The decision whether or not to send your horse to colic surgery can be an extremely confusing and stressful one. Wondering about the outcome can leave you feeling anxious and uncertain about your horse’s future. But don’t worry- we’ve separated the facts from the fiction so you can make the most informed choice, together with your veterinarian, about what’s best for your horse and for you.
Fact or Fiction? Horses can return to their previous workload and competition after colic surgery
Fact. Thanks to improvements in surgery techniques, suture materials, and anti-inflammatory medications, horses are recovering from colic surgery better than ever before. In fact, horses can return to their previous level of performance after colic surgery, even at the highest levels of activity and competition.1
Fact or Fiction? Horses over the age of 16 are too old for colic surgery
Fiction. While many horse owners believe that older horses should not undergo major surgery, those without health conditions (i.e. Cushing’s) typically tolerate it well. Horses older than 16 years, even those in their late 20s to early 30s, can handle general anesthesia and colic surgery well and have postoperative survival rates comparable to those of younger horses.1
Fact or Fiction? Early recognition and prompt surgery referral are critical factors to colic surgery success
Fact. Prompt and accurate diagnosis, referral, and surgery without delay are key factors that influence the outcome of colic surgery, as well as the cost of treatment.1 For this reason, it’s a good idea to think about whether or not your horse is a surgical candidate before the time comes to make that difficult decision.
Fact or Fiction? Colic surgery always costs tens of thousands of dollars
Fiction. The cost of colic surgery depends on the severity of your horse’s condition, type of colic, and where in the country you’re located. Claims filed through SmartPak’s ColiCare™ program indicate that the average cost of colic surgery, including pre- and post-operative care, is $7,800.2 In addition, horse owners now have multiple options to help defray the cost of colic surgery, from insurance policies to colic surgery reimbursement programs.
1. History of colic surgery and a look to the future. David E. Freeman, MVB, MRCVS, PhD, DACVS
AAEP Proceedings Vol 60 2014 pp 193-204.
2. Data on file.
Really enjoy reading your fact or fiction. One can never have enough input when it comes to horses.
Are there any studies that have tracked what the outcomes are for horses that have had colic surgery say 3, 5 & 7 years out? And what is the colic recurrence rate post op > than one year out?
Every individual I have come into contact with that has had horses have succesful colic surgery has ultimatley lost their horse to colic within 5 years. Really curious to see if there are any studies about is. Thank you.
My thoroughbred filly had two colic surgeries within 7 days of each other in 2004 when she was four years old. The second surgery was a complication (impacted cecum) from the first. There was no re-section in either surgery. The year following her surgery was not easy. Because of the surgeries, I was hyper aware of any stress with her. After the third emergency vet every 28 days (like clockwork), the female vet on call decided to do a reproductive exam first and she discovered my filly was ovulating. What we assumed was colic was more reproductive in nature, at least that time and I learned how to manage her ovulation cycles with good results.
ELEVEN years later…Saratoga is now a very healthy and active mare of 15 years old. It is possible with a well balanced lifestyle of nutrition, exercise, play, vet wellness care and love. She is also a chestnut which I am convinced have just a little stronger will to thrive.
I have a 10 yo mare that has had the same issues. We wenr through a few episodes before my vet determined she was having severe estrus pain. I’ve also had to remove alfalfa frim her diet which was causing gut pain in parallel with the ovary pain. Unfortunately, a year ago the ovary pain manifested into colic because she rolled and caused a gut twist. She survived but the event made it clear that I have to keep a keen eye out for the ovary pain and treat it immediately.
My horse had colic surgery at 15yrs for a torsion twist. He’s now 25 and still trail riding and showing walk/trot with youngsters and doing fine. My vet says the success is due in part to the fact that they didn’t have to cut into the gut…..just untwist it. He is half-arab and his barrel has always been a little rounder than before the surgery.
My guy had colic surgery for an impaction almost 4 years ago. We just lost him and it was due to cancer,NOT colic!! He had the surgery at 27 and passed at the age of 31. Otherwise he was a healthy as a horse!!
This is great information, especially having a horse that has had colic twice in the last year. I have also switched my horses SmartPaks to the new SmartPakGIGut for more protection. Thanks so much for supplying such valuable information.
Katie Glenn
I have not heard of the new SmartPak GI Gut. What can you tell me about it? My horse has had colic three times in three years. She is on Smart Digest Ultra now (has been for almost 2 years). Should I be switching her to something new?
My guy had colic surgery for an impaction almost 4 years ago. We just lost him and it was due to cancer,NOT colic!! He had the surgery at 27 and passed at the age of 31. Otherwise he was a healthy as a horse!!
I would also be interested in the statistics of survival post colic surgery: survival of the surgery itself, one year out, and several years after surgery.