OklahomaHorses Magazine January 2021

26 OklahomaHorses • January/February 2021 COMMITTED TO PHENOMENAL SERVICE JOY JONES 405.287.7702 joy_jones@radiantbenefits.com HUNTER NIXON 281.788.7896 hunter_nixon@radiantbenefits.com • Individual and Group Health Insurance • Dental and Vision • Catastrophic Event • Accidental Injury and Hospitalization Plans ARIZONA TO OKLAHOMA Premi um Ar i zona Hay WE DELIVER • OTHER HAY AVAILABLE 405.240.6464 WELLSTON & BEGGS, OK are supposed to be. In these “normal” colics, less aggressive treatment may be sufficient to resolve the colic. In other types of colic, such as a dis- placement, it is possible to identify a segment of the intestines in an area that it should not be. Impactions may also be palpable. These are large amounts of digesta that may be stuck in a certain segment of the intestine—for instance, at a segment that goes from very wide to very narrow. Other segments might be distended with gas. Any of these palpable abnormalities may provide information that further therapy may be required to help treat the patient. Next, a nasogastric tube may be passed. This tube is passed through the nasal passageway, into the esophagus and down to the stomach. Once the tube is placed, fluid is pumped into the stomach. Excess fluid may be present in the stomach, and a siphon can be created with the nasogastric tube to remove it. Since horses are unable to regurgitate, it is important to remove any excess in fluid to prevent rupture of the stomach. If the stomach is found to be normal, water and sometimes a laxative are administered. Also, bloodwork may be run. Hydration status is often checked with a blood sample. Fluid therapy may be given using an intrave- nous route if dehydration is a concern. Your veterinarian may also choose to run a lactate. Lactate measurements can be used in horses to help diagnose a potential risk of a compro- mised segment of bowel. Both peripheral and abdominal samples can aid in determination of this possibility and if elevated may indicate a need for surgery. Abdominal ultrasound can help provide information about certain types of colic. For example, in small intestine conditions, your veterinarian may see loops of distended and possibly non-moving small intestine. This can be useful information when determining if the patient needs medical or surgical treatment. In colic cases, the veterinarian uses all of this information to create a medical treatment plan. He or she will continue to monitor comfort and vital signs to determine if intervention is working. In some cases, medical treatment is not enough. At this time, surgical intervention be- comes the best chance of survival. Although this is not a common outcome, it is certainly a pos- sibility. Early and appropriate medical treatment can help prevent surgery in most cases. If you are concerned that your horse is colick- ing, talk to your veterinarian to determine the best treatment plan. Photo: Grace Owen, DVM When medical treatment is not enough, surgery may be necessary to resolve some colics.