Compliments of:
Golden Animal Hospital, Inc.
17575 South Golden Road
Golden, CO 80401
Colic means abdominal pain, commonly referring to pain originating in the gastrointestinal tract. Common signs noted by the horse attendant are those of restlessness ( i.e. pawing, looking at the abdomen, desire to lay down, or other atypical attitudes), pain (i.e. sweating, lifting upper lip), and diminished appetite.
Evaluation of patient:
1. Degree of pain – the degree of pain and the speed of onset are more related to location.
2. Pulse – Normal is approximately 40 / minute 60-80 / minute – likely surgical problem >100 / minute – unfavorable prognosis
3. Color of mucous membranes Pink = normal Red to dark red = toxemia Purple +/- pale = unfavorable prognosis
4. Capillary refill 1 to 1.5 seconds = normal < 5 seconds = unfavorable prognosis
5. Borborygmi
Medical vs. Surgical Treatment:
The success of surgical intervention in cases of colic is extremely dependent on the duration of the problem. TIME IS THE ENEMY! A decision on whether or not to operate on a patient must usually be made rapidly, most often on less than optimal information. Many things are considered when determining if medical or surgical treatment will be appropriate for a particular patient. Surgical candidates usually will show one of the following:
1) Severe or uncontrolled pain. One of the best indicators of pain is the response to Rompun.
2) Deteriorating condition or a condition that is not responding to a medical therapy.
3) Recurrence of signs within 3-4 hours in an undiagnosed case.
4) Palpable abnormalities on rectal exam.
5) Pulse > 80/minute.
6) Gastric reflux (fluid from the stomach tube). The pH of this fluid may indicate if the fluid comes from the stomach or the small intestine.
7) Abnormal abdominal fluid (obtained from an abdominal tap).
Control of Pain:
Rompun
An alpha adrenergic agonist, provides analgesia and tranquilization.
May be given I.M. or I.V.
Dosage: 1-3 ml (100mg – 300mg) for an adult.
Duration should be 45 minutes.
Good prognostic aid.
Minimal influence of intestinal motility.
Side effects: increased blood pressure with secondary decreased heart rate. May also cause ataxia.
Banamine:
A NSAID (like phenylbutazolidin, aspirin).
Best given I.V. to the colic patient.
May disguise the severity of colic at 1 ml/ 100 lb dose.
Dosage: 10 cc (500mg) should provide relief for 3 hours; 2.5 cc (125 mg) will provide an anti-endotoxic effect without masking clinical signs.
Phenylbutazone:
Poor efficacy in abdominal pain.
Possibly useful if impending laminitis is a concern.
Novin (Diprone)
A low level anti-spasmotic, analgesic.
An excellent antipyretic.
Dosage: 20 cc given I.V. or I.M.
Dormosodan
Best given I.V.
Will eliminate pain even in terminal cases.
Poor prognostic aid, but sometimes necessary to get a horse to a surgical facility.
Acepromazine:
Tranquilizer not an analgesic.
Vasodialtor.
Hypotensive.
CAUTION: If a horse is "shocky", acepromazine may provide his undoing.
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