1110 Scientific Reports JAVMA, Vol 239, No. 8, October 15, 2011 EQUINE T hirteen equids were initially examined from Octo- ber 2001 to November 2008 for signs of colic (n = 7), weight loss (6), anorexia (3), or diarrhea (2). Colic signs were classified as either mild (n = 3) or severe (4). Duration of clinical signs ranged from 5 hours (colic) to 6 weeks (recurrent diarrhea). One horse, a 10-year-old Quarter Horse stallion, had a 3-week his- tory of weight loss despite a normal appetite, general- ized muscle wasting, and elevated digital arterial pulse strength in the forelimbs. Equids were admitted to hos- pitals at the University of Georgia (n = 6), Oklahoma State University (3), Marion duPont Scott Equine Med- ical Center (2), Auburn University (1), and the Uni- versity of Missouri (1). There were 8 geldings, 4 mares, and 1 stallion. Age ranged from 1 to 18 years (median, 6 years). Equids represented included Quarter Horse Gastric and enteric phytobezoars caused by ingestion of persimmon in equids Heidi E. Banse, DVM; Lyndi L. Gilliam, DVM; Amanda M. House, DVM; Harold C. McKenzie, DVM, MS; Philip J. Johnson, BVSc, MS; Marco A. F. Lopes, MV, PhD; Robert J. Carmichael, DVM; Erin S. Groover, DVM; Alison M. LaCarrubba, DVM; Melanie A. Breshears, DVM, PhD; Margaret M. Brosnahan, DVM; Rebecca Funk, DVM; Todd C. Holbrook, DVM Case Description—13 equids (10 horses, 2 donkeys, and 1 pony) were examined for signs of colic (n = 7), weight loss (6), anorexia (3), and diarrhea (2). Ten equids were evaluated in the fall (September to November). Seven equids had a history of persimmon ingestion. Clinical Findings—A diagnosis of phytobezoar caused by persimmon ingestion was made for all equids. Eight equids had gastric persimmon phytobezoars; 5 had enteric persimmon phytobezoars. Gastroscopy or gastroduodenoscopy revealed evidence of persimmon inges- tion in 8 of 10 equids in which these procedures were performed. Treatment and Outcome—2 of 13 equids were euthanatized prior to treatment. Support- ive care was instituted in 11 of 13 equids, including IV administration of fluids (n = 8) and treatment with antimicrobials (5), NSAIDs (5), and gastric acid suppressants (4). Persim- mon phytobezoar–specific treatments included dietary modification to a pelleted feed (n = 8); oral or nasogastric administration of cola or diet cola (4), cellulase (2), or mineral oil (2); surgery (4); and intrapersimmon phytobezoar injections with acetylcysteine (1). Medical treatment in 5 of 7 equids resulted in resolution of gastric persimmon phytobezoars. Seven of 8 equids with gastric persimmon phytobezoars and 1 of 5 equids with enteric persimmon phytobezoars survived > 1 year after hospital discharge. Clinical Relevance—Historical knowledge of persimmon ingestion in equids with gastro- intestinal disease warrants gastroduodenoscopy for evaluation of the presence of persim- mon phytobezoars. In equids with gastric persimmon phytobezoars, medical management (including administration of cola or diet cola and dietary modification to a pelleted feed) may allow for persimmon phytobezoar dissolution. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2011;239:1110–1116) (n = 4), American Paint Horse (2), donkey (2), Appa- loosa (1), Haflinger (1), Tennessee Walking Horse (1), Thoroughbred crossbred horse (1), and pony (1). Ten equids were evaluated in fall (September to November), 2 were evaluated during winter (December to January), and 1 was evaluated in spring (March). In 7 equids, a history of access to persimmon was reported at the time of admission; all of these equids were evaluated in fall (September to October). Physical examination abnormalities at the time of admission included tachycardia (> 48 beats/min) in 5 equids and tachypnea (> 20 breaths/min) in 3 equids. Mild increases in rectal temperature (ie, fever) were noted at admission in 3 equids (38.4º to 38.7ºC [101.2º to 101.7ºF]; median, 38.7ºC). Three equids had > 2 L of gastric reflux upon passage of a nasogastric tube From the Departments of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Banse, Gilliam, Carmichael, Brosnahan, Funk, Holbrook) and Veterinary Pathobiology (Breshears), College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078; the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32160 (House); Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia- Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Leesburg, VA 20176 (McKenzie); the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211 (Johnson, LaCarruba); the Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 (Lopes); and the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 (Groover). Dr. Banse’s present address is Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078. Dr. Brosnahan’s present address is Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. Dr. Funk’s present address is Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060. Presented in abstract form at the 55th Annual American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, Las Vegas, December 2009. Address correspondence to Dr. Banse (heidi.banse@okstate.edu).