title: Recurrent colic in the mature horse: a retrospective review of 58 cases.
abstract: The clinical features of 58 horses presenting with recurrent colic examined over a 5 year period were reviewed. The horses were categorised into 3 groups on the basis of the history of colic episodes. Recurrent transient colic Group 1 was characterised by 3 or more episodes of transient colic (of apparently similar type) occurring within one month. Recurrent transient colic Group 2 was characterised by 3 or more episodes of transient colic occurring within one year. Recurrent prolonged colic was characterised by 3 or more episodes of prolonged colic occurring within one year. Fifteen horses were classified as recurrent transient colic Group 1. This group had the highest mortality rate 53%. They included 3 horses with lymphosarcoma, 2 with intussusceptions, 2 with thromboembolic disease/verminous arteritis and 2 with partial ileal obstructions. The recurrent transient colic Group 2 comprised 27 cases with a mortality rate of 4%. Nine of these horses were affected by spasmodic colic. The recurrent prolonged group involved 16 horses with a mortality rate of 31%. These included 3 cases of recurrent colonic impaction and 2 cases each of lymphosarcoma, 2 thromboembolic disease, 2 partial ileal obstructions and 2 intestinal adhesions.
authors.affiliation: Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, Mereworth, Maidstone, Kent, UK.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hillyer
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Mair
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001167:Arteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D003085:Colic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006736:Horses; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D015994:Incidence; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D007443:Intussusception / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome