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
- 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