Equine Flash Notes - Colic

Question 1

what is the classic case presentation of a horse that is colicking?

Answer 1

acutely painful horse, flank watching, pawing, frequently up & down, +/- rolling, increased heart rate, decreased gut sounds, decreased fecal output, & decreased appetite

Question 2

what are the main goals of your physical exam of a colic horse?

Answer 2

determine how painful the horse is, see if they are tachycardic prior to sedation, & ID the part of the gi tract that is causing the problem

Question 3

what labs should be done on a horse with colic?

Answer 3

PCV/HCT, total solids/total protein, CBC, BUN, creatinine, albumin, & electrolytes

Question 4

what is the main question when determining treatment for a colic horse?

Answer 4

do you treat it medically or surgically

Question 5

what are some indications that surgery is a good idea for a colic horse?

Answer 5

very painful & unresponsive to meds, abnormal rectal palpation, persistent tachycardia, severe distension, abdominal peritoneal fluid (serosanguineous, high protein, high cell count, & increased lactate)

Question 6

what are some indications that medical management of a colic horse is okay?

Answer 6

colitis/diarrhea, neutropenia, odorous/brown-red reflux, fever, & eveidence of primary liver disease

Question 7

is colonic torsion an emergency?

Answer 7

yes!!!!!! very quickly life threatening

Question 8

what are 4 clinical pathology parameters that are likely to increase with dehydration or hemoconcentration during equine colic?

Answer 8

BUN, creatinine, albumin, & electrolytes

Question 9

what are 4 findings on physical exam that would indicate surgical referral?

Answer 9

abnormal rectal exam, refractory to pain medication, tachycardia, & abnormal peritoneal fluid (increased TP, serosanguineous, increased cells, & increased lactate)

Question 10

rectal palpation suggests colonic torsion in a colicky horse - what is the most appropriate course of action?

Answer 10

immediately refer - emergency!!!!