Equine Colic

22 January 2010

Colic is defined as the presence of abdominal pain. It is non-specific, catch-all phrase as there are multiple causes of colic. Colic episodes can occur suddenly or can be mild and relatively self-limiting, waxing and waning over the course of several hours or event days. Signs of colic in horses are variable and often depend on the severity, location, and cause of the pain. Some typical signs of colic are:

• Lying down more than normal or getting up and lying down repeatedly;
• Standing stretched out or urinating frequently;
• Sweating, anxiety, trembling;
• Flank watching;
• Inappetance and depression;
• Pawing the ground;
• Decreased fecal output or diarrhea;
• kicking or biting the abdomen;
• Curling the upper lip repeatedly;
• Sweating; and
• Rolling or thrashing

Causes of Colic

While dysfunction of the heart, musculoskeletal system, or urogenital tract can also cause a horse to colic, the majority of colic episodes stem from the gastrointestinal tract. A horse's gastrointestinal system is complex in structure and function, and virtually any aspect of the gastrointestinal tract can be affected. Some of the more common causes of colic are stomach ulcers, distension, tumors, and impactions.

What to do if Colic is suspected

Call your vet

If your horse is colicking, call your vet immediately. If possible, check your horse's vital signs. This information will assist your veterinarian in establishing the severity of the colic episode and whether or not your horse is likely to require referral to a veterinarian hospital for advanced care. While waiting for your vet to arrive, remove any sources of food and water. If possible, move your horse to an area that is safe in case he rolls, but do not put yourself in danger to do so. Do not administer any medications before your horse has been examined by the veterinarian. 

Diagnosis

Once your veterinarian arrives, she/he will perform a physical exam and ask questions regarding the history of this and previous colic episodes. In addition to measuring heart and respiratory rates and assessing hydration and blood flow (perfusion), the veterinarian will listen to the horse's abdomen to determine if the gut sounds are increased, decreased, or absent.

Treatment

The majority of colic cases can be successfully managed by the primary veterinarian. Intravenous fluids or oral fluids and/or laxative (eg. mineral oil) are often included in the routine management of colic.

Prevention

Ways to minimise colic incidents include maintaining a regular exercise program, ensuring free access to water, keeping a consistent feeding schedule, and controlling internal parasites. Introduce any changes in diet or routine slowly, and avoid changing more than one factor at a time.