your experience with Colic surgery outcome

[Marshfield]

I am strictly small animal now, but did an internship in equine medicine and surgery. The biggest factor to success seemed to be how long the horse had to wait (not saying owners delaying, just distance from a surgical facility) was the biggest predictor of success. I worked with a surgeon who usually need less than an hour skin to skin. Of the ones that went to the surgery table, probably more than 90% survived to discharge. And most returned to normal lives from the owner updates we got. Very different from when I was a student and the horses traveled much further. I am horseless now, but when I moved up here, knowing my proximity to New England Equine was a comfort for me

[One Two Three]

I never want to put a horse through the surgery. The rate of recurrence is too high, and in my experience, all that money, all the pain, and the almost imminent heartache are enough to just say goodbye to my friend with dignity if that's the situation I was put in.

There's a retiree at our farm. He has stolen my heart. I recently found out that he's been through 3 colic surgeries and has approximately 1/4 of his intestines remaining. He has also been through 3 suspensory tears. I don't fault his owner for putting him through all these surgeries, he won her a LOT of grand prix classes, and she had the money to burn through. But his end of life has been less than desirable. He now has full blown spleen cancer. His spleen is large and HARD and full of cancer. Due to the many previous surgeries, there's nothing more to do for him, and we are slowly watching him die. All the calories in the world won't save him, as he (rather quickly, actually) becomes a skeleton. His intestines aren't functional enough to absorb nutrients to feed his body, and if the cancer doesn't kill him, the vet said starvation will. Apparently he's not in pain, because he IS being fed wholesome good food, but his body just can't absorb what he needs.

[sid]

#1: Years ago my 9 year old, 4 month PG mare had a torsion colic. 18ft of small intestine was removed. I was told her chances of recovery were slim, which is often the case when that much small intestine in removed. She did, and also held on to her pregnancy. At 7/12 months a repeat, but no resection -- the colic was a result of adhesions from her prior surgery. Again, she survived as did her pregnancy (nothing short of a miracle). But because she was so pendulous and with her incision tyring to heal, she was put in a belly band and I shipped her to the high risk mare center at New Bolton. The foal was eventually taken by C-section (term enough) as her incision wasn't holding. Again, she was not expected to survive as they weren't sure they could stitch her back. She did...sadly, the foal died of pneumonia a week later. My mare lived to be 24 years old with no other problems. She died of Cushing's. Obviously, I never tried to breed her again, fearing the adhesion problem. She had quite the will to LIVE! Thank God she was insured.

#2: Impaction colic surgery on a 7 yr old gelding...no resection needed. Recovered without incident and no repeats. He died of other causes at age 13.

#3: Boarder's horse had a rotated colon (180 degrees) that damaged part of the small intestine. Surgery requiring a small resection. He had a repeat 4 months later, presumabley due to adhesions from the prior surgery. The owner opted to let him go than put him through it again.

[Foxtrot's]

Big Ben is the poster boy of successful colic surgeries...he returned to full work as a Grand Prix jumper and had two (?) surgeries.

Over the years the success rates have gone up considerably, but so have the costs.

Repeat colic would be my biggest fear.

But we have decided in cold blood that we would not go for surgery if it ever became a decision I had to make. It would be very difficult not to bet the farm on my horse, but we do not have to funds really, the recovery can be difficult and the decision has been made between my husband and I.

We are very lucky to have a lot of superb vets close to us so travel would not be a factor if we got in early.

"Never let the sun set on a colic" -- sign in the vet's office.

One thing thata can prevent colic is never to make big changes in a horse's feed - vet told me it can take three weeks for the gut to re-grow its bacteria. That includes too much early Spring grass.

[vicarious]

Years ago I knew a horse that had lost 25 feet of small intestine, recovered completely, was winning at UL competitions. Horse later died midst competition of arterial rupture, probably an aneurysm.

