Determination of the acid-base status in 50 horses admitted with colic between December 1998 and May 1999

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the acid-base status an d the concentration of organic acids in horses with colic caused by various disorders. Blood samples were collected from 50 horses with colic and from 20 controls. No intravenous fluids had been given prior to sample collecti on. Identified causes of colic included gastric ulceration, small intestina l volvulus, cecal intussusception, cecal rupture, colonic impaction, left d orsal colon displacement, right dorsal colon displacement, colonic volvulus , colitis, peritonitis, and uterine torsion. Thirty-seven horses recovered from treatment of colic, 8 horses were euthanized, and 5 died. Most cases w ere not in severe metabolic acidosis. In previous studies, most horses pres ented for diagnosis and treatment of colic were in metabolic acidosis and i n shock.