Post Op Care of Colic Surgery

Post-Op Care for Colic Surgery in Horses

by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Introduction

Introduction » Before Leaving the Hospital » Monitoring Vital Signs. » Monitoring The Abdominal Incision » Enforced Rest » Feeding » Exercise » More Info & Discussions

When your horse is released from the hospital you will be given specific instructions that you should follow to the letter. Variations from our recommendations will be due to specific circumstances of your case like size of the incision, quality of the tissues repaired, and your horses innate ability to heal. The following is a overview of common recommendations including:
  • Monitoring your horses attitude appetite and vital signs
  • Monitoring and care of the abdominal incision
  • Enforced rest
  • Feeding
  • Reintroduction to Exercise

Before Leaving the Hospital

Introduction » Before Leaving the Hospital » Monitoring Vital Signs. » Monitoring The Abdominal Incision » Enforced Rest » Feeding » Exercise » More Info & Discussions

Before leaving the hospital you should examine your horse and the incision with the equine surgeon so you can get an idea of where you are starting and have any questions about answered. There are 5 important aspects of care you should discuss with your surgeon at discharge and before your horse returns home:
  • Monitoring your horses attitude appetite and vital signs
  • Monitoring and care of the abdominal incision
  • Enforced rest
  • Feeding
  • Reintroduction to Exercise
Having a good idea of the baseline on your horse's attitude, appetite, vital signs, and appearance of the incision makes recognizing changes easier. The earlier changes for the worse are identified the more likely they can be easily resolved.

Monitoring Vital Signs.

Introduction » Before Leaving the Hospital » Monitoring Vital Signs. » Monitoring The Abdominal Incision » Enforced Rest » Feeding » Exercise » More Info & Discussions

                       
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