EQUINE | Proceedings they would recommend colic surgery .
EQUINE | Proceedings they would recommend colic surgery .
Improving Outcome
Although these conclusions seem logical , it is worth re-iterating that survival rates can only be improved by performing a careful clinical examination of any horse with colic signs so that a possible need for exploratory laparotomy is not missed . EARLY REFERRAL of those horses that may need surgery is IMPERATIVE and will IN- CREASE that horse ’ s chance of survival Judicious use of medication such as flunixin , which has the potential to mask signs of a systemic inflammatory response ( endotoxaemia ), will avoid clinicians delaying necessary referral .
Is It Worth Referring A Horse With Colic To A Surgical Facility ?
The cost of surgery and post-operative care in the colic patient is , in the majority of cases , between $ 5,000 and $ 10,000 . This estimate should always be discussed with the owner prior to surgery along with accurately projected survival chances . The estimate may be exceeded where the surgery is unusually complex and long , where there are unexpected post-operative complications , or a repeat laparotomy is recommended .
However , the above listed evidence-based outcome results show that in most cases , surgery is worth it and has a well-defined chance of restoring the horse to normal use . Early referral , prior to deterioration of cardiovascular parameters , is vital and increases survival . Thorough knowledge of the different survival patterns and the different key prognostic indicators that influence survival in the various types of colic , enable clinicians to appropriately advise owners and make evidence-based decisions when managing surgical colic cases .
References
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2 . Archer , D . C ., Pinchbeck , G . L . and Proudman , C . J . Factors associated with survival of epiploic foramen entrapment colic : A multicentre , international study . Equine Veterinary Journal 2011 ; 43:56-62 .
3 . Christophersen , M . T ., Tnibar , A ., Pihl , T . H ., Andersen , P . H . and Ekstrøm , C . T . Sporting activity following colic surgery in horses : A retrospective study . Equine Veterinary Journal 2011 ; 43:3-6 .
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5 . de Bont MP , Proudman CJ , Archer DC . Surgical lesions of the small colon and post operative survival in a UK hospital population . Equine Vet J . 2013 ; 45:460-464 .
6 . Freeman , D . E ., Hammock , P ., Baker , G . J ., Goetz , T ., Foreman , J . H ., Schaeffer , D . J ., Richter , R . A ., Inoue , O . and Magid , J . H . Short- and long-term survival and prevalence of postoperative ileus after small intestinal surgery in the horse . Equine veterinary journal . Supplement , 2000 ; 42-51 .
7 . French , N . P ., Smith , J ., Edwards , G . B . and Proudman , C . J . Equine surgical colic : Risk factors for postoperative complications . Equine Veterinary Journal 2002 ; 34:444-449 .
8 . Hillyer , M . H ., Taylor , F . G . R . and French , N . P . A cross-sectional study of colic in horses on Thoroughbred training premises in the British Isles in 1997 . Equine Veterinary Journal 2001 ; 33:380-385 .
9 . Kaneene , J . B ., Miller , R ., Ross , W . A ., Gallagher , K ., Marteniuk , J . and Rook , J . Risk factors for colic in the Michigan ( USA ) equine population . Preventive Veterinary Medicine 1997 ; 30:23-36 .
10 . Mair , T . S . and Smith , L . J . Survival and complication rates in 300 horses undergoing surgical treatment of colic . Part 2 : Short-term complications . Equine Veterinary Journal 2005 ; 37:303-309 .
11 . Mair , T . S . and Smith , L . J . Survival and complication rates in 300 horses undergoing surgical treatment of colic . Part 3 : Long-term complications and survival . Equine Veterinary Journal 2005 ; 37:310-314 .
12 . Mezerova , J . and Zert , Z . Long-term survival and complications of colic surgery in horses : Analysis of 331 cases . Veterinarni Medicina 2008 ; 53:43-52 .
13 . Müller , J . M . V ., Wehrli-Eser , M ., Waldmeier , P ., Rohn , K . and Feige , K . Short- And long-term survival of surgical colic patients . Small intestinal resection does not influence the prognosis of horses with small intestinal colic following their first laparotomy . Kurz- Und Langzeitprognose von Dünndarmkolikern Nach Kolikoperation Dünndarmresektionen Haben Keinen Nachteiligen Einfluss auf die Überlebensrate Erstmals Operierter Pferde mit Dünndarmkolik 2009 ; 37:247-254 .
14 . Proudman , C . J . A two year , prospective survey of equine colic in general practice . Equine Veterinary Journal 1992 ; 24:90-93 .
15 . Proudman , C . J ., Smith , J . E ., Edwards , G . B . and French , N . P . Longterm survival of equine surgical colic cases . Part 1 : Patterns of mortality and morbidity . Equine Veterinary Journal 2002 ; 34 : 432-437 .
16 . Proudman , C . J ., Edwards , G . B ., Barnes , J . and French , N . P . Factors affecting long-term survival of horses recovering from surgery of the small intestine . Equine Veterinary Journal 2005a ; 37:360-365 . 17 . Proudman , C . J ., Edwards , G . B ., Barnes , J . and French , N . P . Modelling long-term survival of horses following surgery for large intestinal disease . Equine Veterinary Journal 2005b ; 37:366-370 .
18 . Proudman , C . J ., Edwards , G . B . and Barnes , J . Differential survival in horses requiring end-to-end jejunojejunal anastomosis
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