How to approach atypical colic

Question 1

List 5 non-intestinal causes of ‘colic’

Answer 1

Renal Disease
Urogenital tract disorders
Liver disease
Peritonitis
Thoracic disease

Question 2

describe how to approach atypical colic

Answer 2

Start with a standard “colic exam”
Major body system assessment
Rectal exam
Abdominal Ultrasound
Peritoneal fluid analysis

Question 3

List 4 causes of increased heart rate

Answer 3

Hypovolaemia
SIRS
Pain
Dysrhythmias

Question 3

List 3 causes of increased respiratory rate

Answer 3

Pain
primary lung disease
pleural space- rare in horse

Question 4

what is a limitation of palpation per rectum

Answer 4

can’t evaluate the entire abdomen per rectum

Question 5

list 3 signs seen on ultrasound of strangulated small intestine

Answer 5

distended loops
thickened loops - due to oedema distal to strangulation
two distinct populations of SI

Question 6

How does peritoneal fluid analysis useful to help diagnose strangulated small intestine

Answer 6

peritoneal lactate >2x peripheral lactate