YOUR HORSE AND COLIC!

Feed, Seed and More Newsletter > YOUR HORSE AND COLIC!

YOUR HORSE AND COLIC!

Feb 12, 2005

OWNERS, BEWARE. THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF HORSES IS COLIC!
But colic is not a disease. Rather it is a combination of
signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse.

Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be
ignored. That's because many of the conditions that cause
colic can become life-threatening in a relatively short
period of time.

Only by quickly and accurately recognizing colic -- and
seeking qualified veterinary help -- can the chance for
recovery be maximized.

RECOGNIZING COLIC

A major problem for you as a horse owner is identifying the
signs of colic. That's because signs can vary greatly
between individuals and may also depend on the severity of
the pain. However, among the more common signs are:

Turning the head toward the flank
Pawing
Kicking or biting at the abdomen
Stretching out as if to urinate without doing so
Repeatedly lying down and getting up or attempting to do so

Rolling, especially violent rolling
Sitting in a dog-like position, or lying on the back
Lack of appetite (anorexia)
Putting head down to water without drinking
Lack of bowel movements, as evidenced by the small number
of manure piles
Absence of, or reduced, digestive sounds
Sweating
Rapid respiration and/or flared nostrils
Elevated pulse rate (greater than 52 beats per minute)
Depression
Lip curling (Flehmen response)
Cool extremities
TAKING IMMEDIATE ACTION

Time is perhaps the most critical factor if colic is to be
successfully treated. While a number of cases resolve
without medical intervention, a significant percentage do
require prompt medical care, including emergency surgery.
If you suspect your horse is suffering from colic, the
following action plan is suggested:

1. Remove all food and water.

2. Notify your veterinarian immediately.

3. Be prepared to provide the following specific
information:

Pulse rate
Respiratory rate (breathing)
Rectal temperature
Color of mucous membranes
Capillary refill time (tested by pressing on gums adjacent
to teeth, releasing, then counting the seconds it takes for
color to return)
Behavioral signs, such as pawing, kicking, rolling,
depression, etc.
Digestive noises, or lack of them
Bowel movements, including color, consistency and frequency

Any recent changes in management, feeding, or exercise
Medical history, including deworming and any past episodes
of abdominal pain
Breeding history and pregnancy status if the patient is a
mare, and recent breeding history if the patient is a
stallion
Insurance status and value of the horse (NOTE: The
insurance carrier should be notified if surgery or
euthanasia is being considered).

4. Keep horse as calm and comfortable as possible. Allow
the animal to lie down if it appears to be resting and is
not at risk of injury.

5. If the horse is rolling or behaving violently, attempt
to walk the horse slowly.

6. Do not administer drugs unless specifically directed to
do so by your equine practitioner. Drugs may camouflage
problems and interfere with accurate diagnosis.

7. Follow your veterinarian's advice exactly and await his
or her arrival.

DIAGNOSING THE CAUSE

Your equine practitioner will establish the severity of the
colic and identify its cause. His or her examination and/or
treatment may include the following procedures:

Observation of such signs as sweating, abdominal distension
(bloating), rapid breathing, flared nostrils, and abnormal
behavior
Obtaining an accurate history
Passage of a stomach tube to determine presence of excess
gas, fluids, and ingesta
Monitoring vital signs, including temperature, pulse,
respiration (TPR), color of the mucous membranes, and
capillary refill time
Rectal palpation for evidence of intestinal blockage,
distension, or other abnormalities
Blood test for white cell count and other data
Abdominal tap in order to evaluate protein level and cell
type in the peritoneal fluid
Analgesics or sedatives to relieve pain and distress

Laxatives to help reestablish normal intestinal function
Continued observation to determine response to treatment
Transport
Surgery

CLASSIFYING COLIC

The exact steps your veterinarian will follow will depend
on his or her findings. For example, some colics can only
be resolved through surgery. Even though there are myriad
causes, most colics fall into one of three groups:

I. Intestinal Dysfunction. This is the most common category
and simply means that the horse's bowels are not working
properly. It includes such things as gas distention,
impaction, spasms, and paralysis.

II. Intestinal Accidents. These occur less frequently, and
include displacements, torsions, and hernias, whereby
sections of the intestine become trapped or pinched in body
cavities. Some horses seem anatomically predisposed to such
problems. Intestinal accidents almost always require
emergency surgery.

III. Enteritis or Ulcerations. These are colics related to
inflammations, infections, and lesions within the digestive
tract. They can be caused by numerous factors, including
stress, disease, salmonellosis, and parasites.

PREVENTING COLIC

While horses seem predisposed to colic due to the anatomy
and function of their digestive tracts, management can play
a key role in prevention. Although not every case is
avoidable, the following guidelines can maximize the
horse's health and reduce the risk of colic:

Establish a set daily routine -- including feeding and
exercise schedules -- and stick to it.

Feed a high quality diet comprised primarily of roughage.
Avoid feeding excessive grain and energy-dense supplements.
(At least half the horse's energy requirement should be
supplied through hay or forage. A better guide is that
twice as much energy should be supplied from a roughage
source than from concentrates.)

Divide daily concentrate rations into two or more smaller
feedings rather than one large one to avoid overloading the
horse's digestive tract. Hay is best fed free-choice.
Set up a regular parasite control program with the help of
your equine practitioner. Utilize fecal samples to
determine its effectiveness.

Provide exercise and/or turnout on a daily basis.
Change the intensity/duration of an exercise regimen
gradually.

Provide fresh, clean water at all times. (The only
exception is when the horse is excessively hot. Then it
should be given small sips of lukewarm water until it has
recovered.)

Avoid medications unless they are prescribed by your equine
practitioner, especially pain-relief drugs (analgesics),
which can cause ulcers.

Check hay, bedding, pasture, and environment for
potentially toxic substances, such as blister beetles,
noxious weeds, and other ingestible foreign matter.

Avoid putting feed on the ground, especially in sandy
soils.

Make dietary and other management changes as gradually as
possible.

Reduce stress. Horses experiencing changes in environment
or workloads are at high risk of intestinal dysfunction.
Pay special attention to animals when transporting them or
changing their surroundings, such as at shows.

Observe foaling mares pre- and postpartum for any signs of
colic. Also watch carefully any horses who have had a
previous bout with colic. They may be at greater risk.
Maintain accurate records of management, feeding practices,
and health.

SUMMARY

Virtually any horse is susceptible to colic. Age, sex, and
breed differences in susceptibility seem to be relatively
minor. The type of colic seen appears to relate to
geographic or regional differences, probably due to
environmental factors such as sandy soil or climatic
stress.

Importantly, what this tells us is that, with conscientious
care and management, we have the potential to reduce and
control colic, the number one killer of horses.