THROMBOTIC COLIC 97 



flatulence has been added to the clinical picture, and 

 there is now either a diarrhoea or frequent evacuations of 

 feces of normal consistency. At times there is a trace of 

 bloody mucus mixed with or covering these. 



In treating the case now volatile oils may be admin- 

 istered internally, and anodyne or analgesic agents which 

 are used should be such as do not constipate. The attack 

 may yet terminate favorably at the end of a few hours, 

 or it may hang on for several days. 



If the thrombus does not yield, or if the regional ves- 

 sels do not carry the load for the thrombotic vessel, the 

 case becomes serious. We then get either intestinal 

 paralysis, or enteritis. When paralysis of a section of 

 the intestine occurs the symptoms suddenly change. The 

 horse ceases to exhibit signs of acute pain, but gives evi- 

 dence, on the other hand, of dull, drowsy uneasiness. 

 Flatulence increases, and muscular tremors and twitch- 

 ings occur. Still later there are staggering, high tem- 

 perature, filiform pulse, and fetid evacuations. Death 

 comes at the end of twelve to eighteen hours. 



Treatment in this stage can only be symptomatic. 

 Symptoms of enteritis are well known. 



Cases of colic that occur from the remote effects of 

 thrombosis (atonic sections of the small intestine) are 

 usually prolonged, atypical, recurrent colics. Varying 

 degrees of pain are exhibited by the patient, and there 

 are at times some evidences of flatulence. The attacks 

 are of short duration. 



Attacks of colic occurring in horses repeatedly with- 

 out cause are always to be suspected as being due to 

 thrombosis of the mesenteric arteries. 



The prognosis is doubtful in all cases of colic resulting 

 from thrombosis in the mesenteric arteries. While a 

 horse may survive attack after attack, it is impossible to 

 forecast what the termination will be in any particular 



