Colic in Horses Flashcards
Broadly, what are the types of colic?
Those due to GI viscus: -spasmodic/gas build up -impaction -displacement -strangulation Extra GI viscus -Liver -Urogenital
Are the clinical signs of colic diagnostic of abdominal pain?
No many things e.g. laminitis, nuerologic disease, botulism may cause a horse to become recumbant.
What are the clinical signs of colic?
Incessant pawing
Trying to go down/recumbancy
Rolling
Abrasions (may indicate rolling)
Muscle fasciculations Looking at flanks Restlessness Kicking at abdomen Sweating (severe)
What can cause colic?
Spasmodic/gas -motility disorder -dietary changes -parasites Impaction Displacement Strangulation Ulcers
What is the main aim of colic diagnosis?
Why is the decision important?
It is very difficult to determine an exact cause of colic. The main decision that needs to be made is whether the horse needs referral/surgery/can be treated in the field.
Important is that surgical cases prognosis is directly related to time to surgery
How can colic be worked up?
History
Physical Exam
(Nasogastric Tube)
Other:
- Rectal Exam
- Abdominocentesis
- Ultrasound
- Clinical pathology
What needs to be done on arrival?
Observe from a distance to see if IMMEDIATE treatment is required.
What history should be obtained in a colic case?
Age/Signalment Time of onset Degree shown - may need specific questions Treatments? Previous colic Last faeces? Management Worming
What should be focused on if the physical exam needs to be abbreviated?
Demeanour/signs of pain TPR GI Borborygmi (gut sounds) CV status (Abdominal distension)
If the horse has a high temperature what might this suggest?
Some sort of inflammatory lesion e.g. enteritis, colitis
What does higher HR suggest in colicky horses? Is this the same for resp rate?
Higher = more severe. Resp rate is a less consistent indicator of this.
What does GI borborygmi give an indication of?
How else can gut sounds be assessed?
Gut motility
Can ping the abdomen, not as good as in the cow but would indicate gas distension
How can abdominal distension be assesed? What does it indicate?
Look at paralumbar fossa
Ask owner - be careful not to lead
May indicate an LI problem.
If MMs are very red what does this suggest?
Rupture
Why is passing a NGT considered as important?
It allows to see if there is gastric distension (lesion location SI/LI). If there is then can relieve this, if don’t do this then stomach can rupture which is fatal!
