Ultrasound examination of the equine acute abdomen

Abstract

Background: Abdominal pain is one of the most common causes of emergency in equine practice. The origin of these clinical signs is wide ranging; therefore, the treatment and prognosis can vary significantly. The use of imaging modalities, especially ultrasonography, for the diagnosis of abdominal diseases in horses has become widely available and currently plays a crucial role in the diagnostic work‐up of colic. Aim of the article: This article describes the use of ultrasound for assessing the equine abdomen and guides the equine practitioner on the diagnostic features of the most common diseases that can cause colic in horses.