Comprehensive Evaluation of Biomarkers, Imaging, and Surgical Management in Equine Colic

Colic remains one of the most significant and challenging emergencies in equine medicine, affecting horse welfare and causing considerable economic loss worldwide. As a multifactorial condition, colic arises from a wide spectrum of gastrointestinal abnormalities—from simple spasms to life-threatening strangulating obstructions—making rapid recognition and accurate diagnosis essential. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the etiology, risk factors, diagnostic strategies, and therapeutic approaches to equine colic. Through a structured search of major veterinary databases, recent evidence was gathered to clarify how management practices, diet, anatomy, and environmental changes contribute to disease onset. Diagnostic advancements, including biomarkers such as lactate, SAA, IL-۶, and I-FABP, are highlighted for their growing value in assessing lesion severity and predicting surgical outcomes. The review also outlines the medical stabilization of colic patients, emphasizing analgesia, fluid therapy, gastric decompression, and targeted medical management. Additionally, it will provides an updated overview of surgical decision-making and essential intraoperative principles, with particular attention to advancements in minimally invasive techniques that have improved survival and postoperative recovery. By integrating clinical, diagnostic, and surgical perspectives, this review aims to support veterinarians in making informed, timely decisions that optimize prognosis and enhance the quality of care for horses with colic.

کلیدواژه ها:

Inflammatory biomarkers ، Diagnostic imaging ، Surgical intervention ، Clinical evaluation ، Disease progression ، Therapeutic outcomes