b'AAEP FORUM JACQUELINE HILL, DVM, DIPL. ACVS-LATheHorse.com/AAEP-ForumMyths About Colic SurgeryY our horse needs colic surgery.ers still report good long-term success This is the statement horse(65-75%) in these cases. Therefore, a re-owners hope they never hearsection alone does not indicate a poorer from their veterinarians. Unfortunate- prognosis or a lifetime of problems, but ly, colic, or abdominal pain, is commonit is important to consider the bowel in horses, and approximately 10% ofportion being resected and the patients cases require surgical intervention.overall health.ISABELLE BEAU DE LOMENIEImprovements in recognizing whenMore evidence needed: My horse will horses need referral to a surgical facil- always be more prone to colic after having ity, more advanced diagnostic capa- surgery The incidence of postoperative bilities, and safer anesthetic protocolscolic in the first year after hospital dis-developed over the past few decadescharge varies from 0 to 35%, depend-have improved prognoses for horsesApproximately 10% of colic cases require surgery. ing on the study. Factors that appear undergoing colic surgery.to be important in predicting postop Yet, many owners still perceive colicto their previous performance levels.colic include the bowel portion affected surgery in a negative light. They mightand the surgical procedures performed. Typically, recovery consists of around know someone whose horse had colic sur- three months of restricted exercise, withHorses undergoing surgery due to a prob-gery, or people have told them how horsesmost horses back to full exercise in fourlem with the large colon appear to be at do after it. The outcome in those cases,to five months. Most tendon or ligamenta higher risk of subsequent colics. Many instead of the facts, can heavily swayinjuries recover much more slowly. Im- will have had frequent colic episodes decisions to pursue surgery. Lets look atmonen et al. recently reviewed recordsprior to the surgical one; therefore, it is which common rumors are just myths. of 200-plus horses of varying breeds andunclear if surgery truly increases the risk Myth: My horse is too old for surgerydisciplines that had undergone colic sur- or whether these horses are just more Age is not a disease. As veterinary caregery to determine how many went back toprone to colic. Adhesions (scar tissue and horse husbandry have improved,work. They found that 84% could performbetween bowel parts or between bowel horses athletic careers and life expectan- at their previous or intended disciplinesand other abdominal organs) seem to cies have been extended. Many horsesafter surgery and 79% were performingbe more common in surgeries involving are being ridden well into their 20s, andat the same level or higher. If horses arethe small intestine and are often blamed surgical centers have seen an increasedischarged from the hospital, theres afor subsequent colic episodes. However, in colic surgeries performed on oldergood chance they can go back to theirsignificant adhesions are uncommon patients in recent years. Researchers haveprior jobs.findings on post-mortem exams and oc-even investigated whether age is a signifi- Myth: After a resection, a horse is nevercur in only 6-13% of surgeries involving cant factor in predicting outcome in adultthe same Resection and anastomosis (re- the small intestine. Generally, if a horse horses undergoing colic surgery. A Univer- moving the damaged portion of the boweldoesnt colic in the first year after surgery, sity of Pennsylvania team compared out- and putting two healthy ends together)his risk of experiencing subsequent epi-comes in mature (4-15 years old) horsesindicate surgeons encountered a moresodes is similar to that of a horse that did to those in geriatric (>20 years) horsesserious problem with the intestines duringnot have surgery.and found similar postoperative compli- surgery. More important than whetherPutting a horse through colic surgery cation incidence and survival. These andthey performed a resection, however, isis a big decision. Many horses survive other researchers have concluded that agethe section being resected. Horses appearsurgery and go back to living and per-alone is not associated with outcome andto tolerate resections involving the middleforming as they were, but each horse not a reason to decline colic surgery.of the small intestine (jejunum) muchand case is unique. So, it is important Myth: My horse will never go back tobetter than those involving its end (ileum);to discuss all the options with your vet. the same level of performance after colicrecently scientists reported survival ratesWhen making the decision, consider surgery While colic surgery is a majorof at least 75% in jejunum-only resections.factors such as diagnosis, prognosis, cost, procedure with a relatively long recovery,Large colon resections are often longer,and the emotional toll of surgery and horses can and do commonly go backmore complicated surgeries, but research- rehabilitation.hAmerican Association of Equine Practitioners, 4033 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY40511859/233-0147www.aaep.org8January 2020The Horse|TheHorse.comAAEPForum_Jan_use.indd 8 12/4/19 3:31 PM'