Anterior Enteritis (AE) is an inflammatory disease of the small bowel of horses that causes colic and toxic shock. Recently the term duodenitis and proximal jejunitis has been substituted for anterior enteritis. Because of the severe pain and toxic-shock it often appears as a displaced bowel requiring surgery when medical therapy is best. In fact horses with AE often cannot survive surgery therefore it should be considered in all cases of colic and progressive shock. Fortunately there are some characteristics that help differentiate it from surgical colics.

AE used to be a common inflammatory disease of the small bowel and though the incidence seems to be declining it still remains a fairly common cause of colic case referral to larger equine hospitals where more aggressive therapy can be instituted. This article discusses the symptoms, diagnosis, causes, treatment, and prognosis of Anterior Enteritis in horses.