Colic: research
Post-operative ileus, which means a decreased gastrointestinal motility after surgery, is a frequently encountered problem. It is predominantly seen after surgical intervention of the small intestines and result in fluid (reflux) accumulation in the stomach with a risk for stomach rupture. Despite intensive fluid therapy, regular emptying of the stomach and medical treatment, horses with ileus have an increased risk (>30%) for death.
Research at our department on ileus has identified specific risk factors and new drugs to reduce the risk (4x) for ileus.