Received: 30 September 2023 | Accepted: 6 December 2023 DOI: 10.1111/eve.13940
OR IG INA L A R T I C L E
Preliminary study to evaluate the use of fast abdominal ultrasonography of horses with colic in first opinion ambulatory practice
Sam Corrie 1 | Kristina Chapman 1
1 CVS Ltd, Equicall, Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic , Kent , UK 2 CVS Ltd, CVS House , Norfolk , UK 3 CVS Ltd, Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic , Kent , UK
Correspondence: Tim Mair Email:
tim.mair@
btinternet.com
| Imogen Schofield 2 | Tim S. Mair 3
Summary Background : Colic is the commonest emergency in first opinion equine practice. Early re- ferral is important for horses requiring surgery. Fast localised abdominal ultrasonography of horses (FLASH) is frequently used as a diagnostic tool in the investigation of colic at referral hospitals, but its use in first opinion practice has not been evaluated. Objective : To assess the value of FLASH scanning in the primary assessment of horses with colic in the field, using a portable wireless ultrasound system. Study design : Prospective study (2018–2021). Methods : Any horse examined for colic as an emergency in a first opinion ambulatory practice was eligible for inclusion in the study. A FLASH examination was performed using a wireless handheld ultrasound scanner, with the images displayed on a smartphone or tablet. The findings on FLASH scans and the outcome of the case (recovered, referred for surgery or euthanised without referral) were recorded. Results : In total, 135 equids with acute colic were evaluated. Of the 135 horses, 49 (36%) had an abnormal finding on FLASH scanning, including distended loops of small intestine ( n = 34), thickened small intestinal walls ( n = 23) and/or distension of the stomach ( n = 7). Reduced small intestinal motility was recorded in 52 animals (38%). Follow- up informa- tion was available in all animals: 50 (37%) were euthanised due to clinical deterioration and the owners ' decision not to undertake surgery; 85/135 (63%) survived, including 5/85 (6%) that underwent surgery and 80/85 (94%) that resolved with medical management. Main limitations : Small number of cases. Lack of results of post- mortem examination of horses that were euthanised. Potential selection bias. Conclusion : The FLASH technique can be valuable in the primary assessment of horses with colic in first opinion ambulatory practice. Further evaluation with more cases is required.
INTRODUCTION
Colic is the commonest emergency condition encountered ‘out of hours’
in first opinion equine practice (Bowden, Boynova,
et al., 2020 ). It is a leading cause of death and, as a result, it is eco- nomically important, not only to the horse industry but also to in- dividual horse owners. Colic is not a diagnosis but rather a clinical syndrome indicating abdominal pain for which there are multiple
Equine Vet Educ. 2024;36:571–578.
potential causes. Affected horses should be examined and treated promptly, not only for the welfare of the animal (Desrochers & White, 2017 ) but also to allow the early identification and treat- ment of serious life- threatening conditions, thereby improving the chances of a successful outcome. Whilst a definitive diagnosis of the cause of colic can be often difficult to establish, especially at the first examination, it is vital that those cases requiring surgical and/or intensive treatment are identified early, since rapid referral of horses
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