What is it?
Colic is basically abdominal pain and there are several
different types. They often display
similar signs but some are more serious than others. However, colic is potentially fatal so don’t
hesitate and make sure you call the vet as soon as possible to give your horse
the best chance.
Flatulent Colic
Signs
- Pain is less severe than for Spasmodic colic
- Horse will appear to be ‘dull’
- Pawing ground
- Frequent attempts to urinate
- May try to lie down/roll but appears hesitant to do so
- Enlarged abdomen on upper right flank
- Changes to breathing
- Small amounts of dung and/or gas passed
Causes
Large amounts of gas formed in large intestines because the
horse has eaten too much lush grass or clover (or other legumes).
Treatment
Call vet.
Gastric Dilation
The horse will often have a history of eating too much,
being greedy.
Signs
- Severe abdominal pain
- Horse kicks at stomach
- Rolls and may ‘throw’ self on ground
- Swollen abdomen
- Rapid breathing
- Sweating
- Death can occur suddenly if stomach ruptures
Causes
Again large amounts of gas formed in the large intestines
because the horse has eaten too much grain, mouldy hay or young clover.
The stomach distends causing muscles at both ends to close which in turn
prevents the gas escaping.
Treatment
Call vet immediately.
Impaction
Signs
- Develops more slowly and signs may disappear for a few days
before reappearing more violently.
- Horse will appear to be ‘dull’
- Small quantities of dung passed which are drier and harder than
usual
- Horse will keep looking at flanks
- May lie down and then get up again … and repeat
- Lying on side with legs and head extended is a
characteristic pose
Causes
Impaction of small and large intestines (constipation) due
to bolting food or intake of poor quality roughage – causing difficulty in
digestion. A large bolus will form!
Treatment
Call vet.
Prevention.
Similar to Choke. Slow horse’s eating, large stones in
food, small holed haynets. Only feed good quality food.
Obstruction Colic
Signs
- Violent pain
- Restless
- Pawing ground
- Looking at flanks
- Kicking out
- Throws self on ground
- Violent rolling
- Sweating
- Rapid breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Rapid pulse
- Dehydration
- No gut sounds
Causes
There are various causes, may be a twisted bowel or strangulated
intestines as the result of a hernia. Sometimes the intestines can
‘telescope’ one section inside the other.
Treatment
Call vet URGENTLY.
Spasmodic Colic
Signs
- Sudden and severe pain followed by an interval of calm
- Pawing the ground
- Stamps hind feet
- Kicks at stomach
- Crouches as though to lie down
- Looks at flanks
- Stretches as if to urinate
- Pain attacks will become more frequent and last longer
- Rolling and getting up
- Frequent, rapid and loud intestinal sounds
Causes
The pain is caused by strong and rapid contraction of the
muscles in the walls of the intestines. Poorly digested food will upset
the mobility of the intestines and this leads to spasmodic colic. This
can be due to sharp teeth so the horse finds it difficult and painful to
chew. If a horse is excited, exhausted, stressed or overworked the
mobility of the gut will also be upset. Migrating immature red worm
larvae can also cause spasmodic colic. In addition spasmodic colic can be
an early sign of small intestine obstruction.
Treatment
Call vet. Gently walk the horse whilst waiting to help
ease the pain and prevent injury.
Prevention
Regular Worm Egg counts and when necessary worming.
Also, regular dental checks and treatment to ensure teeth are not sharp and are
able to chew food adequately.
Treatments
The vet will use a variety of methods to assess and treat
colic. The vet will listen to the
abdominal sounds, take a pulse and check the respiration rate. Pain killers are usually given to ease the
pain and reduce the horse’s distress.
Depending on the type of colic suspected the vet may perform an internal
examination and try to remove any faeces that may be causing a blockage. Other drugs may be given to alleviate the gut
spasms.
If the horse does not improve then fluid may be given
through a stomach tube inserted into the nostril but guided down the
oesophagus. This is intended to soften
any blockage and/or ease it along. It
can be quite distressing to watch and often causes the nose to bleed
considerably.
Sometimes colic surgery is necessary to save a horse’s
life. It needs to be performed early to
have the highest chance of success. It
is also important to weigh up the distress this could cause to the horse or if
it would be kinder to end their pain.
Preventing colic is sometimes difficult, however, there are
things that we can do to reduce the chances of it occurring.
- Always have clean fresh water available
- Regular dental check ups
- Gradual changes to diet
- Worm/Egg count regularly
- Good quality hay and feed
- Limit access to lush pasture
- Don't leave a horse without roughage for too
long - upsets gut mobility
- Don't exercise too soon after bucket feed
- Allow horse to eat in a calm environment
- Slow horses eating
- Do not feed on the ground in sandy areas -
ingestion of the sand causes colic
- Get to know what your horse's 'normal' dung
looks like - and monitor for changes
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Until next time!
Jo
