Gastrointestinal Surgery
Finding a horse with colic is often a horse owner's worst nightmare. Fortunately, of all the horses experiencing colic, less than 10% will require lifesaving surgical intervention.
Colic surgery involves exploration of the horses' abdomen to identify and correct the cause of the abdominal pain. With advances in surgical technique and anaesthesia, the chances of success with colic surgery averages between 70 – 80% - depending upon the causative condition. Early surgical intervention before the horse seriously deteriorates is one of the most important aspects of success with colic surgery.
At the Oakey Vet Hospital, we have a team of surgeons, anaesthetists and nursing staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to evaluate the horse with colic, and guide you through the surgical process should it become necessary – sometimes the surgical option may be your horse's only choice.
Please contact our surgeons for further advice.