ABSTRACT
Preanesthetic Assessment Recognition of abnormalities in a horse with colic allows the veterinarian to manage anesthesia in ways to avoid or limit adverse situations. The goals of pre-anesthetic evaluation are to assess the horse’s status regarding: 1) treatments to ensure adequate cardiovascular function after induction of anesthesia, 2) the optimal reduction in dose rates of anesthetic agents, and 3) treatment strategies for complications likely to be encountered. The most relevant aspects of pre-anesthetic evaluation of a colicky horse are its breed, age, and weight, reproductive status, current demeanor, degree of abdominal distention, mucous membrane color and capillary refill time (CRT), pulse strength, cardiac sounds, laboratory test results, and the anticipated surgical lesion.
