Colic is a serious health concern for horses recovering from a variety of surgeries, illnesses, or injuries. Researchers are working to understand which conditions pose the biggest colic risk and to identify associated risk factors. Recently researchers took a closer look at colic in ocular disease patients.

Ceri Sherlock, BVetMed, MS, Dipl. ACVS, MRCVS, and colleagues at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Veterinary Medicine, recently completed a study aimed at identifying the prevalence of and potential risk factors for colic in horses hospitalized for ocular (eye) disease.

Sherlock, who is currently a resident in diagnostic imaging at Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic and The University of London in England, explained that any hospitalized horses are likely at risk for colic development due to changes in management, exercise, and diet associated with hospital care and recent transport to the clinic.

"Horses with ocular disease commonly require prolonged treatment and often receive medications such as sedatives, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and topical atropine (used to dilate the eye), all of which have been associated with changes in gastrointestinal motility or colic," she added