Medical Treatment of Colic in Horses
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Description
A small intestinal volvulus occurs in the horse when the intestine rotates on its mesenteric axis through an angle greater than 180o, resulting in strangulation. Volvulus may occur as a primary cause of colic or secondarily as a result of another condition such as epiploic foramen entrapment, incarceration within the mesentery or adhesion within the abdomen.
Signalment
Foals and yearlings are particularly susceptible to this type of colic.
Clinical signs
The clinical signs associated with this condition are both acute and severe. Common signs include:
- Severe, unrelenting abdominal pain that is non-responsive to analgesia
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnoea
- Reduced/absent borborygmi
- Dehydration
In addition to the above signs, signs relating to endotoxaemia may be present including prolonged capillary refill time, congested mucous membranes and poor pulse quality.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made on the above clinical signs and a combination of confirmatory tests. Large volumes of nasogastric reflux may be obtained; greater than 2L of fluid with a pH greater than 5 is considered abnormal. Rectal examination may indicate multiple distended loops of small intestine, a finding that usually indicates the need for surgical intervention.
Treatment
Treatment for this condition is surgical and consists of correction of the volvulus via a ventral midline coeliotomy. Following reduction of the volvulus, nonviable bowel is resected and an end-to-end anastamosis is performed.
Prognosis
The prognosis associated with small intestinal volvulus is poor due to the rapid cardiovascular deterioration associated with the condition. Previous authors have reported that euthanasia should be considered if greater than 50% of the small intestine requires resecting.
References
McIlwraith, C. W., Robertson, J. T. (1998) McIlwraith & Turner's Equine Surgery: advanced techniques Wiley-Blackwell