COLIC IN HORSES
- Definition
- Colic in horses is defined as abdominal pain.
- Common Causes
- Sand in digestive tract is a common cause of colic in Western Australia
- Seasonal / Temperature changes
- Intestinal parasites
- Change in feed and management
- Stress
- Clinical Signs:
- refusing feed/hay
- increased heart and respiration rate
- sweating
- looking at belly, looking uncomfortable
- getting up & down frequently/restless
- rolling violently
- stretching out to urinate, but not urinating
- kicking/biting at belly
- absence/reduction of digestive sounds
CALL A VET IF YOUR HORSE IS SHOWING ANY OF THE ABOVE SIGNS
- Treatment :
- IV Pain medication
- IV Sedation
- Passing a nasogastric tube to check for reflux and for delivery of oil, water and electrolytes
- Witholding feed or a very gradual re-introduction to feed (your vet will advise which is the best option for your horse)
- Prevention :
- Feed good quality roughage and do not feed directly off sandy ground
- Avoid rapid changes in feed
- Monitor water intake and add electrolytes to feed, particularly in the summer months or if in strenuous work
- Conduct fecal egg counts and maintain a deworming schedule accordingly