Topic:Colic
Colic is a common gastrointestinal condition in horses characterized by abdominal pain and discomfort. It can result from various causes, including gas buildup, intestinal blockage, or inflammation. The severity of colic can vary, ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening situations requiring surgical intervention. Signs of colic in horses may include restlessness, pawing at the ground, rolling, and changes in eating or drinking behavior. Diagnosis often involves physical examination, rectal palpation, and sometimes imaging techniques. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve medical management or surgical procedures. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and management of colic in horses.
The surgical relief of intestinal obstruction in horses: a review. I. Mortality, anaesthesia and laparotomy. The mortality following operations for intestinal obstructions in horses decreased from 80 per cent during the period 1849-1913 to 22 per cent during the period 1934-1964. Mortality following operations for high intestinal obstructions was greater than for low intestinal obstructions, and the mortality following operations for strangulating obstructions was more than twice as great as the mortality following simple obstructions. The most frequent cause of death following operations was failure to correct the causal condition, or subsequent impaction.
The anaesthesia techniques most frequently...