Monday, September 14, 2015

How to Tell When your Horse Colics

I chose to do colic because I can not stress how important it is to be able to catch this digestive order as early as possible. My off the track thoroughbred Brandi had a severe colic scare about two years ago where she coliced twice in one week and I almost lost her to it. They threatened to rush her to Ohio State University at around two in the morning to do an emergency stomach surgery.  It was one of the worst moments in my life to almost loose my teammate and best friend. I lived at the barn that whole week and refused to leave her side and that is something I hope no one ever has to go through. So for all those horse owners out there here are the signs and symptoms of colic. Equine colic is a very common digestive order that could happen to any horse. "The term colic simply means “abdominal pain,”. It's a condition of severe abdominal discomfort characterized by the horse pawing, rolling, and sometimes the inability to go to the bathroom". It can be severe or deadly if not caught at the right time.

Symptoms/Types:


  • Not wanting to eat
  • Unusual gut noises
  • Rolling/wanting to lie down
  • Not drinking
  • Lack of being able to use the bathroom.
  • Anxiety/depression
  • Over sweating
  • Unusual high pulse rate
  • Pawing





 Gas Colic: gas build up in stomach causing pain, the symptoms include:
  • Not able to stand still
  • Loud gut sounds/ random gut pain
  • Sweating
  • Frequently tries to roll

 The Causes of Impaction Colic:



  • Parasites in their system
  • Dehydration
  • Consuming sand or stones (ex: small pebbles)





Symptoms:
  • Not wanting to eat
  • Stomach pain
  • Not being able to use the bathroom
  • Laying down for a long time
Diagnosis:
 


First your horse's vitals signs will be evaluated and the vet would listen for any unsual gut sounds. You will be asked about yours horse’s recent behavior. If need be the vet may sedate the horse to help keep them relaxed and make the horse safer to work with.


The vet will then see if the horse has any gas build up by preforming a rectal exam. Your vet may insert a nasogastric (NG) tube (long plastic tube is inserted through the horse’s nose and down their throat into their stomach. This allows fluids directly into the stomach so its able to be cleared out.

Treatment


There are different treatments depending on the severity and type of colic. Banamine which is the most common treatment can help control the stomach pain. A nasogastric tube which was talked about earlier may also be used. If the horse is suffering from an impaction colic, the goal is for it to be removed. Usually the horse is held off-feed until he is able to go to the bathroom, which indicates that it has passed and the horse is in the clear.


If the vet thinks there is a twist in the stomach, surgery is required. Colic is a very serious problem that not very many people know about because I have known many horses who have died from this because it wasn't caught in time. Time is critical when it comes to colic so don't waste it. Once a horse colics they then become more prone to colic again in the future. Horses can't tell you wants wrong so it's up to you to be able to detect the warning signs of colic and get veterinarian help immediately.




 

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