[DQ01]

My mare had colic surgery 7 months ago. She's 11 years old, had never colicked before. Right dorsal displacement and a twisted large colon. I am so grateful I had her insured and decided to have the surgery. Once she was back on her feet it was all up hill from there. I caught her colic symptoms right away and decided to just get her straight to the clinic. She was there for 7 hours before they called to say she needed surgery. Getting her to the clinic early and being able to make that decision quickly saved her I'm sure.
Now we're back in the saddle at the same level we were at before her surgery, looking forward to a summer of trail rides and shows and just enjoying her because I am grateful for every day with her.

[sid]

Big Ben is the poster boy of successful colic surgeries...he returned to full work as a Grand Prix jumper and had two (?) surgeries.

Over the years the success rates have gone up considerably, but so have the costs.

Repeat colic would be my biggest fear.

But we have decided in cold blood that we would not go for surgery if it ever became a decision I had to make. It would be very difficult not to bet the farm on my horse, but we do not have to funds really, the recovery can be difficult and the decision has been made between my husband and I.

We are very lucky to have a lot of superb vets close to us so travel would not be a factor if we got in early.

"Never let the sun set on a colic" -- sign in the vet's office.

One thing thata can prevent colic is never to make big changes in a horse's feed - vet told me it can take three weeks for the gut to re-grow its bacteria. That includes too much early Spring grass.

This quite true for impactions. Twists or torsion colics are a whole different ball game and are spontaneous, unless of course an impaction wasn't noted or heeded with treatment.

Torsions are also not a result of rolling around. Just want to make that clarification.

[DQ01]

This quite true for impactions. Twists or torsion colics are a whole different ball game and are spontaneous, unless of course an impaction wasn't noted or heeded with treatment.

Torsions are also not a result of rolling around. Just want to make that clarification.

Sid, could you explain more about torsions not being a result of rolling? My mare had a torsion and for 7 months it's been on my shoulders thinking it was my fault because in my moment of panic, I put her in her stall while I phoned the vet and she rolled. I'd sure feel better knowing I didn't do anything wrong. (I do know you should keep them walking, weird what panic does to you. After the phone call she was walked until we hauled her to the clinic).

[Fharoah]

I greatly appreciate all the stories on this thread. Watching my horse gallop today doing flying changes, it's been exactly two weeks since I nearly lost him. I am blessed to still have him in my life.

[doublesstable]

I know of several colic surgeries that all went well and the horses lived very long after. Some were stones, some twists, some impactions. The ones with resections or polyp type issues did have some recurring colic pains but didn't need second surgeries.

One of my horses was at a boarding barn and they had auto waterers and it broke. He went to surgery and had an 8 ft long feed impaction. He was 5 then and lived until he was 15 (lost him to injury) But he didn't have any issues with the surgery acted like it never happened and was perfect for a long time.

Just last month one of my other horses had surgery, caught it quickly... he had a left dorsal displacement due to gas. Of course I worry of recurrence. I have put him on supplements for hind gut health and keep a hay net in his stall and say a lot of prayers. He's only 7 and healthy so I felt it was the right thing to do.

I think with each horse it must be a personal choice depending on their age, health, cost etc. It really depends.

The horses I have seen that have undergone surgery didn't seem painful after and healed well.

[sid]

Sid, could you explain more about torsions not being a result of rolling? My mare had a torsion and for 7 months it's been on my shoulders thinking it was my fault because in my moment of panic, I put her in her stall while I phoned the vet and she rolled. I'd sure feel better knowing I didn't do anything wrong. (I do know you should keep them walking, weird what panic does to you. After the phone call she was walked until we hauled her to the clinic).

My vet, as well as the surgeons told me this.

The reason to keep walking them is to keep them from rolling and injuring themselves from pain (not to prevent a torsion).

Typically when they have a torsion they can start to crash to the ground and sometimes thrash -- particularly dangerous in a stall where they can get cast or injure the handler.

Dismiss any guilt you may feel. The torsion is what causes them to roll due to pain, the rolling doesn't cause the torsion.

[DQ01]

I think I'll start sleeping a bit better at night, thank you!

My vet, as well as the surgeons told me this.

