Colic in Horses Flashcards
What are some causes of Colic?
Spasmodic Gas Impaction Displacement Strangulation
Liver
Urogenital
What are some typical clincial signs of colic?
Pawing
Trying to go down
Rolling
Recumbency
What are other signs of colic?
Muscle fasiculations Looking at flanks Restlessness Kicking at abdomen Sweating
What are the stages of a colic work up?
History PE Nasogastric Tube Rectal Abdominocentesis U/S Clin Path
What are borborygmi?
Gut sounds
What amount of reflux from an NG tube is considered abnormal and what does is suggest?
> 2 litres
Small intestinal dysfunction
How much of the abdomen in a horse can you palpate on rectal?
20 - 40%
What are the abnormal values in peritoneal fluid?
Colour - Serosanguinous
Cell count - >5000/UL
Protein - >25g/L
Cytology - Bacteria, Feed Material
What are some strangulating lesions in the small intestine?
volvulus strangulating lipoma epiploic foramen entrapment Inguina/Scrotal Hernia Intussusceptions Diaphragmatic Hernia Mesenteric rent
Explain what spasmodic colic is
Brief episode of unknown origin that resolves with minimal or no tx
Explain an impaction
impacted feed in the large intestine (rarely in illeum)
resolves in most cases with enteral/IV fluid therapy
Only worst cases require surgery
Eplain a displacement
Large intestine shifts in the abdomen without compromising the blood supply
It can resolve spontaneously but may require surgery.
Explain Enteritis/illeus
Infection or Inflammation of small intestine that causes hypo or a-motility
usually large amounts of reflux
requires intense medical treatment
Explain Typhocolitis
Infection/Inflammation of the large intestine
Usually comes with D+
Intensive medical treatment is required
How does xylazine work when given for Colic?
Alpha 2 agonist. sedative, muscle relaxant, and analgesic.
Supresses release of noradrenaline (PONS)
