Colic and critical care
Colic, a term used to describe abdominal pain, is one of the most common emergencies that occurs in horses. Colic can be life-threatening without surgery or intensive medical care in the most critical cases. We are renowned worldwide for our clinical expertise and research into the treatment and management of colic.
Our team of veterinary surgeons include American and European boarded specialists in internal medicine, surgery and anaesthesia. We have one of the largest colic caseloads in the UK and a highly experienced team in the medical and surgical management of these cases. We work together to provide high-level, multidisciplinary care to try to achieve the best outcomes for each of our patients and their owners.
Emergency care
Our on-call teams of experienced veterinary surgeons can provide immediate interventions for emergency admissions. This includes the ability to undertake immediate life-saving abdominal surgery, including colic surgery and caesarean section, and intensive medical critical care.
Diagnostics and monitoring
Our team can perform rapid, expert assessments to identify the severity of gastrointestinal issues and the treatment required. Initial tests will determine the likely underlying case of colic and if immediate surgery is required.
We have a range of diagnostic equipment including high-quality ultrasound machines, a range of video-endoscopes and advanced laboratory testing. We perform round-the-clock monitoring of cases in our intensive care unit. This facility has 11 stables with CCTV monitoring and includes two mare and foal stables, an examination room and an on-site laboratory for immediate blood and fluid analysis.
Surgical and medical treatment of colic
Colic can be caused by a range of different problems that require different types of treatment. Our team is experienced in managing all types of colic, including complex surgical and medical cases.
In some cases, immediate surgery is required to save a horse's life e.g. where the blood supply has been lost to part of the intestine. Delay in surgery in cases such as this can result in a worsening prognosis and increased costs of intensive care following surgery. Our specialist-led team of surgeons and anaesthetists are available round the clock to perform life-saving abdominal surgery.
Other types of colic are optimally managed using medical therapies as an initial approach. These cases are monitored closely to ensure that they are responding to therapy and once recovered, may require further tests to determine the cause of the colic episode to prevent recurrence. Surgery may be needed if horses do not respond to medication or they show signs of increasing signs of pain or other clinical deterioration.