Equine Colic Flashcards by Chris Bessette

What is the #1 predisposing factor for colic in horses?

improper management

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What are the most common locations for impaction in the horse?

Pelvic flexure
Right dorsal colon
Transverse colon
Small colon
Stomach

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Where are sand impactions most commonly observed in horses?

Right dorsal colon

Diagnosis:
- Auscultation (sounds like a beach!)
- Fecal float/sink
- Abdominocentesis - sand

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Type II cecal impactions in horses are typically the result of:

cecal dysfunction

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T/F: Abdominal ultrasound is a routine part of the colic exam

True

Can confirm LDD, SI distention, bowel thickening, free fluid. Excellent tool for evaluating the GI in real time

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What are the 7 locations on the horse that are examined using the fast localized abdominal sonography of horses (FLASH) ultrasound technique?

Left side:
- 1 - Ventral abdomen
- 2 - Gastric window
- 3 - Nephrosplenic window
- 4 - Left middle 1/3 of abdomen
Right side:
- 5 - Duodenal window
- 6 - Right middle 1/3 of abdomen
- 7 - Cranial ventral thorax

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Where is an abdominocentesis performed on a horse?

On or to the RIGHT of ventral midline & caudal to the xiphoid

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Normal lactate level in peritoneal fluid of a horse should be _____

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Normal WBC in peritoneal fluid in an adult horse should be _____

<5,000/μL

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T/F: Normal fluid on an abdominocentesis should be serosanguinous and turbid

False.

It should not be that.

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What is the minimum pre-op bloodwork prior to colic surgery?

PCV/TP
Lactate
CBC with differential
Fibrinogen
Glucose
BUN/Creatinine

Helps assess prognosis and help determine likelihood of intra/post-op complications

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What is the best overall surgical approach for colic surgery?

Ventral midline approach

Can exteriorize 75% of GI tract
Minimal hemorrhage, strong closure
Unable to exteriorize stomach, duodenum. distal ileum, base of cecum, distal RDC, transverse colon, terminal small colon

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Abdominal exploration in the horse should start at the __________

cecum

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When exploring the abdomen in the horse, you begin at the cecum. If you follow the lateral band to the cecocolic band, you will reach the ________

Right ventral colon

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When exploring the abdomen in the horse, you begin at the cecum. If you follow the dorsal band to the ileocolic fold, you will reach the ________

antimesenteric band of the ileum

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The duodenum is fixed to the dorsal body wall and transverse colon by the __________ ligament

duodenocolic ligament

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What is the gold standard for assessing tissue viability?

Histopathology

Not very practical though unfortunately, so we rely on gross clinical assessment, which is only ~54% accurate

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This 14 year old QH gelding was normal this morning and at lunch, but was severely painful this afternoon.

Rope horse, eats grass/alfalfa mix, and pellets. Up to date on vaccines and deworming. No history of previous colic and no meds

Physical Exam: Temp: 100.8, HR: 80, RR: unable d/t pain, mm: “muddy”, CRT: 3, GI neg all quadrants. Evidence of self induced trauma over head/eyes

Based on the PE findings, what is your next step?

Rectal exam
Sedation/pain management
NG tube
Bloodwork

Sedation/pain management

Then NG tube

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An owner found her 8 year old Warmblood mare violently colicky. The mare has a foal and the owner is concerned for the foal’s safety. The mare foaled 8 weeks ago and the foal is doing great (this is her 3rd foal). Current on vaccines and deworming. On spring pasture. The owner gave 10 mL Banamine PO prior to calling.

Based on this information, what is your top differential?

Colon Torsion

Other differentials include mesocolon tear, LC displacement, or other intestinal accident.

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Which of the following would be a likely pre-op drug protocol for colic surgeries?

K+ Pen
Gentocin
Banamine
Tetanus toxoid
IV Fluid (LRS)

All of the above

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What structure is Justin Beiber pointing to?

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Pelvic Flexure

What is the daily maintenance fluid rate for post-op colic horses?

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50 mL/kg/day

Don’t forget to add losses to maintenance

After colic surgery if your patient has hypocalcemia that is refractory to therapy, this may indicate __________

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hypomagnesemia

High prevalence of hypomagnesemia post-op due to increased requirements of critically ill patients
Can add 150mg/kg/day of MgSO₄ in fluids for maintenance supplement

When supplementing potassium in a horse, it is important not to give more than ____ mEq/kg/hr

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0.5 mEq/kg/hr

Usually add 80mEq to a 5L bag

When do you discontinue meds after colic surgery?

**When the patient is eating, afebrile, normal CBC**

What are the components of management for post-operative endotoxemia?

