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Understanding Equine Colic

Colic—The Equine Acute Abdomen: Part III of a Four Part Series: Surgical colic-

Most colic cases respond to treatment in the field with pain relievers and/or mineral oil and water. Occasionally the horse does not get better, he remains depressed, heart rate remains elevated, gut sounds absent or pain stays or becomes more violent. These few cases that do not show improvement are referred to the nearest surgical facility. Colic surgery survival is directly related to the speed at which the horse is taken to the surgical suite and therefore early referral is essential. A referral does not necessarily mean surgery but it does require at least intravenous fluid therapy and close examination should the condition worsen.

There are several causes of colic that require surgery, the most common include:

• Small intestinal obstructions due to feed impactions such as associated with feeding Bermuda grass hay, ascarid parasite impactions, strangulating small intestinal obstructions due to 180-degree rotation of the intestine about the mesentery. Epiploic foramen or strangulation by a pedunculating lipoma
• Large intestine disorders include feed impactions, sand impactions, enteroliths, displacements, torsions, intussusceptions, adhesions, or neoplasia.

Once at the hospital your horse will be re-examined, blood will be drawn to check for hydration status, infection and overall gut health. A needle will be placed into the abdomen ( abdominocentisis) and peritoneal fluid evaluated for protein level, color, turbidity, white blood cells. A large catheter will be placed in yours vein and fluids will be started. If it is determined your horse needs to go to surgery, he will be anesthetized in an induction room, a breathing tube will be inserted and inhalant anesthesia will begin, his abdomen is prepped for surgery and the surgeon will use a scalpel to open up the abdomen. The surgeon performs a systematic examination of the horses abdominal contents.

If the intestine is damaged it may have to be resected. The damaged section is removed and the ends are re-attached, it is important to maintain a good blood supply to the edges otherwise the integrity of the intestine is compromised.

If the colic is due to an impaction, feed, stones or sand the area of impaction is relieved by making a small incision in the intestine and flushing with copius amounts of water to remove the material.

With simple displacements without compromise to the blood supply leading to the intestines the surgeon need only place the intestines in the correct position. Occasionally a horse experiences the same displacement and repeatedly needs to go to surgery, often the surgeon will make the decision to “tack” the intestine to the body wall.

After surgery the horse recovers in a recovery room and within 12-24 hours it should be alert and active.

The horse will be fed slowly at first and on a schedule determined by the nature of the colic, most uncomplicated colic surgeries return home within a few days. They are typically on stall rest for 30 days then walks and turnouts for another 30 days. Within 3-4 months light exercise can be resumed.

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