Colic in Horses

How is colic defined?

generic term for pain in the abdominal cavity

List the clinical signs of colic.

• sweating

• pawing

• kicking at belly

• looking at flanks

• curling lip

• laying down

• getting up & down

• rolling

• thrashing

List the clinical findings of colic.

• increased HR

• increased RR

• mucous membrane → pale to brick red, toxic line may be present

• CRT → normal or prolonged

What does ileus mean?

a complete lack of sounds in all 4 quadrants

List the actions when suspecting colic.

1. contact veterinarian

2. remove all feed

3. monitor vital signs

4. prevent rolling

5. collect & save any manure passed

6. walk horse during uncomfortable bouts → walk 20 mins & stand 20 mins

What does a rectal palpation help to determine when diagnosing colic?

• underlying cause

• severity

• course of action

Why is passing a nasogastric tube beneficial for a horse with colic?

Helps to check for:

• gas

• odor

• reflux

When passing a nasogastric tube and checking for reflux, what does spontaneous reflux indicate?

not good → potential obstruction in small intestine

What is an abdominocentesis?

belly tap → recovering fluid from abdominal cavity that reflects the health of the GI tract

What is the purpose of a fecal sample collection on a colic horse?

• parasite examination

• microscopic examination → chemicals and cultures present

• evaluate for presence of sand

How much sand is too much in the digestive tract?

> ½ tsp

When is medical management appropriate when treating colic?

• mild clinical signs

• HR <60bpm

• no reflux

• fair to good gut sounds

• pain resolves with NSAIDs

What type of NSAID is best for treating colic?

Banamine (Flunixin meglumine)

What is Buscopan? What role does it play in with a horse with colic?

breaks up gas in the gut → reduces wave-like contractions of the GI tract

What is Phenylephrine? What role does it play in with a horse with colic?

contracts the spleen → allows bloodflow to the abdomen

When is surgical management indicated to treat colic?

• severe clinical signs

• HR >60

• poor to absent gut sounds

• reflux present

• dislocation or twist suspected based on palpation

• dark MM or toxic line

• abnormal belly tap

• unresolving pain

Why is it that horses who have undergone colic surgery are considered high risk for recurrence for at least the first year following surgery?

• intestinal scarring

• fibrous adhesions

• intestinal trauma

• ischemia → decreased blood flow

• infection

List the possible complications for post-op of a colic sx.

• infection

• bleeding

• dehiscence

• ileus

• metabolic acidosis

What is the most underlying cause for colic?

feed impaction

How can feed impaction be prevented?

• forages!!

• provide unlimited water

• regular movement

What is a large colon displacement?

large colon shifts out of normal position within abdomen

What is a large colon volvulus?

large colon twists around itself

What is a strangulating lipoma?

fatty tumor that grows in abdomen and can strangle intestine

What is an enterolith?

mineral concentration, or small stone that forms within the intestinal tract

What is a gastric dilation & rupture?

caused by grain overload

What is nephrosplenic entrapment?

left dorsal colon becomes trapped in the nephrosplenic space

What is a small intestinal torsion?

section of small intestine twists on itself, cutting off blood flow

What is intussusception?

bowel obstruction where section of small intestine telescopes into another

Once a toxic line has formed, where are the toxins going to in the horse?

laminae → causes laminitis

In what situations can mineral oil be used in with horses?

• ingestion of toxins

• colic

What color is healthy abdominal fluid from a belly tap?

straw/hay

Outcome of a colic surgery depends on what?

• underlying cause

• how much bowel is compromised