Operating Theatre Set Up Ready for Colic Surgery

Horse owners are always very relieved to know that about 95% of colic cases do not require surgery, and can be successfully medically treated. Most cases are associated with bowel cramp, and your veterinary surgeon will give a painkiller to make your horse comfortable while this passes. The next largest group of medical cases involve impactions, which are similar to constipation in a person. Again, painkillers will make your horse more comfortable, but these will usually be accompanied by a laxative, such as liquid paraffin, to help the horse to pass the blockage.

The remaining 5% of colic cases will have a piece of intestine which has moved into an abnormal position, and may even have completely twisted, the so-called "twisted gut" which all horse owners fear. Some such cases are inoperable. However, a large proportion of these cases will respond to surgical repositioning of the intestine, or surgical removal of an abnormal piece of intestine, provided the problem is recognised early, before it has become life-threatening.

See what goes on: Click on the picture below to follow one horse's journey through an episode of colic - from diagnosis to surgery and through to recovery...                             (pictures courtesy of i2i Television)

Horse undergoing Colic Surgery

More information on colic is available in the Royal Veterinary College Colic Fact Sheet, which addresses frequently-asked questions, including costs and success rates of surgery.