Risk Factors & Pathophysiology of Colic

Question 1

Define colic

Answer 1

a demonstration of symptoms that are interpreted as evidence of abdominal pain

Question 2

What are some behavioral indications of colic in adult horses?

Answer 2

1. pawing the ground
2. looking at flank
3. stretched/camp out
4. kicking at abdomen
5. pointing at abdomen with nose
6. flehmen response

Question 3

what are behaviors that foals do that indicate they have colic?

Answer 3

any that adults exhibit PLUS…
1. suckle for 2-3 sec then drop off
2. down, frog-legged, on back/showing abdomen
3. straining

Question 4

what is the most common form of colic?

Answer 4

spasmotic / gas / simple colic

Question 5

out of 100 horses, what is the avg # horses that colic per year?

Answer 5

4 and most will be simple gas colics

Question 6

what time of year do the largest # of colics occur?

Answer 6

spring – lush grass

Question 7

what is the historical health related event that is associated with repeat colic?

Answer 7

previous colic surgery
horses are very prone to adhesion formation and this can lead to trapped bowel and cause recurrent colic.

Question 8

What % of colic cases actually undergo surgery?

Answer 8

4%

Question 9

What about a horses current-day diet can increase the risk of colic?

Answer 9

The feed that horses are fed present day is usually concentrate (high in carbs), complete feed (high in fiber), etc. but horses do not actually need these feeds as long as they have access to high quality pasture.

Question 10

what are the 5 local hay types?

Answer 10

1. fescue
2. timothy
3. orchard grass
4. clover
5. alfalfa

Question 11

Of the 5 local hays, which hays are legumes and which are grass?

Answer 11

grass hays = fescue, timothy, orchard grass

legumes = alfalfa, clover

Question 12

which hay type (grass vs legume) provides MORE protein on per lb basis?

Answer 12

Legume hay

Question 13

Of the 2 hay types (legumes vs grass) which tends to be MORE calorically dense?

Answer 13

Legumes

Question 14

Of the hay types (grass vs legumes), which tends to be higher in calcium?

Answer 14

Legumes

Question 15

What is the difference between 1st cutting hay and 2nd cutting? Which is better?

Answer 15

1st cutting – had a long grow period (winter–> spring); dense, coarse texture

2nd cutting – better because grew again after being cut in the the spring; softer, more palatable and nutrient dense.

Question 16

What are 4 characteristics of hay quality can you judge stall-side?

Answer 16

1. when during its development was it cut?
2. what is the ratio of leaf to stem
3. is there dust and/or mold in the hay?
4. is the hay soft to touch?

Question 17

How can you tell maturity and quality based on seed head?

Answer 17

Ideally JUST BEFORE the seed head emerges, this is the BEST for making horse hay because it is most nutritious. This is otherwise known as the BOOT.

The more the seed grows after emerging, the poorer nutrition and palability.

Question 18

What is the BEST leaf to stem ratio / most nutrition for the horse?

Answer 18

at least 50% leaf (the leaf is more nutritious that stem)
ideally more.

Question 19

What does dust/mold on hay indicate?

Answer 19

the hay was not cured properly

Question 20

what are 2 plants that can get into hay and cause pain upon being eaten because they contain briers?

Answer 20

1. horse nettle
2. pigweed

Question 21

What vitamins and minerals should horses always have access to?

Answer 21

vitamin E
Selenium
NaCl

Question 22

what are dietary factors that increase the risk of colic?

Answer 22

• placing on pasture too quickly/suddenly
• rapid change in feed
• concentrate
• prolonged periods between feeding (no constant ingestion)

Question 23

Describe how horse owners shoudl switch from one type of grain to another and how they should introduce their horses to spring pasture?

Answer 23

SLOWLY

Question 24

T/F: providing plenty access to fresh water can reduce colic risk

Answer 24

true

Question 25

What type of activity can decrease colic risk?

Answer 25

At least 1-2 hours of consistent, predictable movement per day that is not too strenuous.

Question 26

What preventative care things can decrease risk of colic?

Answer 26

1. deworming
2. dentistry
3. vaccination
4. biosecurity

Question 27

Which 2 types/locations of colic are considered emergencies and require IMMEDIATE attention because horses are much less tolerant of this type?

Answer 27

1. stomach
2. small intestine

also regardless of location, any lesion that interrupts blood flow is an emergency!

Question 28

Which 4 lesion locations causing colic are LESS severe because the horse is more tolerant of them?

Answer 28

1. cecum
2. large colon
3. transverse colon
4. small colon

also regardless of location, any lesion that interrupts blood flow is an emergency!

Question 29

What are physical parameters that may indicate poorer prognosis for colic?

Answer 29

• elevated HR
• elevated RR
• febrile
• acidemia
• elevated PCV
• elevated serum protein
• decreased WBC count
• changes in peritoneal fluid (color, WBCs, ad protein)

Question 30

T/F: the window for opportunity in cases of small intestine lesions is very narrow

Answer 30

true

Question 31

T/F: the window for opportunity in cases of strangulating lesions of ANY part of the GI tract is very narrow

Answer 31

true