10/14/2026
Why Would We Tap the Belly? A Look Inside Part of a Colic Workup
🐴When this horse showed signs of colic, an abdominal ultrasound revealed something abnormal: fluid in the peritoneal cavity, the space surrounding the intestines. That raised a serious question: could something have ruptured?
To get answers, Dr. Porter performed an abdominocentesis, also called a belly tap.
🔍What’s happening in the video?
Using ultrasound to locate any free fluid in the peritoneal cavity, a sterile teat cannula is passed through the abdominal wall and sterile sample is collected for analysis.
🧪What are we looking for?
Healthy peritoneal fluid is clear to pale yellow and there isn’t much of it. A rupture of the stomach or intestine leaks gut contents into the abdomen, which changes the fluid dramatically:
Color & clarity: Cloudy, brown, or green-tinged fluid is a red flag
Plant material or bacteria: Seeing feed particles or bacteria under the microscope strongly suggests a rupture
Cell counts & protein: Very high numbers point to severe inflammation or infection
Lactate: Elevated levels can mean the gut isn’t getting enough blood flow
⚖️Why it matters
A gastrointestinal rupture is an emergency with a grave prognosis, so confirming or ruling it out quickly is critical. The belly tap gives us fast, concrete information to guide the next step, whether that’s medical treatment, referral for surgery, or a difficult conversation with the owner.
🐴Is it safe?
Yes. It’s a quick, routine procedure, usually done standing with light sedation, and it carries a low risk of complications.
Colic is always an emergency. If your horse is showing signs, call us right away at 352-538-9165.
