Colic Diagnosis - History

A thorough history is always taken, starting with the signalment (age, sex, breed). The history can be broken into an early history and a recent history. It is an important first step in determining the cause of the colic.

Early History

• Has there been any recent changes in management (feeding/diet changes, water,recent box rest, deworming, medication, exercise routine, breeding, pregnancy)?
• Has the horse ever had any previous episodes of colic?
• How long since the onset of clinical signs? This has a profound impact on prognosis, and the type of treatment that will be undertaken.
• Is the horse eating and drinking normally?
• Does the horse drop food any food from its mouth during eating?
• Does the horse salivate excessively when eating?
• Has the horse made normal faeces or had any diarrhoea?
• What is the vaccination, deworming and dental prophylaxis of this and other animals at the yard?
• Are any other horses on the yard showing similar signs?
• Does the horse live outdoors or stabled?
• Does the horse live in an environment with much sand?

Recent History

• When was the horse last seen normal?
• Is there evidence of abdominal pain?
• Is there evidence of weight loss?
• When did the horse last defecate?
• What signs has the horse shown (flank watching,pawing,rolling, kicking at abdomen) and has it changed?
• Has the horse received any treatment and how has it responded?

References

• Edwards B. (2009), Diagnosis and Pathophysiology of Intestinal Obstruction, in Equine Gastroenterology courtesy of the University of Liverpool, pp 7
• Meuller E, Moore J. N, (2008) Classification and Pathophysiology of Colic, Gastrointestinal Emergencies and Other Causes of Colic, in Equine Emergencies- Treatments and Procedures, 3rd Edition, Eds Orsini J. A, Divers T.J, Saunders Elsevier, pp 107
• Rose R.J, Hodgson D.R (2000) Examination of the Alimentary Tract, Alimentary Tract, Manual of Equine Practice, 2nd Edition, Saunders Elsevier, pp 273