Equine Colic Types

Age group and colics

Neonates

Foals are commonly affected by meconium impactions. These typically respond quickly to enemas. Lethal white foals, on the other hand, have defects in the myenteric ganglion and are not treatable. Other congenital anomalies tend to be found in neonates.

Neonates and Periparturient Mares, Vet Clin Equine 39 (2023) 351–379

Juveniles

Young horses are more prone to

  • ascarid impactions
  • SI volvulus
  • intussusception
  • proliferative enteropathy
  • foreign bodies
  • duodenal ulceration
  • cecal tympany
  • herniation
  • perirectal abscesses

Differentials include enteritis and uroperitoneum

Seniors

Horses over 15 yo are more prone to

  • Strangulating lipomas
  • Neoplasia
  • Cecal impactions
  • Small colon impactions

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Large Animal Surgery - Supplemental Notes Copyright © by Erin Malone, DVM, PhD is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.