Category:Colic in Horses

Colic in horses is defined as abdominal pain, and can be caused by a wide variety of conditions. Many of these conditions are life threatening, and therefore it is essential to diagnose and treat cases of colic as quickly as possible. The most common causes of colic are gastrointestinal conditions, although it can also be caused by other abdominal conditions. In the latter case, it is often called false colic. Treatment of colic is largely dependent upon identifying the underlying reason for the pain, and treating this cause appropriately. Most commonly this is done medically, but in a small percentage of cases, surgical intervention is needed. Among domesticated horses, colic is a major cause of premature death. The incidence of colic in the general horse population has been estimated between 10 and 20 percent on an annual basis. It is important that any person who owns or works with horses be able to recognize the signs of colic, so that a veterinarian may be called promptly, before the horse's condition deteriorates.

Pathophysiology

Diagnosis

Medical Conditions

Surgical Conditions

Small Intestine

Impaction

Association with ascarid infection^[1]

Intussusception

This is a condition in which one part of the intestine "telescopes" inside another. Usually this obstructs the blood flow to the inner part, and so forms a strangulating obstruction. Intussusception can occur within the small intestine, and also between small intestine and caecum (ileo-caecal intussusception). The latter is predisposed by Anoplocephala perfoliata tapeworm infection. When working up an acute abdominal case, it must be borne in mind that this form of colic is serious and necessitates surgery, however, peritoneal fluid changes will not usually be seen, as will often be found in a surgical colic. This is because the strangulated portion of gut (the inside of the "telescope"), is contained within an intact piece of intestine, so leaking fluid and protein is contained from the peritoneal cavity.

Herniation/entrapment

• Inguinal canal
• Umbilical hernia
• Epiploic foramen
• Mesenteric rents/tears
• Diaphragmatic hernia
• Mesodiverticular bands
• Gastrosplenic ligament

Pedunculated lipoma

Volvulus (nodosus)

Rotation of mesenteric root

Caecum

Caeco-caecal intussusception

Torsion

Impaction

Large Colon

Torsion

Left dorsal displacement

Right dorsal displacement

Sand impaction

Enterolith

Small Colon

Faecolith

Enterolith

Strangulating lipoma

Any location

Foreign body

False colic

Signs of colic may be caused by abdominal pain not associated with the gastro-intestinal tract, for example, pain associated with uterine or testicular torsion, or originating from the kidneys, liver, ovaries, spleen, pleuritis, or pleuropneumonia. Other diseases which sometimes cause symptoms which appear similar to colic include laminitis and exertional rhabdomyolysis.

Clinical signs

• Pawing and/or scraping
• Stretching
• Frequent attempts to urinate
• Flank watching
• Pacing
• Repeated flehmen response
• Repeated lying down and rising
• Rolling
• Groaning
• Bruxism
• Excess salivation
• Inappetance
• Decreased faecal output
• Increased pulse rate
• Dark mucous membranes

Medical Treatment

Surgical Treatment

Post-surgical Management

Prevention

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

Colic in Horses

See Also

• Equine gastrointestinal anatomy
• Equine nutrition

Further Reading

References