Colic In Horses Flashcards
What is colic?
Colic is not a specific disease or diagnosis but rather a clinical syndrome involving abdominal pain
What are the different types of lesions that can cause colic?
Distension/ spasmodic colic
Non strangulating
Strangulating
Inflammatory
No GIT/ false colic
What is the most common form of colic and what is the most life threatening?
Spasmodic is the most common and usually is mild and resolves with analgesia
Strangulating is the most life threatening as it affects blood supply to tissues
What key aspects of your diagnostic approach to horses and indicate the severity of the colic?
Heart rate: if greater than 80/ min mortality rate 38-55% if over 90 bpm mortality rate increases to 83%
CRT: if mm are toxic indicate poor vein outs return, hypovolemic shock, and should be immediately referred.
What are the signs of abdominal pain in horses?
Recumbency
Stretching
Flank watching
Pawing
Trying to go down rolling
Abrasions on face and/or body from throwing themselves
If a horse is very painful during exam for colic what drugs can be given to alleviate pain and what drugs should NOT be given while working up?
Detomidine, romfidin, xylazine, +/- butorphanol
NO NSAIDs while working up
What important questions should you ask/ what information should you get when working up a colic case?
Age Time of colic onset Degree of colic shown Any treatments given? Previous colic history Last passing of feces Management Worming regime
What parts of a physical exam should you pay key attention to in a colic case?
Demeanor TPR CV status Gut sounds Abdominal sounds/ distension
How do you describe gut sounds?
Hypermotile +++
Normal ++
Hypomotile +
Absent -
If a ping present suggests gas distention fo a viscous Lower intestine
What does abdominal distention indicate in colic case?
A large colon problem
Apple or pear shaped
Why is a rectal exam indicated in a colic case?
Identify normal structure
Identify distensions, or impaction
Identify displacements
Identify abnormal structures or masses
Is a tool to determine severity and need for referral or surgery
Before performing a rectal in the field what should you do first?
Physical exam and vital
Hr, crt temp, and rr especially
Restraint
Sedate if necessary
Administer a spasmolytic to avoid a rectal tear ( increases HR)
Put on gloves
What are the steps do a rectal exam in a horse?
Remove feces
Check all normal structures
Aorta, left kidney, nephrosplenic space, caudal end of spleen, pelvic flex tube, cecum, bladder, reproductive organs.
Start at the aorta and move counter clockwise
What are some abnormalities that you may feel on a horse rectal exam?
Pelvic flextime impaction
Fingers indent in impaction
Mass where flexure should be
Distended small intestine
Normal should not feel at all, when inflamed feels like a bike tire
Large intestinal displacements
Left vs right displacement with experience
After you perform a physical and rectal exam what should be done immediately in a potential colic case?
PASS A NASOGASTRIC TUBE!!!
TPR then exam is also okay
