Equine Colic: Seventy-six Cases Resulting from Incarceration of the Large Colon by the Suspensory Ligament of the Spleen.

The study investigates the affliction of 76 horses with abdominal pain, caused by the entrapment of the large colon by the spleen’s suspensory ligament. This condition, termed “equine colic,” was observed predominantly in mature male horses during winter, displaying mild to moderate symptoms that often led to a misdiagnosis of colonic impaction. Surgical intervention typically occurred approximately 21 hours post-onset of colic and resulted in a survival rate of about 87%.

Background and Objectives

• The study seeks to clarify the nature, treatment, and outcomes of a specific equine condition known as the entrapment of the large colon by the spleen’s suspensory ligament—a form of colic.
• This research was conducted mainly to outline the type of horses most afflicted by this condition, expand on the associated clinical signs, ascertain the commonality of misdiagnoses, and establish the effectiveness of surgical intervention.

Study Design and Participants

• The research involves a total of 76 horses, all of which had been diagnosed and treated surgically for the entrapment of the large colon by the spleen’s suspensory ligament.
• The main focus was on mature male horses, as they were discovered to be the most affected demographic.

Findings

• Most instances of equine colic occurred during the winter months in older male horses, with an average age of 4.7 years.
• The condition’s clinical indications included mild to moderate abdominal pain and distension, accompanied by moderate tachycardia, i.e., abnormally rapid heart rate.
• The mild nature of the colic and the notable passage of feces in 40% of the horses often led to an initial misdiagnosis and associated treatment for colonic impaction.
• The condition was correctly diagnosed prior to exploratory celiotomy (the surgical procedure to inspect the abdominal cavity) in only 18% of the cases.
• Two distinct types of displacement were identified during the study.
• The survival rate was approximately 86.8%, with discharged horses from the hospital experiencing a long-term survival rate of 78.9%.

Conclusions

• The study emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis of equine colic, as misdiagnosis can lead to potentially harmful or ineffective treatment plans.
• Despite the condition’s severity, a high survival rate was noted among the horses that underwent surgical intervention.
• The research aids in an improved understanding of the condition, which could ultimately contribute to improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.