* **FLUIDS** * **Flunixin Meglumine (low dose)** * **Meds to chelate endotoxins** * **Di-tri-octahedral (DTO) smectite (Biosponge)** * **Polymyxin B (binds endotoxin)** * Binds lipid A, neutralizes endotoxin * **Hyperimmune serum** * **Plasma** * **Heparin therapy** (in cases of DIC)

What is the most common lesion in horses leading to post-operative ileus?

**Strangulating SI lesion**

T/F: Lidocaine CRI helps inhibit free radical production

**True**

For treatment of POI in horses, a Lidocaine bolus can be given to directly stimulate smooth muscle and inhibit free radical production

**False** * For treatment of POI in horses, a Lidocaine _CRI_ can be given to directly stimulate smooth muscle and inhibit free radical production.* * DO NOT BOLUS! This can lead to muscle fasciculations, ataxia, and seizures.*

Metoclopramine stimulates smooth muscle in __________ and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Metoclopramine stimulates smooth muscle in **_stomach_** and **_small intestine_** * *Increases ACH release via:* * *DA₁ and DA₂ antagonism* * *5-HT₄ agonism and 5-HT₃ antagonism* * *Dose: 0.04mg/kg/hr CRI* * *Toxicity/Extrapyramidal effects:* * *Excitement, restlessness, sweating, seizure*

The most common complication from incisional infection is:

**incisional hernia** *Do not repair for 3 months - give time for formation of fibrous ring to so you have tissue that can hold your suture. Otherwise you will have a failed repair*

Abnormal abdominocentesis along with a serum-peritoneal glucose difference \>\_\_\_mg/dL is indicative of peritonitis

**\>50 mg/dL** *Abnormal abdominocentesis along with a serum-peritoneal glucose difference _\>50mg/dL_ is indicative of peritonitis*

Peritoneal pH \<\_\_\_\_ with peritoneal glucose \<\_\_\_\_mg/dL is diagnostic for septic peritonitis

Peritoneal pH **_\<7.2_** with peritoneal glucose **_\<30mg/dL_** is diagnostic for septic peritonitis

Age, gender, and signalment can rule in or out many differentials for colic. In _newborn foals_, what are your top differentials?

* **Meconium impaction** * **Gastric ulceration** * **Enteritis** * **Inguinal hernia with ruptured tunic** * **Sepsis**

Age, gender, and signalment can rule in or out many differentials for colic. In _2-5 day old foals_, what are your top differentials?

* **Ruptured bladder** * **Gastric ulcers** * **Enteritis**

Age, gender, and signalment can rule in or out many differentials for colic. In _older foals_, what are your top differentials?

* **Gastroduodenal ulcers** * **Enteritis** * **SI volvulus** * **Intussusception** * **Gastric outflow obstruction** * **Impaction (Ascarid)**

Certain breeds tend to have certain causes of colic. QH fillies often develop \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**hernias**

Certain breeds tend to have certain causes of colic. TB colts tend to develop \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**ruptured bladder**

Certain breeds tend to have certain causes of colic. Minis tend to develop \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**small colon obstruction**

With regard to colic in foals, fillies are more predisposed to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, whereas colts are more predisposed to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

* **Colts:** * **Meconium impaction** * **Inguinal hernia** * **Fillies:** * **Ruptured bladder (at urachus)** * **Ureteral abnormalities**

This type of grass hay has been associated with ileal impactions in the horse:

**Coastal Bermuda**

This procedure is performed during colic surgery for horses with surgical impactions:

**pelvic flexure enterotomy**

During a colic episode a NG tube is passed and positive net reflux is obtained. When this happens this treatment is often given via the NG tube:

**no treatment**

This lesion causes colic in horses and is often treated by jogging the horse after pharmaceutical administration:

**nephrosplenic entrapment**

In a colicking horse with a sand impaction, the majority of the sand is found in this specific portion of the GIT:

**right dorsal colon**

This is a common complication after SI surgery in the horse:

**Post-op ileus**

This type of colon obstruction causes severe congestion and edema in the mesentery and affected colon:

**hemorrhagic strangulating obstruction**

Identify this structure:

**small colon**

These are potential predisposing factors for colon torsion in horses:

**Recent parturition, recent access to lush green grass, and recent dietary changes**

It is common to see decreased levels of this mineral post-operatively due to increased requirements in critically ill patients:

**magnesium**

T/F: Cribbing predisposes horses to epiploic foramen entrapment

**True**

What major complication is associated with surgical correction of epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE)?

**Portal vein tear** * Portal vein tear leading to fatal hemorrhage. Prognosis with fatal hemorrhage is not good.* * It's bad.*

Equine Colic Flashcards

Taught by Dr. Erika Little (52 cards)