Colic in the horse. A clinical and clinical chemical study of 42 cases

42 horses were examined. The physical signs with relation to circulatory insufficiency and the abdominal disease were registered following a two-phased examination procedure. Great prognostic value was found in the degree of circulatory insufficiency judged by pulse rate and character, filling of the jugular vein, skin temperature, colour of mucous membranes, capillary refill time, sweating, depression, skin turgor and degree of enophthalmus. In making a causal diagnosis the abdomen was examined for shape, tenderness, peristaltic sounds, gastric dilation by siphoning, abnormal rectal findings and macroscopic changes in peritoneal fluid. Greatest diagnostic difficulties were encountered in cases of intestinal atonia, acute enteritis and torsion of the colon. In selected (severe) cases laboratory tests were obtained. Blood samples were examined for packed cell volume, hemoglobin, red and white blood cell counts, differential white blood cell count, blood gases and acid-base status, lactate, serum total protein and albumin, plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, glucose, creatinine, BUN, total bilirubin, ASAT, CK, BASP and GGT. Peritoneal fluid was examined for red blood and white cell counts, total protein, specific gravity, pH and lactate, and enzymes as in blood. Laboratory results generally confirmed the clinical signs of shock, and packed cell volume and blood lactate were regarded to be of greatest prognostic interest. Although the performed laboratory information, macroscopic evaluation was thought to reveal sufficient information in most cases. It was concluded that supervening shock is of decisive importance in severe forms of colic, and that a careful and repeated evaluation of the circulatory insufficiency often provides one with a tentative prognosis although the final diagnosis is not obtained. In spite of therapy fatal outcome was found in all seriously shocked horses.