Changes

Conditions affecting the liver, kidneys and pancreas may be causing the abdominal pain, ''i.e.'' ‘false colic’. If these occur concurrently with a gastrointestinal crisis then the blood results may influence the prognosis. In horses with colic, packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma protein are used to assess hydration of the patient. The reliability of these parameters for

Conditions affecting the liver, kidneys and pancreas may be causing the abdominal pain, ''i.e.'' ‘false colic’. If these occur concurrently with a gastrointestinal crisis then the blood results may influence the prognosis. In horses with colic, packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma protein are used to assess hydration of the patient. The reliability of these parameters for

assessing dehydration in the donkey has not yet been evaluated. It should be noted that protein may also be lost into the abdomen if peritonitis is present and the presence of hypoproteinaemia is not uncommon in the geriatric donkey. Ideally acid base balance should also be monitored in the colic patient to allow the correct choice of fluid replacement.

assessing dehydration in the donkey has not yet been evaluated. It should be noted that protein may also be lost into the abdomen if peritonitis is present and the presence of hypoproteinaemia is not uncommon in the [[Geriatric Donkey|geriatric donkey]]. Ideally acid base balance should also be monitored in the colic patient to allow the correct choice of fluid replacement.

==Decision-making==

==Decision-making==