Equine emergency surgery and peri-operative care Flashcards
(33 cards)
What are procedures maybe considered an emergency in the horse?
Colics
Lacerations
Dystocia
What history should you take from a colic horse?
How long have the symptoms being occuring? How serious are the symptoms Previous colic Previous response Previous medication Previous surgery Previous foal Breed age geography
What should you look for in a clinical exam on a horse that has colic||?
Abdominal discomfort Cardio vascular Heart rate temperature ears/feet pulse quality mucous membranes Temperature Respiratory rate Abdominal distension Gastrointestinal sounds rectal exam ultrasound abdominocentesis
What do you need to prepare for a colic?
Sedation NSAIDs Stethoscope clippers sterile prep solution nasogastric tube and buckets rectal sleeve and lubricant ultrasound machine
What are the two types of colic?
True colic (GI tract) False colic (UTI, Kidney infections, respiratory system)
How do you prepare a patient that comes in with colic?
catheter sedation analgesia fluids clip abdomen pass nasogastric tube
How should you prepare the operating theatre for a colic?
Two tables clean and contaminated Ensure all equipment there and working clippers urinary catheter prep solution fluids standard set positioning of the horse – CMC (carboxymethylcellulose)
What instruments do you need to prepare for surgery on the small intestine in the horse?
Doyen clamps penrose drains separate drapes suture material fluids for lavage staples fresh clean table with new instruments
What instruments do you need to prepare for surgery on the large intestine of the horse?
Colon tray drapes separate table hose with tap water for lavage sterile fluids for lavage
What are the two types of colic and there corresponsing post-operative care?
systemically compromised
-icu, endotoxemia, illeau, anostomosis not functional)
Systemically healthy
Systemic antibiotics and pain medication gradual re-feeding
What should you monitor post-operatively after colic surgery?
Gut sounds MM, CRT HR, pulse quality Resp rate Temperature appetite faceal/urine output Hydration status-pcv/TS/USG Nasogastric reflux (5L/hr) Comfort (laminitis, colic) Incision discharge, swelling , pain abdominal bandage may be necessary
How often should you preform a physical exam on a colic horse?
4-6 hours
How often should you monitor TS/PCV/USG in a post-operative colic horse?
4-6 hours
What must you include in the post-operative care regime of a colic horse?
Walking
gradual re-feeding
Why are distal limb wounds challenging to care for in a horse?
Lack of blood supply difficult to immobilise exposure of bone severe contamination extensive crushing less skin to mobilize More likely to dehisce
Why can distal limb wounds be of concern in the horse?
Can involve synovial structures
poor prognosis
must examine the wound thoroughly
How should a distal limb wound in the horse be managed?
Cleansing exploration radiographs involvement synovial structures? Debridement Suture or not Antimicrobials tendon injuries considerations with specific locations
How should you cleanse a horses wound?
Clip the area place intracyte in the wound so as to prevent any further contamination
Irrigate with sterile saline
use of povidone idoine or chloerhexidine to clean the wound
When should you take radiographs of a horses wound?
Before surgery
determines if any foreign body
any further damage (Fractures/subluxations)
Do not place needle in synovial structures before radiographs have been taken
Why is it dangerous to have synovial structures involved in a horses distal limb wound?
Septic joint
infection establishes quickly (6-8 hours)
Chronic injuries if not recognised
What equipment should you prepare for a horse coming in with a wound?
Clippers Sterile saline Hibi scrub Probe Bandage material X-ray equipment catheter Analgesia Antimicrobials sedation gloves
What are the normal stages of giving birth in the horse?
Stage one Restlessness, pawing, posture to urinate Relaxation cervix and uterine contractions Stage two (10-15 min, range 10-70 min) Onset rupture of chorioallantosis complete with delivery of the foal Stage three (3hrs) Passing of the fetal membranes
What is the main reason for Dystocia in the horse?
Maldisposition of the foal
If stage two during labour in the horse is longer than 30 minuets what increases in likelihood?
for every additional 10 minutes the liklihood of the foal dying increases by 16%
