Equine nutrition in the post‐operative colic: Survey of Diplomates of the American Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine and Veterinary Surgeons, and European Colleges of Equine Internal Medicine and Veterinary Surgeons

BACKGROUND: Evidence is lacking concerning re‐introduction of feed and water following colic surgery. OBJECTIVES: To describe current approaches of European and American specialists to re‐introduction of feed and water in adult horses following surgical treatment of common intestinal lesions, assuming an uncomplicated recovery. STUDY DESIGN: Cross‐sectional survey. METHODS: Electronic invitations, with a link to the online survey, were sent to 1,430 large animal specialists, including Diplomates of the ECVS, ACVS, ECEIM and ACVIM colleges. RESULTS: The response rate was 12.6% including partial respondent data. Responses for each multiple‐choice question were between 123 and 178. Results are expressed as the percentage of the total number of responses and as a range where specific lesions are grouped together. Respondents reported that horses with large intestinal displacements were offered free choice water (63%‐65%) within 3 hours (55%‐63%), whereas horses with a small intestinal strangulating lesion were offered < 2 L water (64%‐74%) 12‐24 hours (28%‐34%) post‐operatively. Horses with a large colon displacement were offered feed within 3 hours of surgery (16%) with the majority offered feed 6‐12 hours (35%‐36%) post‐operatively. Horses with small intestinal strangulating lesions and small colon lesions were offered feed 24‐48 hours (34%‐42%) after surgery. Following small intestinal, small colon or caecal lesions, horses were re‐introduced feed in handfuls (79%‐93%) and initially with grass (41%‐54%). Horses with large colon displacements were mostly fed handfuls (49%‐50%) of forage initially, but a number of respondents would offer larger quantities such as a small bucket (35%‐37%) and predominantly of hay (50%‐51%). MAIN LIMITATIONS: Low response rate. This study did not take into account common post‐operative complications that may alter the clinical approach. CONCLUSIONS: This post‐operative colic nutrition survey is the first to describe current clinical practice. Further research is required to investigate nutritional strategies in post‐operative colic cases.