Gastrointestinal colics in horses: clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and postmortem findings [electronic resource].

Includes references.

A total number of thirty-nine horses of both sexes with gastrointestinal colic were classified into four groups according to thorough clinical examination; ultrasonography and postmortem findings and each was compared to a control. Fourteen horses had spasmodic colic, eleven suffered from flatulent colic, ten showed signs of impactive colic and four horses had obstructive colic. The clinical findings of all types were recorded. Blood lactate level was significantly increased in cases exhibited severe abdominal pain. However, in horses with moderate abdominal pain there were no significant changes. The results of ultrasonography revealed that in spasmodic colic only increased peristaltic activity was detected and the wall thickness increased in five horses. In flatulent colic, the cecum showed thin wall with absence of sacculations, and hypomotility was observed. In impactive colic, there was a large circular hyperechoic mass in the cecum consistent with a dense material or an enteroliths. In obstructive colic, the small intestine especially the jejunum and the descending colon appeared distended with fluid containing ingesta that appeared of mixed echogenicity and there were no detectable peristaltic activity. It is concluded that ultrasonography of horses with gastrointestinal colic provides the clinician with a rapid, and noninvasive results that can aid in the diagnosis of many gastrointestinal disturbances causing acute abdominal pain, thereby improving the recognition of surgical lesion and improving the potential for successful treatment. In addition, blood lactate level can be used as a prognostic indicator in horses with gastrointestinal colic.0

Summary in Arabic.

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