Equine Colic - Advice and Information
Confirmation of equine colic is a situation that worrries any horse owner. So what exactly is colic in horses? What signs should you keep an eye out for?
Colic is in reference to pain originating in the abdomen. Normally horses do not hide pain of the abdomen very well. So in the event of any disturbance of gut functioning they will usually show signs of pain.
Visible signs of discomfort could be stretching, a stance as if to urinate, and pawing the ground. If the pain is greater the horse will get up and down, and try rolling to become more settled.
The horse will likely start to sweat. In more severe cases it will get up and down and continuously roll.
What Can You Do?
Should you believe your horse is suffering from colic, you should call an equine vet straight away. They will be able to provide rapid pain relief and decide whether further treatment is necessary.
What can you do while waiting for the vet? Taking your horse for a walk sometimes helps. It can sometimes encourage his intestines to work normally and help soothe the discomfort. It may also further prevent the horse lying down and rolling. If he is lying down peacefully then you should let him stay there.
It was previously thought that a horse could twist its gut by rolling around. That is probably incorrect. But it is best to prevent him rolling over if possible. That way you will prevent your horse causing injury himself by knocking himself on any walls. But take care that you don't cause injury to yourself. It's likely horses will lose all their manners when in pain.
There are several different reasons as to why horses get colic. But often the signs look similar regardless of what caused it.
So how will the vet investigate the problem? They will listen to the abdomen using a stethoscope which will tell if there is more or less activity in the intestines than there should be.
Examining the heart rate gives a good indication of the severity of the discomfort and the seriousness of the problem. Normally a horse with a regular heart rate doen't have a serious case. However a high heart rate is not such a promising sign.
A really helpful area of the examination is the rectal examination. By feeling the gut, vets could be able to identify the cause of the issue. Without doubt this is a highly skilled examination, that hasthe potential to be hazardous for both the vet and the horse. However for an experienced vet the information it gives is invaluable in concluding the cause of the issue. Revealing a blockage, or a swollen loop of intestines as a result of a twist or another problem with the intestines.
In all but the simple scenarios vets may pass a tube through the horses' nose an into the stomach. Though it sounds uncomfortable but often may make your horse more comfortable by releasing the built up pressure in the stomach. This process can also give the vet detailed feedback as to whether the stomach is functioning properly.
On occasion the horse is in so much distress that it isn't possible for the vet to examine him properly without first giving a quantity of sedative.
Only by considering all of the information provided by a careful examination is the vet able to make an initial diagnosis. Even then it may not be possible to diagnose exactly what is going on.
It might be the case that, after the first inspection, your horse requires surgery. Though more usually the vet will choose to treat the horse with a fast-acting painkiller and review his progress after a few hours. Most examples display a quick improvement. But some will show no response to the treatment, or they might improve initially, then start showing signs of pain again later.
Rather than having to bring the vet to your horse several times, it is normally better to move these cases to a specialist practice where they can be closely monitored and operations can be performed if necessary.
In Conclusion
Fortunately most colic cases respond well to medical treatment. Although if surgery is needed - it is important to operate as soon as possible. The likelyhood of a successful outcome is much better if the operation is carried out before too much damage has occurred.
For more information, horses for sale and more, please visit the Horse and Pony Directory.
