Equine Colic | Equine Colic Pet MD

If you’re new to the world of horse racing, chances are you’ve heard the word “colic” at some point.

Equine colic is one of the most common equine health emergencies. That’s why it’s important to understand what colic is, the common signs, and what to do if your horse gets colic.

What is colic in horses?

In equine terms, the word “colic” simply means abdominal pain. The source of pain can come from anywhere within a horse’s abdomen, from the intestines to organs such as the stomach and liver.

Most commonly, equine colic occurs when the intestines are impacted or when part of the intestine moves or twists within the abdomen.

Signs of colic in horses

Early signs of colic in horses include:

• look at the side

• lethargy or lethargy

• Biting or kicking the flank (abdomen)

• walk on the ground or in the air

• Lying down for long periods of time or getting up frequently

• Small or dry fecal balls, diarrhea, or complete lack of fertilizer production

• loss of appetite

• Changes in drinking behavior

• restlessness

More advanced signs of equine colic include:

• increased heart rate

• breathing heavily or quickly

• sweating

• sticky or dry gums

• rolling

• dark purple or pale gums

What causes colic in horses?

A horse’s gastrointestinal tract is largely unconnected within the abdomen, allowing it to move around easily. This can lead to colic due to: displacement or trap Movement of part of the intestinal tract to an abnormal location within the abdomen.

Other types of colic include:

• impaction colic (feces accumulates in the intestines and causes blockage)

• gas colic (Excess production of gas during digestion or due to bacterial infection)

• spasmodic colic (excessive excitement of intestinal contractions)

• Enterocolitis/infection (inflammation and/or infection within the gastrointestinal tract)

• strangulation (The blood supply to the intestine is cut off due to twisting of the intestine or blockage of a tumor)

Risk factors that can lead to colic in horses include:

• Dietary changes (grain or hay)

• Changes in routine or exercise

• weather changes

• High prevalence of parasites

• sand intake

• weight gain

• High grain feed/low feed

• long periods between foraging and feeding

• Decrease in water intake

• dental problems

• Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

• stress

• Recent Foals: Mares that have recently given birth may be more susceptible to colon torsion.

What to do if your horse has colic

If your horse shows signs of colic, remove food from the stall, give your horse access to water, and monitor manure output.

While waiting for the veterinarian to arrive, or while you hitch up the truck or trailer for the clinic, if your horse tries to pick up its front legs or lie down, give it a short (5 to 10 minutes) ) You may consider taking your dog for a walk.

Don’t walk your horse for long periods of time or force him to do more strenuous exercise. Your horse will become more tired and dehydrated and may still develop colic.

A veterinarian can diagnose equine colic based on medical history, laboratory findings, and diagnostic tests.

The most common signs that veterinarians look for in diagnosing a horse with colic are signs of abdominal pain accompanied by an increased heart rate (more than 40 beats per minute).

The veterinarian will also need to pass a nasogastric tube from the horse’s nose to the stomach to check for regurgitation or regurgitation of fluids, which could indicate an intestinal obstruction.

Another important diagnostic test is rectal palpation. By feeling through the rectum, your veterinarian can evaluate several organs and check for abnormalities such as intestinal obstruction or fecal impaction. It may also detect abnormal distension or displacement of the intestines.

Further diagnostic tests may be recommended, including:

• abdominal puncture– Obtain fluid from the abdomen to assess intestinal damage.

• ultrasound—Observe internal organs

• Complete blood count and blood chemistry—Assess organ function and inflammation

• lactic acid level—Assess cell health

Treatment of equine colic

To properly treat equine colic, the underlying medical cause of the colic symptoms must be identified.

Medical treatment may occur at the farm, but it may also be recommended to take the horse to the hospital for further tests, IV fluids, 24-hour care, or possible surgery.

Medical treatment for colic may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as: Banamine® (flunixin meglumine) to reduce pain and inflammation, and Buscopan® for spasmodic colic.

Depending on the diagnosis, administration of fluids, electrolytes, magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) and/or mineral oil via a nasogastric tube placed in the horse’s stomach may also be helpful.

If your horse’s condition does not improve with medications and treatments given on the farm, hospital or surgical treatment may be required for treatment.

colic surgery

Colic surgery involves putting the horse under general anesthesia and performing exploratory surgery on the abdomen to find and correct the cause of the colic symptoms. Not all horses can be operated on for colic as it is not possible to take the horse to a hospital due to the short time and cost.

Colic surgery costs on average between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on complications and the severity of the colic. In cases of severe colic, euthanasia may be recommended as the horse’s prognosis for recovery is poor.

Recovery and management of equine colic

Recovery after colic depends on the severity of the colic episode and the medical reason.

If the symptoms of colic are mild and can be resolved with simple treatment on the farm, your horse may return to his normal lifestyle within a few days. If your horse requires hospitalization and surgery, recovery can take weeks or months.

Typically, after an episode of colic, your veterinarian will implement a slow refeeding schedule to allow your horse to fully recover. It is important to ensure that your horse is free of colic symptoms before returning to a normal feeding and exercise program.

How to prevent colic in horses

You can reduce your horse’s risk of developing colic by following the recommendations below.

• Provide access to fresh water at all times

• donate your horse Participants in the meadow

• Avoid feeding on the ground in sandy areas. When feeding hay flakes, consider the following: hay net This is to keep the hay on the ground and encourage consumption through slow grazing.

• Feed grain or any type of pelleted feed only when necessary

• Watch for symptoms of colic, especially while eating, exercising, and changing your daily routine.

• Provide regular dental care by a veterinarian at least once a year

• Follow your horse’s deworming schedule regularly

• Monitor horses with a previous history of colic, mares for the first two months after foaling, as well as horses taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Bute or Banamine®. please.