Nutritional Considerations for the Colic Patient - Proceedings of AAEP Focus Meeting - Quebec, 2005

There is limited knowledge of the benefits and complications associated with different modes of nutritional support in horses recovering from colic, and further clinical studies are required to facilitate refinement of feeding recommendations. However, there is evidence in humans and other species that protein and energy malnutrition can have deleterious effects on recovery from critical illness such as abdominal surgery and, on this basis, there is rationale for early enteral or parenteral support of horses recovering from colic surgery. The mode of nutritional support will depend on the underlying cause of colic, whether or not complications arise during convalescence, and the horse’s appetite. Although enteral feeding is the most cost effective method of nutritional support, parenteral nutrition is required for horses with ongoing intestinal dysfunction (i.e. ileus, dysmotility, gastric reflux). In horses with adequate gastrointestinal function, small and frequent feedings should be offered as soon as 12-24 hours after surgery. High quality grass hay or a low-bulk complete feed should be fed to horses recovering from large intestinal problems, while horses with small intestinal problems requiring resection and anastomosis may require soft mash or slurry diets fed for 2-4 days post-surgery, followed by a gradual reintroduction to normal diet. Long-term modification of diet is required following radical resection of the small or large intestine.