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 The SUCCEED® FBT may help veterinarians monitor for internal bleeding post colic surgery.
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Colic is the leading cause of death in horses. Although surgery can successfully save horses with severe colic, remaining damaged intestine and post-surgery complications caused by the restoration of blood flow still pose a threat. As a result, it is extremely important for veterinary clinicians to closely monitor for signs of internal bleeding in colic cases, post-surgery.
Currently, the most common method of observing potential internal bleeding is to run CBC (complete blood count)/Chemistry Profiles at regular intervals, and watch for changes. This approach alone is limited, however. First, blood cells lost as a result of internal bleeding may not be accurately detected by a CBC profile, since the total blood loss will be the same. Second, waiting upwards of 24 hours to see a change in the CBC numbers may indeed be a case of "too little, too late."
By using the SUCCEED® FBT in conjunction with serial CBC/Chem Profiles, an accurate indication of GI tract bleeding can be obtained within a matter of hours, potentially allowing for more immediate action, if needed. |