The reason to keep walking them is to keep them from rolling and injuring themselves from pain (not to prevent a torsion).

Typically when they have a torsion they can start to crash to the ground and sometimes thrash -- particularly dangerous in a stall where they can get cast or injure the handler.

Dismiss any guilt you may feel. The torsion is what causes them to roll due to pain, the rolling doesn't cause the torsion.

[2tempe]

This quite true for impactions. Twists or torsion colics are a whole different ball game and are spontaneous, unless of course an impaction wasn't noted or heeded with treatment.

Torsions are also not a result of rolling around. Just want to make that clarification.

Sid - I was told same by surgeon and other vet. So basically no matter how well the horse is managed from a feed perspective, this could still occur. I asked the vets which came first - gas build up causes displacement, or displacement occurs and gas builds up as a result. Never got a clear answer to that question either.

[GoneAway]

My mare underwent surgery in Dec 2012 for a large colon displacement to the left. "simple" surgery; she was discharged after 3 days and $5k. Recovered very well, and was back to dressage work fairly quickly.

In July of 2013 she displaced again, this time to the right, around the cecum. I said yes again, same initial results. Since that surgery, she has not been quite the same - nothing I can put a finger on, but after a couple vet evaluations, we sort of think there is scar tissue or something like that going on. She is rideable, but just doesn't feel the same.

She has had two minor colic events, resolved at the barn, and most recently a bout of enteritis. The last was also resolved at the barn, but was a big deal from a medical perspective (lots of iv fluids, 3 antibiotics). Had she shown any material signs of pain I would have put her down, but she just looked mildly yukky and wasn't eating. No elevated heart rate, only a slight fever for a day or so.

Her issues seem to be on about a 6-7 month schedule. I have been told by two vets that she is a high risk for another displacement. She is done w/ surgery of any kind, and I have instructions re that both with the vet and barn owner. She is 13. It sucks.

Sounds like my mare. She had an episode of nephrosplenic entrapment (large colon flipped up and got stuck on the ligament between the kidneys and spleen) in 1999. Surgery was very straightforward, but she spent about four weeks in the hospital because of a post-op infection. She had another episode two years later which was also surgical (after a couple hours of non-surgical methods to correct it). The second surgery was textbook including recovery.

She was never "quite right" after the second surgery. We were doing 3'6", but she started having issues doing lead changes and just didn't feel as rideable. She was also almost 16 years old, I needed to move up, and she couldn't go further, so we leased her to someone else. She actually lived five more years with no major colic episodes (just the occasional minor gas colic) until she had a third NE at age 20 and I had her put down. She had already been through two, had lived a good life, and I didn't want to put her through it all again. I hope your mare defies the vets and goes a long stretch without needing anything. It definitely sucks to be told that, especially where your girl is younger.

[sid]

Sid - I was told same by surgeon and other vet. So basically no matter how well the horse is managed from a feed perspective, this could still occur. I asked the vets which came first - gas build up causes displacement, or displacement occurs and gas builds up as a result. Never got a clear answer to that question either.

Sadly, there's probably no way to know for sure. That said, in aged horses, I suspect tumors may be the culprit. But we do that was the case for my beloved, Boleem, Babe and Chelsea -- 27, 28 and 31 in age respectively.

Oddly, the PG mare I referenced in my first post was due to adhesions (for the first surgery). I was miffed because they don't have them unless they'd had a prior surgery and to my knowledge she had not (I got her as a 7 year old maiden).

After that first surgery, thee surgeon noted that when she opened her up she had no belly-button, which indicated she'd had an umbilical hernia as a foal and had surgery...thus the adhesions. BTW, she carried her first foal to term without problem (my stallion King's Camelot who is a proud 23 years old this year..).

It is assumed that in the second pregnancy the presence of the foal pushed things around and her adhesions from her foal surgery created the twist (thus my not taking a chance on breeding her again). Luck of the draw, adhesions are. May be a problem for some, and others never. As I said, she lived to be 24 and died of Cushing's related issues.

