Photos courtesy of –Ben Espsy, DVM, DACT –Diana Zimmel, DVM, DACVIM, DABVP

Surgery? Most cases of colic resolve with medical treatment Surgical cases minority of total colics

Surgery? Most common cause of equine mortality –These are the ones that don’t resolve Treat every case as it is surgical

Indications for Surgery Pain –Recurrent or intractable –The longer it persists, the less severe required to indicate surgery Gastric reflux (large amount) –Not necessarily

Indications for Surgery Rectal exam –Small intestinal distention –Displacement or distended large colon –Mass Ultrasound –Thickened bowel wall –Gas in bowel wall

Indications for Surgery Absence of borborygmi –Ileus Peritoneal fluid –Increased protein –Serosanguinous

Normal Mucosa

Strangulation Obstruction Endotoxin

Verminous Arteritis

Contraindications for Surgery Fever –Most often means enteritis CBC –Neutropenia: enteritis Auscultation –Good motility

Preoperative Prognostic Indicators Cardiovascular status (shock) –Indicates severity of problem –Reversible? Small intestinal distention –Usually strangulated –Small intestine has more postoperative complications –Peritoneal fluid elevations

Thank You Ben Buchanan, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC –Brazos Valley Equine Hospital –