Colic Surgery: Lesions, Outcomes and Complications

The aims are to establish if the cause of pain is abdominal, whether the condition will require surgery and the state of the patient. Essential procedures are observation of pain signs, auscultation of the heart, chest and abdomen, evaluation of the mucous membranes and rectal examination. Basic haematology should establish the packed cell volume and total protein. Further tests such as gastric decompression, abdominocentesis and, if available, ultrasonography can be valuable. Once a diagnosis has been made, time should not be wasted on unnecessary tests. If the case requires surgery there should be a strict routine for preparation of the horse. No time should be wasted searching for equipment or personel. An intravenous catheter is placed aseptically and intravenous fluids commenced; the stomach is decompressed; the abdomen can be clipped and feet cleaned. Anaesthetic and theatre facilities should be ready before the horse arrives. […]