Changes in Perioperative Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Regimens for Colic Surgery in Horses: A Single Center Report

The administration of postoperative anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drugs after colic surgery is based on an empirical approach, and for this reason, in recent years, it has been questioned. Recent guidelines recommend that antimicrobials should be administered for the shortest effective period possible. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is also discussed given the side effects especially on the gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs administration in horses has changed in our practice over the years to modulate therapies according to the postoperative complications that eventually arise. The description of these changes and the reasons behind them can help define an appropriate stewardship. Over the years, the administration of postoperative antibiotics has been limited, and treatments have been started only in case of complications that justified their use. As for anti-inflammatories, there was a variation of dosages of flunixin meglumine and the addition of new types of anti-inflammatories, both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids. These changes in prophylaxis protocols were not associated with an increase in postoperative complications.