Table 3 Mean (range) values for clinical variables in 120 horses diagnosed with primary left ventral large colon and/or pelvic flexure impaction from a prospective survey of veterinary practitioner’s primary assessment of equine colic. Cases were categorised by outcome as simple medical (resolved with single treatment), complicated medical (resolved with multiple medical treatments) and critical (required surgery, were euthanased or died).
Clinical variables (n=number of horses) | Mean value (Range) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
All cases of primary large colon impaction | Simple medical cases | Complicated medical cases | Critical cases | |
Heart rate (beats/minute) (n=119) | 43 (26-88) | 42 (26-80)* | 41 (26-80)* | 56 (36-88)* |
Respiration rate (breaths/minute) (n=112) | 18 (8-70) | 17 (8-70) | 17 (8-60) | 21 (12-60) |
Rectal temperature (°C) (n=103) | 37.45 (36.0-39.0) | 37.44 (36.0-39.0) | 37.37 (36.0-38.3) | 37.55 (37.0-38.0) |
Total pain score (n=120) | 4.6 (0-13) | 4.5 (0-13) | 4.6 (0-13) | 6.0 (2-10) |
Total gut sounds (n=120) | 5.3 (0-12) | 5.5 (0-12)** | 5.0 (0-12)** | 3.4 (0-8)** |