Colic is the number one reason why veterinarians see horses and ponies, according to Horse Owner’s Veterinary Handbook (Howell Book House; 2008.) Horse colic is a medical emergency, especially if the horse is exhibiting signs of severe pain. But there are many things a horse owner can do to help comfort the colicky horse and to treat mild cases of colic.
Colic Types
The three main types of colic are tympanic colic, spasmodic colic and impaction colic. Tympanic colic is caused by a sudden increase of gas in the horse’s gut. There are many reasons why a horse’s gut would suddenly inflate and not be released as usual. These include change of diet, illness and a bad reaction to medication. Spasmodic colic is most often caused by internal parasites. Impaction colic is caused by something blocking part of the horse’s digestive tract, such as sand that the horse ate while grazing in a sandy pasture.
How to treat a foal with colic is a little different from how to treat a horse with colic. There is a particularly deadly type of impaction colic for newborn foals called meconium colic. The meconium is a foal’s first stool. It needs to be expelled in the first 24 hours after birth. If a warm, soapy enema or a 250 ml dose of mineral oil does not shift the meconium, the foal will need surgery or die.
Colic Signs
The sooner a groom or horse owner recognizes the signs of horse colic, the better the horse’s chances of survival. Early signs include:
· Turning the head to seemingly stare at the belly · Pawing at the belly with a hind hoof · Breaking out into a sweat · Rolling in a controlled, leisurely fashion · Pulse rises to 70+ beats per minute · Sitting on the hind legs in the way that a dog sits
Signs that the colic is severe and that the horse is in extreme pain include:
Thrashing desperately while rolling Rolling the eyes Racing pulse Sweating to the point of dripping or foaming Silence in the gut – a horse’s gut should always make some rumbling or gurgling noises. Horses with mild cases of colic will still make some intestinal noises.
Even if the signs seem to be mild, it is a good idea to call the vet, supervise the horse and remove any feed in the stall.
First Aid
Remain as calm as possible so as not to panic the horse and worsen the situation. Remove any feed or water buckets from the stall. Remove any blankets or fly sheets that the horse could get stuck in when rolling or sitting like a dog. Also check the stall for anything sticking out, such as horse ball toy, which the horse may get tangled in if it should roll. If the horse is in a pasture with a ditch or bushes, move the horse to a stall or a pasture without anything that could hurt the horse if it rolls. Take its vital signs. Check the stall or pasture for fresh but dry manure. And, of course, contact a vet.
Rolling can sometimes help mild cases of colic, especially if the horse is not dripping sweat, does not have widened eyes and is still curious about its surroundings. But horses that are exhibiting severe signs of pain should not be allowed to roll. Instead, walk then slowly and quietly about. Let the horse take its time.
Treatment
Unless the horse has a history of colic and the owner is well acquainted with the causes of that horse’s colic, let a vet diagnose just what type of colic the horse is suffering from. Diagnosis involves a rectal exam and “scoping” or passing a flexible tube down the nose and into the stomach.
Tympanic colic and spasmodic colic often treated with injections of an anti-spasmotic drug like dipyrone and analgesic drugs like xylazine. The horse may be given IV fluids to relieve or prevent dehydration. The horse also may be given an additional gallon of mineral oil if the vet recommends it.
Spasmotic colic can sometimes go away without drugs, according to Horse Owner’s Veterinary Handbook, but this should not be relied on.
Impaction colic may require surgery, especially if the horse is showing signs of severe distress or the cause of the impaction is unknown. But if the rectum is inflamed, this could be fecal impaction which a vet can remove manually. The horse is sedated and then the vet dons gloves and pulls the feces out. The horse is given an enema and possible IV fluids.
Conclusion
Never guess at how to treat a horse with colic. Call a veterinarian right away. Meanwhile, keep the horse as calm and comfortable as possible.
Sources
Gore, DVM. Thomas, et al. Horse Owner’s Veterinary Handbook. Howell Book House; 2008.
Pavord, Marcy and Tony Pavord, BVc, MRCVS. The Complete Equine Veterinary Manual. David & Charles; 2004.
Coumbe, Karen MRCVS. “Emergency care for colic.” Horse & Hound. January 19, 2006.
Author’s personal experience