Epidemiology
Incidence
Colic occurs relatively frequently in horses, with an incidence estimated at 0.1-0.2 episodes per horse-year. In context, this would mean an average holding of 100 horses could reasonably expect to see 10-20 cases every year.
Classification
Approximately 90% of colic episodes can be succesfully managed using medical treatments, with the remainder requiring surgery. Assuming surgical and medical cases of colic are accurately distinguished, survival rates of 95% and 80% are considered normal for medical and surgical colic, respectively.
Post-operative Survival
Studies have shown that there is an increased risk of death with certain factors:
- Abnormal Packed Cell Volume (PCV) on presentation
- Increased length of intestine resected
- Increased duration of surgery
- Elevated peripheral lactate
- Elevated peritoneal fluid lactate