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Once the veterinarian has carried out the examination, a decision as to whether the horse is a candidate for medical treatment or referral to a surgical facility for exploration, has to be made. Some cases will be difficult to diagnose and pose a problem to the decision to refer the horse. It is better for the veterinarian to refer the horse if there is any doubt as any further delay can make the difference between a sucessful and fatal outcome. The decision is based on a number of parameters listed below.
Once the veterinarian has carried out the examination, a decision as to whether the horse is a candidate for medical treatment or referral to a surgical facility for exploration, has to be made. Some cases will be difficult to diagnose and pose a problem to the decision to refer the horse. It is better for the veterinarian to refer the horse if there is any doubt as any further delay can make the difference between a sucessful and fatal outcome. The decision is based on a number of parameters listed below.
These parameters will need to be reassessed over time to monitor for any change in the horse's condition and response to any therapy. A change in one or more of these parameters may be sufficient for referral to a surgical facility. The clinical signs as a result of pain and the response to analgesia are very important in assessing the need for surgery. Horse's with unrelenting pain that is not responsive to analgesia should be refered immediately. Rectal examinations are very useful in evaluating the colic patient as some surgical abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract can be palpated.
These parameters will need to be reassessed over time to monitor for any change in the horse's condition and response to any therapy. A change in one or more of these parameters may be sufficient for referral to a surgical facility. The clinical signs as a result of pain and the response to analgesia are very important in assessing the need for surgery. Horse's with unrelenting pain that is not responsive to analgesia should be refered immediately. Rectal examinations are very useful in evaluating the colic patient as some surgical abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract can be palpated.
The difficulty lies in the fact that signs of most medical colics are indistinguishable from the early signs of surgical colic. Almost all colics have a medical aspect at the start of the disease course. An early diagnosis and the appropriate treatment are necessary to cure the condition. It is also important to rule out conditions that mimic colic but do not involve the gasrointestinal tract. These conditions are collectively known as [[False Colic in the Horse|false colic]]. Other abdominal and major organs can cause pain that mimics intestinal pain. There may also be several sites involved that manifest in a common pathway of abdominal discomfort. The veterinarian must observe the whole horse and take into account any concurrent disease that can affect the clinical examination.
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| Positive results, serosanguinous fluid, TPP > 25 g/l, WBC's increased
| Positive results, serosanguinous fluid, TPP > 25 g/l, WBC's increased
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===References===
* Edwards B. (2009), Diagnosis and Pathophysiology of Intestinal Obstruction, in Equine Gastroenterology courtesy of the University of Liverpool, pp 9 - 10
* Knottenbelt D. C. (2009), Diagnosis and Management of Medical Colic, in Equine Gastroenterology courtesy of the University of Liverpool, pp 19 - 20
* 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 112
[[Category:Colic_in_Horses]]