Abdominal surgery
Between 100 and 130 acute colic cases are admitted to the Hospital each year.
Many respond successfully to intensive medical therapy but approximately 50 horses per year undergo an emergency exploratory laparotomy.
Good survival rates for these cases are helped greatly by prompt referrals. Surgeons are supported by a team comprising a senior medic, a veterinary resident and 5 final year students on intensive care duty who work through the night.
Laparoscopy is used in some cases as an aid in the diagnosis and treatment of recurrent/low grade colic or weight loss.
This article was published on Nov 3, 2009