Colic

Question 1

What is colic?

Answer 1

Abdominal pain from GI tract (maybe liver and urogenital as well)

Question 2

Why can colic be misdiagnosed?

Answer 2

Horses have limited ways of showing pain

Question 3

Name 5 typical signs of a horse with colic

Answer 3

Pawing
Trying to go down
Rolling and not shaking
Abrasions (prolonged)
Recumbent

Question 4

Why is the cause of colic hard to diagnose?

Answer 4

So many causes, over 100

Question 5

Give the main 5 causes of colic

Answer 5

Gas
Impaction
Displacement
Strangulation
Ulcers

Question 6

When performing a Physical Exam of a horse with colic, what do you focus on?

Answer 6

Demeanor, TPR, Gut sounds, CV status (mucous membranes), Distention of abdomen

Question 7

What should always be done in a colic case? Why?

Answer 7

Pass a Naso-gastric Tube - to relieve gastric distention

Question 8

What can you feel in a rectal examination of a horse?

Answer 8

Large intestine (LHS) - Caecum (RHS) - Left kidney - Spleen (LHS) - Bladder (mid) - Repro organs - Inguinal rings - Mesenteric root - Aorta

Question 9

What diagnostic tools can be used in a horse with colic? What do they show you?

Answer 9

Ultrasound, assess peritoneal fluid - severity of colic

Question 10

What diagnostic should be performed on all patients with suspected abdominal pain?

Answer 10

Ultrasonography