Colic

Colic is defined as simply being 'abdominal pain'. It is not a diagnosis in itself, purely a clinical sign of an underlying problem. It may be manifest as one of the following.

inappropriate recumbency
flank watching/kicking
abnormal posture
rolling
depression
restless walking
stretching to urinate

Some causes of colic can be fairly easily diagnosed after clinical examination, and the primary aim of the initial examination is to identify those cases with a mild or uncomplicated disease process from those which require further investigation and/or surgery. It is important to bear in mind that disorders associated with colic are dynamic and rapid, with progressive change of the condition commonly occurring. At each examination the veterinary surgeon may have to alter their diagnosis and/or change the treatment plan to deal with the developing situation. The majority of colic cases are however relatively mild and respond to painkilling therapy.

Colic can be caused by a wide variety of problems such as spasmodic colic, impaction, gut stricture, tumours, adhesions of the bowel, infection (enteritis, peritonitis etc), grass sickness, abnormal twisting of bowel, displacement of the bowel, herniation, parasites, inflammatory, or ulcerative disorders.

In approaching a diagnosis your veterinary surgeon will consider the age, sex, breed, management factors, breeding history (if relevant), previous medical history, nature of the current problem, duration, progression, faecal production, degree and location of pain, abdominal distension, temperature, gut movement, and cardiovascular status. In carrying out this assessment rectal palpation, stomach tubing, blood tests, and sampling the peritoneal fluid (abdominal fluid) may provide important information.

Treatment depends entirely on the presumptive diagnosis, in mild colic painkillers/antiflammatories are often sufficient. Drugs to slow, or speed up, intestinal movement are frequently employed, as are compounds to prevent a generalised toxaemia developing secondary to bowel damage. Dehydration may require intravenous fluid therapy for correction. Antibiotics should only be used in cases of colic developing as a result of bacterial infection.

In those cases which do not respond to medical therapy, or a definite diagnosis has been made of a surgical condition then surgery is the next step. Frequently this requires referral to a specialist centre.

It is pointless to attempt to give a comprehensive explanation of colic, the possible causes, symptoms, and treatments here. Every case can be different, always rely on your veterinary surgeon for advice on each individual case.