Colic 1 Flashcards
What is colic?
Pain manifesting from the abdomen
-doesn’t have to be GI related
The classification of Colic can be broken down into 2 main etiological categories:
1) Management issues
2) Accidents
What are some of the most important History question to be thinking about when a Horse presents with Colic?
1) how long?
2) when last normal?
3) how severe?
4) intermittent or continuous?
5) Meds? Response?
6) What do they eat? Water supply? Heated?
7) where do they eat?
8) deworming history?
If a Horse has an Iliad impaction and you suspect it is due to what the owner has been feeding, what feed are you suspicious of?
Bermuda grass
What is the NUMBER 1 predisposing factor for horses to get Colic?
MANAGEMENT!!!!!
- Sand?
- High quality roughage?
- CHO?
- water?
- FECs/ deworming?
What are the 3 general types of Non-strangulating lesions?
1) impactions
——Locations (I Leal, Cecil, colonic sm/ lg)
——Types (food, sand, enter olives
2) Displacements
——RDD/LDD (medical/surgical)
3) Strictures
——Transverse colon
What surgical position are Strictures of the transverse colon usually placed in?
Usually they are dorsal
-palpable only
What are the 5 most common places for impactions?
Usually large colon:
-Pelvic flexure
-Right dorsal colon
-transverse colon
………………………………………….small
-small colon
-Gastric impaction
When a horse presents with a small colon impaction and mild fever what other disease are we concerned about?
Salmonella
What are the 3 clinical signs of Salmonella
Small colon impaction
- mildly febrile
- Diarrhea
- neutropenia
2/3 they should go to ISO!!!!!!! while PCR and cultures are pending
Sand impactions usually affect which part of the GI tract?
Right dorsal Colon
How are sand impactions primarily treated?
Medically:
- fluids
- sellium
She reallly tires hard to not take these guys to surgery
How do you Diagnose a Sand impaction?
Auscultation
Fecal float/sink
Abdominocentesis —> sand
Massive and Heavy
Chronic
What is a surgical complication of a Sand impaction?
Area of impaction (right dorsal colon) is HEAVY and MASSIVE!!!!
-split /rupture
Why are Cecal impactions difficult to treat?
They can be insidious, they can creep up on you
-go from not doing alright to rupture
How can you differentiate on rectal a Cecal impaction vs large colon impaction
Cecal impaction:
- Right
- cant palpate around (whereas colon is free)
What prognosis does Cecal/cecal base/ Cupula impaction have with surgery?
Excellent prognosis!
What are the clinical signs of a horse with Cecal impaction?
1) Mild-moderate pain
2) Acute / Chronic intermittent colic
When treating a colonic impaction medically what is the best way to treat it?
-FLUIDS (IV/orally)
????? Check this
What surgical procedure is performed for a horse with Colonic impaction?
- *Pelvic flexure enterotomy**
- incision on the anti-mesenteric surface
What two parasite can cause colic in horses?
1) Strongylus Vulgaris
—->verminous arthritis
———>thromboembolic disease (ischemic bowel)
———>Tx: anthelmintic / ivermectin
2)Anoplocephala perfoliata
—->ileocecal intussusception
A horse has an ileocecal intersussception what parasite is suspected to be the cause?
Anoplocephala perfoliata
What is trichobezoars?
Enterolith made of hair
What is Phytobezoars?
Enteroliths made of fiber
You find a Triangular enterolith during surgery, What should you do?
Look for another one
What is the composition of enteroliths?
MAP
- Magnesium
- Amonisium?
- Phosphate
How do strangulating lesions manifest?
SEVERE Unrelenting PAIN!!!
-increased HR, RR,
T/F: the majority of strangulating lesions are Large Intestine
FALSE
- the majority of strangulating lesions are SMALL intestine
- 58-85% of SI colic are caused by strangulating lesions
List 5 strangulating SI causes of colic!
1) Lipoma
2) EFE (epiploic foramen entrapment)
3) volvulus
4) mesenteric rent
5) developmental abnormalities (meckel’s diverticulum)
What is the prognosis for strangulating lipoma?
Short term survival 48-84%
Where do we see most of strangulating lipomas?
Small intestine >90%
Older horses (14-19yrs)
How do you treat a strangulating Lipoma?
Resection/anastomoses
-using a TA 90
-end to end
What is the epiploic foramen and what are its boundaries?
Foramen of Winslow
- *Boundaries**:
1) caudate process of the liver
2) Portal vine
3) gastropancreatic fold
Importance: catastrophic hemorrhage (Portal vein)
What is a predisposing factor for EFE?
Cribbing
T/F: The majority of EFE are usually RIGHT to LEFT
FALSE
They are usually left to right >95%
All ages
What surgical treatment can be performed for EFE?
-and what are the complications
Manual reduction
Complications : portal vein tear
- 4x more likely to require repeat six
- associated with decreased survival
A postpartum horse presents with severe, unrelenting pain. What goes on the top of your differential lists?
Large intestinal Torsion/Volvulus
33% of all colic undergoing celiotomy are________________?
Large intestinal torsion/Volvulus
What are the risk factors that predispose to LARGE Colon TORSION?
1) Post parturient mare (30-90days)
2) Diet change
3) Recent access to lush pasture
What does a colic exam include?
Starts with a good PE!!!
1) distance exam and history
2) TPR
3) MM/CRT
4) GI sounds (auscultation/percussion)
5) DP/extremity Palpatine
What must always always always be done during a Colic Exam?
In addition to PE
- NG tube*always
- rectal exam
- U/S abdomen
- Bloodwork
- Abdominocentesis
- Other ancillary tests
Why is it important to pass a Nasogastric tube in a Colic Horse?
To prevent gastric rupture!!!
-Diagnostic and therapeutic
T/F: always cut a fever!!!
FALSE never cut a fever
If>102 look for a medical disease!!!
What is a normal Respiration Rate for a Horse?
-if increased what does this suggest
8-16
increased RR :
- Pain
- Acid/Base imbalance
Why is a rectal exam an important part of a complete colic exam?
Can provide valuable information:
- dissension
- displacement
- rupture
But if its not safe DONT do it!!
For a rectal exam on a colic horse what restraint is best!!
STOCKs
What is a spasmolytic that can be used during a rectal exam on a colic horse?
- Buscopan
- Lidocaine
During a rectal exam of a horse what can be palpated in the middle?
- Aorta (dorsal midline)
- inguinal ring (ventral)
- small colon