physical Exam Findings
• Severe depression to obtundation or severe, intractable colic.
• Pyrexia is common, but hypothermia may be present in terminal cardiovascular collapse.
• Red to purple mucous membranes and dramatically prolonged capillary refill time.
• Mild to severe abdominal distension.
• Decreased to absent gastrointestinal borborygmi.
• Severe (± hemorrhagic) diarrhea, soft feces, or scant manure may be noted.
• Rectal examination usually reveals edema in the rectum and colon wall. Occasionally, large colonic gas distension may be present.
Etiology and Pathophysiology
• The cause of colitis X is unknown, although an infectious or toxic cause is suspected.
• The severe colonic edema and mucosal damage observed in horses with colitis X is believed to be a specific organ manifestation of anaphylaxis in response to an unknown antigen.
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