Evaluation of the sublingual microcirculation with sidestream dark field video microscopy in horses anesthetized for an elective procedure or intestinal surgery.

Objective: To compare the sublingual microcirculation between healthy horses anesthetized for elective procedures and horses with colic anesthetized for abdominal surgery and to determine the effect of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) on the microcirculation.

Animals: 9 horses in the elective group and 8 horses in the colic group.

Procedures: Sublingual microcirculation was assessed with sidestream dark field video microscopy.