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− | A thorough and detailed examination of a horse with suspected gastrointestinal tract disorders is extremely important. After taking a history from the owner,a logical process including the examination of other body systems as well as the gastrointestinal tract should be followed. The examination usually starts at the head and proceeds caudally. Many different diagnostic tests can be used to diagnose the cause of equine colic, which may have greater or lesser value in certain situations. The most important distinction to make is whether the condition should be managed [[:Category:Medical Colic in the Horse|medically]] or [[:Category:Surgical Colic in the Horse|surgically]]. If surgery is indicated, then it must be performed with utmost haste, as delay is a dire prognostic indicator. Repeat examinations are vital in assessing changes in the horse's condition and level of pain. They should be conducted every one to two hours by the owner or veterinarian and any changes should be managed appropriately and the re-evaluate the horse's prognosis. | + | {{frontpage |
| + | |pagetitle =Colic Diagnosis in the Horse |
| + | |pagebody = <div style="text-align: left; direction: ltr; margin-left: 1em;"> |
| + | A thorough and detailed examination of a horse with suspected gastrointestinal tract disorders is extremely important. After taking a history from the owner,a logical process including the examination of other body systems as well as the gastrointestinal tract should be followed. The examination usually starts at the head and proceeds caudally. Many different diagnostic tests can be used to diagnose the cause of equine colic, which may have greater or lesser value in certain situations. The most important distinction to make is whether the condition should be managed [[:Category:Medical Colic in the Horse|medically]] or [[:Category:Surgical Colic in the Horse|surgically]]. If surgery is indicated, then it must be performed with utmost haste, as delay is a dire prognostic indicator. Repeat examinations are vital in assessing changes in the horse's condition and level of pain. They should be conducted every one to two hours by the owner or veterinarian and any changes should be managed appropriately and the re-evaluate the horse's prognosis. |
| + | </div> |
| + | |contenttitle =Content |
| + | |contentbody =<big><b> |
| + | <br><br> |
| + | <categorytree mode=pages>Colic Diagnosis in the Horse</categorytree> |
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− | ===History=== | + | </b></big> |
− | 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.
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− | =====Early History=====
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− | * Has there been any recent changes in management (feeding/diet changes, water,recent box rest, deworming, medication, exercise routine, breeding, pregnancy)?
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− | * Has the horse ever had any previous episodes of colic?
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− | * How long since the onset of clinical signs? This has a profound impact on prognosis, and the type of treatment that will be undertaken.
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− | * Is the horse eating and drinking normally?
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− | * Does the horse drop food any food from its mouth during eating?
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− | * Does the horse salivate excessively when eating?
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− | * Has the horse made normal faeces or had any diarrhoea?
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− | * What is the vaccination, deworming and dental prophylaxis of this and other animals at the yard?
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− | * Are any other horses on the yard showing similar signs?
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− | * Does the horse live outdoors or stabled?
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− | * Does the horse live in an environment with much sand?
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− | =====Recent History===== | + | |
− | * Is there evidence of abdominal pain?
| + | ===[[Colic Diagnosis in Horses - History]]=== |
− | * Is there evidence of weight loss?
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− | * When did the horse last defecate?
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− | * What signs has the horse shown (flank watching,pawing,rolling, kicking at abdomen) and has it changed?
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− | * Has the horse received any treatment and how has it responded?
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| ===General Physical Examination=== | | ===General Physical Examination=== |