E120
 Colic

General Information:
  1. Colic is a general term for any type of abdominal pain. The pain can come from the intestines, liver, kidneys, or any other structure within the abdomen.
  2. Colic is the #1 killer of horses.
  3. Some breeds (Arabians) and animals over 8 years seem to be the most susceptible.
  4. Because the horse cannot vomit, great pressure is placed on the stomach when problems arise.

Causes: True colic, involving the intestines or stomach, can be caused by many different things:

  1. Gas distension
  2. Foreign objects/impactions (manure, hair, mineralized rock, sand, etc.)
  3. Displaced bowel (twists)
  4. Infectious agents (Salmonella)
  5. Parasites (small and large Strongyles) - This is the #1 cause of colic in a foal
  6. Anything that compromises the blood supply to the intestines
  7. Tumors in an old animal
  8. Ulcers
  9. Sand

Risk Factors: Many times it is not known why an animal colics. Here are a few possibilities:

  1. Changes in environment or feed
  2. Changes in weather
  3. Changes in management or housing
  4. Anything that causes the horse to stop drinking

Clinical Signs: (One or all of these signs can be present.) The horse may act uncomfortable or uneasy and play with the feed or water bucket. The horse often sweats, rolls, paws, and even kicks at its abdomen. Curling of the lips, turning of the head towards the flank, and stretching are often seen. Some of the more severe signs include getting up and down aggressively, rolling to the point of injury, and severe lethargy. See figures 1-3.

Diagnosis: It is important to begin with an overall evaluation of the horse, reflecting on the past history and assessing the severity of the pain.

  1. First, evaluate how the heart (cardiovascular system) is responding.

  1. Feel the extremities to determine whether they are warm or cold.

  2. Look at the mucous membranes of the mouth. Are they pale, with poor refill time? Are they dark red or blue in color? See page B105 for additional information.

    3.

  3. It is a good idea to know what the normal resting heart rate of the horse is prior to this time; (normal rates in an adult range from 30-40 beats per minute). (See page A560 for normal rates or refer to page I 308 of the appendix if the heart rate of the horse has been recorded prior to this time.) As a horse’s pain increases, so does its heart rate. A rate of 60 to 70 beats per minute or higher is not uncommon in a horse experiencing pain.

*An animal with a rapid, weak pulse, cold extremities and poor refill time is probably in shock and should receive immediate professional attention!

  1. Next, listen to the abdomen with a stethoscope. See page B890 for additional information.
  1. It should be considered abnormal if few to no gut sounds are heard (hypomotile), or if the gut sounds never stop (hypermotile). A normal abdomen will have some sort of gut sound in every minute.
  1. At this point, a decision should be made whether or not to involve a veterinarian. If the horse is in pain and showing no improvement, call your veterinarian. The veterinarian may pass a tube into the stomach (looking for fluid), perform a rectal palpation, an abdominocentesis (tap the abdomen), or collect blood for routine blood work. These additional tests will help the owner and the veterinarian decide the best treatment for the horse. Record the above information on page I 632 in the appendix.

Treatment:
  1. The following are some things that can be done before the veterinarian arrives:
  1. Keep the horse from consuming any more feed.
  2. Have a good history of past de-wormings and previous treatments, as well as when the horse last defecated.
  3. Allow the horse to do some light walking, particularly if the animal is rolling and is likely to injure itself.

* Be aware that excessive walking may cause the horse to over-exert and lead to exhaustion.

  1. After careful evaluation, the veterinarian may advise:
  1. Giving the horse some Banamine, IM or IV, to help with general abdominal pain.
  2. Giving 1/4 of the normal dose of de-wormer. This may be helpful in foals or animals that have not been de-wormed recently.
  1. The veterinarian may administer any of the following:
  1. Sedation/analgesia like Xylazine (Rompun), Torbugesic, or Ace, if needed.
  2. Mineral oil or other solutions into the stomach.
  3. IV fluids (see figure 4).

 

A colicky horse will sweat, act uncomfortable, and want to roll.

 

It is acceptable to let the horse roll as long as the horse is not injuring itself. 

 

Sedation or analgesia can help the horse be more comfortable.

 

Intravenous (IV) fluid administration to a sedated, colicky horse.

 

  1. After routine treatment has been administered and an extensive exam has been performed, the horse is often given some time to respond. The horse’s response to treatment will determine if surgery is necessary. Often candidates for surgery are those animals that require repeated doses of analgesia and sedation to control the pain. These animals continue to have high heart rates, poor refill times, and their condition continues to deteriorate. The experience and expertise of a veterinarian can help in making this decision.

Prevention: Often it is impossible to prevent every incident of colic. However, being a conscientious and responsible owner can go a long way in preventing this problem. Good management and disease prevention practices are essential. Good nutrition, good water, and consistent de-worming are highly recommended. When a horse is thought to have colic, quick and appropriate action on the owner’s part can result in a more successful outcome.