Evaluation of Clinical, Laboratory and Ultrasonography Variables as Prognostic Indicators in Equine Colic Surgery

Abstract

Background: Equine colic surgery is an expensive procedure and availability of reliable prognostic indicators aid in decision making process. This study aimed to evaluate clinical, hemato-biochemistry, ultrasonography, surgery and peritoneal cytology / intestinal histology as prognostic indicators (based on strangulating vs non-strangulating lesion) for equine colic surgery. Methods: Fifteen equines {13 females and 2 males; 5 Thoroughbred, 9 Marwari and one mule} operated for intestinal colic were investigated. The feeding history, pre and post-surgery clinical, hematological and biochemical findings were recorded. Pre and post-surgery ultrasonography, peritoneal cytology and intestinal histology were done. Three equine were euthanized intra-operatively and 12 were followed for short and long term outcome. Result: On surgery, three equine were diagnosed for strangulating (right dorsal displacement of large colon, large colon volvulus and small colon strangulation) and 12 for non-strangulating colic {impaction (3), fecalith (5), sand colic (2), foreign body (1) and small intestine ileus (1)}. Detection of polymorphonuclear cells alone or with lymphocytes on peritoneal fluid cytology was indicator of good prognosis. Feeding of wheat straw is major predisposing factor for non-strangulating colic in Marwari breed but had favorable surgical prognosis (7/9=77.78%). While Thoroughbreds, not on wheat straw, are susceptible to strangulating colic that require early referral for favorable surgical outcome. Prolonged capillary refill time, injected mucous membranes, absent borborygymi, high serum creatine kinase and glucose are poor prognostic indicators for colic surgery. Thoroughbred equine with severe pain, elevated levels of Hb, neutrophils, packed cell volume (PCV), serum glucose and low peritoneal total protein are indicators of strangulating lesion. The equine colic surgery bears a very good short term (10/12=83.33%) and excellent (10/10=100%) long term outcome.