Colic Surgery Outcomes in Horses: What Vets and Owners Need to Know
We are excited to announce our Webinar of the Month, presented by Debbie Archer: "Colic Surgery Outcomes in Horses: What the Vet and Owner Need to Know." This insightful webinar delves into the critical information veterinary surgeons need when dealing with horses requiring surgery for colic treatment. It also provides essential knowledge for horse owners and carers to make informed decisions. The discussion will focus on the International Colic Surgery Audit (INCISE) and its findings, which have established benchmarks worldwide.
Webinar Description
Colic remains one of the leading causes of mortality in domesticated horses. This webinar will outline the crucial information veterinary surgeons must know about the likely outcomes of colic surgery. By leveraging the results of the INCISE audit, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of global benchmarks and the importance of clinical audits in equine clinics that undertake colic surgery.
Key Learning Objectives
Tailoring Advice: Understand the need to tailor advice for different groups of horse owners.
Benchmark Outcomes: Discuss key benchmarks for outcomes for different types of colic requiring surgery.
Global Differences: Outline key differences in colic cases seen across the world.
Clinic Variations: Be aware of differences between various clinics offering colic surgery globally.
Utility of Clinical Audit: Appreciate the role of clinical audits in equine clinics performing colic surgery.
Survival Factors: Outline the key features of survival following colic surgery in horses.
Critical Information for Veterinary Surgeons
Understanding how to identify surgical colic early is vital. A logical approach to colic case assessment and monitoring, dependent on severity and response to appropriate analgesia, is essential. The use of improved diagnostics, including abdominal ultrasound and biomarkers of disease severity, is crucial. Early surgery, prior to the development of cardiovascular derangements, significantly enhances surgical outcomes. Approximately 9% of colic cases are surgical in nature, and 24% of cases seen in first opinion practice require hospital assessment and treatment.
Risk Factors and Decision-Making
Recognising critical risk factors such as pain score, heart rate, capillary refill time (CRT), weak pulse, and absence of gut sounds in one or more quadrants is essential. The decision to operate can be challenging for horse owners due to financial constraints, perception around colic surgery and its success, and horse co-morbidities. Veterinary professionals must provide evidence-based information to assist in decision-making.
Common Surgical Lesions
Understanding the types of lesions that commonly require surgery is crucial. Large intestinal and small intestinal lesions are most prevalent (84%), with most large colon lesions being non-strangulating (74.5%) and most small intestinal lesions being strangulating (73.8%). The most common surgical lesions include:
Pedunculated Lipomas
Right Dorsal Displacement
Large Colon Volvulus (Strangulating)
Left Dorsal Displacement
Epiploic Foramen Entrapment
Primary Large Colon Impaction
Small Intestinal Volvulus
Large Colon Volvulus (Non-Strangulating)
Sand Impaction
Ileal Impaction
Conclusion
We are honoured to have Debbie Archer share her expertise in this webinar, providing invaluable insights into colic surgery outcomes. By understanding the benchmarks and utilising clinical audits, veterinary surgeons can enhance their practice and support horse owners in making informed decisions. If you are not part of our community, now is the perfect time to join us and gain access to this and many other informative webinars.