Clinical evaluation of the equine colic patient.

Abstract: DELETE: Most large animal practitioners successfully diagnose and treat the majority of uncomplicated cases of colic. However, a frustrating situation arises when one has to decide whether conservative or surgical therapy is indicated, or if euthanasia is advised. It is with this in mind that I have devised the following approach to the evaluation of the colic patient. I hope it will be helpful in categorizing the type of colic as well as in providing direction for a logical approach to therapy. The clinical evaluation discussed below is an attempt to categorize—not diagnose—the type of colic a patient is exhibiting. With experience, this entire checklist can be performed in less than 10 minutes, and in most cases, it will provide an adequate understanding of the course of events so that a logical plan of therapy can be instituted, evaluated, and continued. It is also helpful to utilize parts of this checklist to assess the severity of the colic as described by clients.