Colic Flashcards
What percentage of deaths are colic caused?
28%
What is colic?
abdominal pain ranging from mild to severe
caused by GI tract issues
Signs
Flank watching sweating urination posturing no faecal output not eating or drinking rolling pawing
causes
wind sucking parasites- redworm high grain and low forage diet mouldy hay abrupt feed change lack of water consumption sand ingestion stress tumours ulcers
nutritional causes
unnatural diet
edible bedding (straw)
uncooked cereals
What are the types of colic?
spasmodic- bowel contracts unusually
impaction- blockage by mass or food
tympanic- gas build up due to excess fermentation
strangulation- bowel twists, blood supply cut off
How do we diagnose colic?
increased HR mms CRT no gut sounds rectal exam abdominocentesis flash localised abdominal sonography of horses (FLASH)
How can we treat colic?
pain relief and antispasmodics (buscopan) IVFT gentle exercise removing food and water GI reflux surgery if needed
How does colic surgery help?
corrects displacements
removes impactions, tumours or unhealthy tissues
What are three crucial surgery survival factors?
type, time since onset, condition
What is best post-op care?
nutrition IVFT blood tests pain relief antibiotics
What are some complications post-surgery?
post operative ileus- intestinal fail post-operative colic incision infection hernia formation jugular formation diarrhoea laminitis- drug induced
How can we prevent post-op complications?
regular incision cleaning abdominal bandaging box rest hernia removal belly band
How can we prevent colic?
worming protocols diet management fresh water dentistry limit stress low grain, high fibre diet
