title: Evaluation of the colic in horses: decision for referral.
abstract: This article presents an overview of key factors that should alert the practitioner toward referral of a colic patient to a facility capable of surgical exploration or intensive medical management. Discussion includes a review of important aspects of colic history, signalment, physical examination findings, and diagnostic test results that indicate that a more serious medical or surgical condition exists, and advanced therapy is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 736 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Vanessa L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biological Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. Electronic address: dhassel@colostate.edu.
authors.forename: Diana M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hassel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003085:Colic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006736:Horses; D012017:Referral and Consultation
keywords: Colic; Diagnostic tests; Evaluation; Horse