Colic In Foals

Question 1

What are some common causes of colic in foals?

Answer 1

Meconium impaction
SI volvulus (not common, but VERY painful)
GI obstruction
Ascarid impaction
Sand impaction

Question 2

What are some congenital defects that cause foal colic?

Answer 2

Aganglionosis (Overo lethal white syndrome)
Atresia Coli
Mesodiverticular band (anti-mesenteric to mesenteric)
Meckel’s Diverticulum (antimesenteric ilium to umbilicus)

Question 3

What is aganglionosis/overo lethal white syndrome?
What is the treatment?

Answer 3

Lack of receptive relaxation in the affected segment of bowel creating a pseudo-obstruction

Overo - Overo breeding

No tx - euthanize

Question 4

What is a mesodiverticular band?

Answer 4

Antimesenteric to mesenteric embryologic remnant of the vitelline circulation that wraps around to make constriction area

Question 5

What is a Meckel’s diverticulum?

Answer 5

Antimesenteric ileum to umbilicus
Remnant of vitelline duct
Acts like a fixation point that can later be trapped

Question 6

What are some special considerations for diagnosis and treatment in foals?

Answer 6

Abdominal rads can be done
Intestinal adhesions common
Abdominocentesis - specialized smaller blunt-tip needles