Post-operative management of equine abdominal patients

Adequate post-operative management of equine abdominal patients is as necessary to patient survival as the most heroic corrective surgery. Post-operative management must begin during the anaesthesia recovery phase to insure adequate oxygen supply, ventilation, and minimize any abdominal discomfort. The animal's physiological status must be constantly monitored to detect and determine the degree of abnormalities concerning serum electrolytes, fluid balance, and acid-base abnormalities. The most commonly observed serum electrolyte imbalance is hypokalaemia. Replacement potassium is usually supplied intravenously. If the dificit is slight, oral replacement may be possible. Fluid balance is usually maintained via intravenous fluid therapy as determined by monitoring PCV and plasma protein. Metabolic acidosis is treated with 5 percent sodium bicarbonate administered intravenously. Broad spectrum antibiotics are usually given intravenously but may be administered intra-peritoneally. To facilitate the intravenous therapy, an indwelling silastic catheter is often employed to minimize jugular thrombosis.