Prevention of Colic

Prevention of Colic | home

Prevention of Colic

1. Stick to a daily routine- including feeding and excerise schedules.

2. Feed a high-quality diet of free-choice roughage.

3. Avoid feeding excessive grain and energy-dense supplements.

4.Because horses by nature were designed to eat several small

meals, divide the daily ration into two or three feedings.

5.Follow a regular deworming program with your vet's help.

6.Provide excerise daily. Change the intensity/duration of an

excercise routine gradually.

7. Provide fresh, clean water. Exception: when a horse is

excessively hot, give him small sips of lukewarm water

until he has recovered.

8.Avoid medication unless they are prescribed by a vet.

9.Check hay, bedding, pasture and environment for

potentially toxic substances: blister beetles, noxious

weeds, plastics, etc.

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

11.Make dietary and other management changes gradually.

12.Reduce stress. Horses experiencing changes in environment

or workloads are at high risk of intestinal dysfunction.

13. Pay special attention to animals when transporting them

or changing their surroundings, such as at shows.

14.Observe foaling mares pre- and post- partum for any signs

of colic. Watch any horses that have had a previous bout

with colic. They may be at a greater risk.

15. Maintain accurate records of management, feeding practices

The above won't prevent colic completely but will help reduce the risk.

Taken from an article in America's Horse.

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

- Kicking or biting at the abdomen

- Stretching out s 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

- Rapid respiration and/or flared nostrils

- Elevated pulse rate (greater than 52 beats per minute)

- Lip curling (Flehmen response)

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:

b) Respiratory rate (breathing)

c) Rectal temperature

d) Color of mucous membranes

e) Capillary refill time (tested by pressing on gums adjacent to teeth, releasing, then counting the seconds it takes for color to return)

f) Behavioral signs, such as pawing, kicking, rolling, depression, etc.

g) Digestive noises, or lack of them

h) Bowel movements, including color, consistency and frequency

I) Any recent changes in management, feeding, or exercise

j) Medical history, including deworming and any past episodes of abdominal pain

k) Breeding history and pregnancy status if the patient is a mare, and recent breeding history if the patient is a stallion

l) Insurance status of the horse

4) Keep the horse as calm and comfortable as possible. Allow the animal to lie down if it appears to be resting and is not as 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 veterinarian.

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

DIAGNOSING THE CAUSE

Your veterinarian 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, 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, 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

The exact steps your veterinarian will follow will depend on his or her findings. For example, some colic 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 bowel are not working properly. It incudes such things as gas distension, impaction, spasms, and paralysis.

II. Intestinal Accidents. These occur less frequently, and include displacements, torsions, and hernia, 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 colic related to inflammation, infections and lesions within the digestive tract. They can be caused by numerous factors, including stress, disease, salmonellosis, and parasites.


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Stick to a daily routine- including feeding and excerise schedules. 2. Feed a high-quality diet of free-choice roughage. 3. Avoid feeding excessive grain and energy-dense supplements. 4.Because horses by nature were designed to eat several small meals, divide the daily ration into two or three feedings. 5.Follow a regular deworming program with your vet's help. 6.Provide excerise daily. Change the intensity/duration of an excercise routine gradually. 7. Provide fresh, clean water. Exception: when a horse is excessively hot, give him small sips of lukewarm water until he has recovered. 8.Avoid medication unless they are prescribed by a vet. 9.Check hay, bedding, pasture and environment for potentially toxic substances: blister beetles, noxious weeds, plastics, etc. 10.Avoid putting feed on the ground, especially in sandy soils. 11.Make dietary and other management changes gradually. 12.Reduce stress. Horses experiencing changes in environment or workloads are at high risk of intestinal dysfunction. 13. Pay special attention to animals when transporting them or changing their surroundings, such as at shows. 14.Observe foaling mares pre- and post- partum for any signs of colic. Watch any horses that have had a previous bout with colic. They may be at a greater risk. 15. Maintain accurate records of management, feeding practices and health. The above won't prevent colic completely but will help reduce the risk. Taken from an article in America's Horse. 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 s 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: a) Pulse rate b) Respiratory rate (breathing) c) Rectal temperature d) Color of mucous membranes e) Capillary refill time (tested by pressing on gums adjacent to teeth, releasing, then counting the seconds it takes for color to return) f) Behavioral signs, such as pawing, kicking, rolling, depression, etc. g) Digestive noises, or lack of them h) Bowel movements, including color, consistency and frequency I) Any recent changes in management, feeding, or exercise j) Medical history, including deworming and any past episodes of abdominal pain k) Breeding history and pregnancy status if the patient is a mare, and recent breeding history if the patient is a stallion l) Insurance status of the horse 4) Keep the horse as calm and comfortable as possible. Allow the animal to lie down if it appears to be resting and is not as 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 veterinarian. 7) Follow your veterinarian’s advice exactly and await his or her arrival. DIAGNOSING THE CAUSE Your veterinarian 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, 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, 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 colic 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 bowel are not working properly. It incudes such things as gas distension, impaction, spasms, and paralysis. II. Intestinal Accidents. These occur less frequently, and include displacements, torsions, and hernia, 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 colic related to inflammation, infections and lesions within the digestive tract. They can be caused by numerous factors, including stress, disease, salmonellosis, and parasites.