Newsdate: Wed 16 September 2015 – 7:00 am
Location: PLYMOUTH, Massachusetts

The decision whether or not to send your horse to colic surgery can be an extremely confusing and stressful one. Wondering about the outcome can leave you feeling anxious and uncertain about your horse’s future.

Colic evidenced by horse rolling on ground

Thanks to improvements in surgery techniques, suture materials, and anti-inflammatory medications, horses are recovering from colic surgery better than ever before.

But don’t worry- SmartPak has separated the facts from the fiction so you can make the most informed choice, together with your veterinarian, about what’s best for your horse and for you.

Fact or Fiction? Horses can return to their previous workload and competition after colic surgery

Fact. Thanks to improvements in surgery techniques, suture materials, and anti-inflammatory medications, horses are recovering from colic surgery better than ever before. In fact, horses can return to their previous level of performance after colic surgery, even at the highest levels of activity and competition.¹

Fact or Fiction? Horses over the age of 16 are too old for colic surgery

Fiction. While many horse owners believe that older horses should not undergo major surgery, those without health conditions (i.e. Cushing’s) typically tolerate it well. Horses older than 16 years, even those in their late 20s to early 30s, can handle general anesthesia and colic surgery well and have postoperative survival rates comparable to those of younger horses.¹

Fact or Fiction? Early recognition and prompt surgery referral are critical factors to colic surgery success

Fact. Prompt and accurate diagnosis, referral, and surgery without delay are key factors that influence the outcome of colic surgery, as well as the cost of treatment.¹ For this reason, it’s a good idea to think about whether or not your horse is a surgical candidate before the time comes to make that difficult decision.

Fact or Fiction? Colic surgery always costs tens of thousands of dollars

Fiction. The cost of colic surgery depends on the severity of your horse’s condition, type of colic, and where in the country you’re located. Claims filed through SmartPak’s ColiCare™ program indicate that the average cost of colic surgery, including pre- and post-operative care, is $7,800.² In addition, horse owners now have multiple options to help defray the cost of colic surgery, from insurance policies to colic surgery reimbursement programs.

To learn more about your horse's colic risk, take the SmartPak Colic Risk Quiz

1. History of colic surgery and a look to the future. David E. Freeman, MVB, MRCVS, PhD, DACVS
AAEP Proceedings Vol 60 2014 pp 193-204.
2. Data on file.