📸 Vet Tech 2025: Exploring the Equine Gut with a Capsule Camera 🐴🧠

Author: Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases are a leading cause of illness in horses—but examining the entire digestive tract has long been a challenge. Traditional endoscopy is limited to the stomach and part of the small intestine or colon. But now, with the advent of capsule camera technology, equine veterinarians can safely view much more of the horse’s intestinal tract without surgery. 📷🐎

🔍 What Is a Capsule Camera?

The technology involves a tiny, one-inch capsule with a built-in camera. Once administered, the capsule travels through the GI tract, transmitting real-time images wirelessly to an external computer. 💻

• 🧠 Originally used in human medicine
• 🐶 Successfully tested in dogs
• 🐴 Now being introduced for horses

🧪 How the Procedure Works

Preparation and administration steps include:

• 🥣 Withhold feed for 24 hours
• 🚱 Withhold water for 12 hours
• 📦 Capsule is placed into the stomach via nasogastric tube
• 🍽️ Feed is reintroduced shortly after to stimulate GI movement

The battery lasts about 20 hours, which limits the imaging window. The capsule is later recovered from the manure and can be reused. 🧼

📍 What the Capsule Can and Can’t See

This advanced camera is capable of imaging most of the small intestine and parts of the upper digestive system, but it cannot access:

• ❌ The cecum
• ❌ The large colon

However, ulcers, inflammation, and other abnormalities in the small intestine—a common blind spot—can now be detected without surgery. 🩺🔬

✅ Advantages of Capsule Endoscopy

• 📷 Non-invasive GI imaging
• 🚫 No need for general anesthesia
• 🧠 Helpful for unexplained chronic colic or weight loss
• 💊 May reduce need for exploratory surgery

⚠️ Considerations and Limitations

• ⏳ GI motility affects how much of the tract is imaged
• 🪙 Cost and capsule loss are rare but possible issues
• 📉 Withholding feed too long may slow gut movement

🧠 Dr Duncan Houston’s Insight

"This is a game-changing tool for equine medicine—allowing us to examine parts of the gut that have been out of reach until now." 🐴📸

📋 When to Ask Your Vet About Capsule Imaging

Consider capsule endoscopy if your horse has:

• 📉 Chronic weight loss
• 🔁 Intermittent colic with no diagnosis
• 💩 Unexplained diarrhea or bloating

Your vet will determine if this is an appropriate tool based on symptoms and other test results. 🧬

🔚 Final Word: A Safer View Inside

With capsule camera technology, we can now explore the equine small intestine without surgical intervention. It’s a powerful tool for diagnosing hidden GI issues and improving long-term care for horses. 🐎❤️

Want to learn more about diagnostic options for your horse’s digestive health? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app for direct veterinary support. 📱🔬