Colic Flashcards
Colic can be described as…
Any disruption to the GI tract, aka any abdominal pain
Horses have ______ feet of small intestine and _____ feet of large intestine
70;30
Possible causes of colic include:
- obstruction of ingesta
- hyperactive peristalsis (spasms)
- flatulent (gas production)
Obstruction can be caused by…
- volvulus or torsion
- hernia
- reduced blood supply to the intestine
- paralysis of the intestine
- lipomas
- intussusception (telescoping of the intestine)
Spasmodic colic is due to…
Increased intestinal contractions (hyperactivity)
- irritation affecting the mucosal surface
- neuromuscular junctions in the intestinal wall
- central nervous system
- can be treated with banamine
Flatulent colic often occurs in…
Cribbers
An impaction is an…
Intestinal blockage by a large mass of dry food (usually in large intestine)
Gut sounds can also be known as…
Borborygmi
Rising _________ , or packed cell volume, often has to do with dehydration
Hematocrit
Concerning colic, a heart rate of 40-50 is typically an indication _______ colic
Mild/Spasmodic
Concerning colic, a heart rate of 60-80 is typically an indication _______ colic
Moderate/ gas
Concerning colic, a heart rate of 60+ is typically an indication _______ colic
High/displacement
Concerning colic, a heart rate of 100+ is typically an indication _______ colic
Dangerously high/ strangulation or twist
Increased gut sounds usually means…
Spasmodic
Decreased gut sounds usually mean…
Obstructive
______ gums indicate good hydration, while ______ gums indicate dehydration
Slick; sticky
A “belly tap” is also known as…
Paracentesis
Cell death will begin after ______
2 hours
Clear/yellow paracentesis fluid is _______, while red is _________, and green is ________
Normal; an indication of a strangulation or twist (surgery or euthanize); an indication of an intestinal rupture (instant death)
If a horse is not a surgical candidate, then ________ can be administered through a _________
Mineral oil; nasogastric tube
Prompt surgery can save horses with _________ colic
Obstructive
To prevent colic, you should…
- have a good deworming schedule
- regular dental care
- feed on schedule (or be constantly inconsistent) & feed small amounts frequently
- make feed changes gradually
- regular exercise
- unrestricted access to water