The only thing we DO know is that the reason once a horse has had colic surgery and it is said they can repeat, is not because they are prone in some "inborne" way, other than they could have adhesions from the original surgery. There is no way to manage that dietarily or otherwise.

It's a crap shoot. Not sure I explained that very well.

[ArabDiva]

My vet, as well as the surgeons told me this.

The reason to keep walking them is to keep them from rolling and injuring themselves from pain (not to prevent a torsion).

Typically when they have a torsion they can start to crash to the ground and sometimes thrash -- particularly dangerous in a stall where they can get cast or injure the handler.

Dismiss any guilt you may feel. The torsion is what causes them to roll due to pain, the rolling doesn't cause the torsion.

Sid - I was told same by surgeon and other vet. So basically no matter how well the horse is managed from a feed perspective, this could still occur. I asked the vets which came first - gas build up causes displacement, or displacement occurs and gas builds up as a result. Never got a clear answer to that question either.

Thank you for both of these posts.
I lost a mare 3 weeks ago to a torsion.

I keep beating myself up over things I could have done to prevent it. At least I can cross this one off the list (i.e. "if I had gotten to her sooner, she wouldn't have rolled as much and gotten a torsion")

Mare was fine at night check, munching her hay, in the AM she was wild with pain.
I had already decided that surgery was not an option (21 YO, beloved family member but not highly trained) so when it became quite evident that this was a torsion and unlikely to resolve itself, I let her go around 2 PM.

I still wonder if there was something I missed at night check, or if I should have given her a few more hours to see if it would resolve.

This thread has been comforting to me, everyone. I feel like I made the right choice (not to go to surgery.) I think for this particular horse the recovery would have been super rough (coming home in 12f temps) and I don't think I could bear putting her through that pain.

[Highflyer]

Sometimes, especially in older horses with no prior history, it can also be a lipoma, a benign fatty tumor that wraps around and cuts off blood flow to the intestines. It's such a crap shoot, and you really can do everything right and still lose.

[sid]

I'm so sorry for your loss...it's still so fresh for you.

Clearly, good management can prevent impaction colics and we should do out utmost to prevent them. Lots of turnout, fresh clean water, and excellent forage doled out to match their nomadic, grazing habits for their habits, and relatively small stomachs for their size.

Torsions always leave the owner who had done all this and it happens without explanation asking..."what did I do wrong"? Don't let yourself go there anymore. It was out of your hands, provided you did the rest right.

Hugs.

Susan

[sid]

Sometimes, especially in older horses with no prior history, it can also be a lipoma, a benign fatty tumor that wraps around and cuts off blood flow to the intestines. It's such a crap shoot, and you really can do everything right and still lose.

Yes. I suspect those were the culprit in the my old friends mentioned in my last post. I'm just so glad I had them all those years and they when showed catasrophic and fast symptoms during the day when I was here...and get the vet here and let them go as fast as possible to relieve their agony.

While I didn't feel that way at first having dealt with the "fast loss"...time and perspective has helped me see it was a gift to be here at the time it happened.

[sid]

Thank you for both of these posts.
I lost a mare 3 weeks ago to a torsion.

I keep beating myself up over things I could have done to prevent it. At least I can cross this one off the list (i.e. "if I had gotten to her sooner, she wouldn't have rolled as much and gotten a torsion")

Mare was fine at night check, munching her hay, in the AM she was wild with pain.
I had already decided that surgery was not an option (21 YO, beloved family member but not highly trained) so when it became quite evident that this was a torsion and unlikely to resolve itself, I let her go around 2 PM.

I still wonder if there was something I missed at night check, or if I should have given her a few more hours to see if it would resolve.

This thread has been comforting to me, everyone. I feel like I made the right choice (not to go to surgery.) I think for this particular horse the recovery would have been super rough (coming home in 12f temps) and I don't think I could bear putting her through that pain.

Don't beat yourself up...torsions do not just "resolve". And remember, there is no guarantee she would have even made it onto the table and perhaps succumbed in the trailer or at the clinic. Better she was at home with you.

IMO, You did exactly the right thing for your friend.