Colic / Abdominal pain.

Colic is among the most frequent medical emergencies encountered by horse owners, most horses will suffer from colic at some point in their lives. This painful abdominal condition can vary from mild to severe and often requires immediate veterinary care.

Colic is a term for abdominal pain in horses, often resulting from different digestive problems. It can be due to gas accumulation, an intestinal blockage (impaction), problems in the reproductive organs or a twisted intestine. The intensity of colic can differ, with minor instances resolving naturally, while more serious cases might need urgent surgical intervention.

Regardless of the type, early detection is crucial in managing colic and preventing it from worsening.

Symptoms: Pawing, pacing, rolling or scraping the ground, Kicking or biting at the abdomen, "flank watching" (turning the head to look at the abdomen), kicking or bitting their belly, lying on its back, recumbency (unable to stand) , increased respiratory and heart rate, red or purple mucous membranes, sudden loss of appetite, stretching out to alleviate pain, decrease in manure production (can be a sign of impaction/ blockage) to name a few.

Causes and risk factors: Any change in feed, exercise, management, worm burden, dehydration, sand ingestion, lack of fiber/ forage.

What to do: call your vet, remove any feed, keep the horse calm, remove food to avoid any further blockage, in some cases hand walking can ease the signs and avoid some pain, monitor symptons (change in behaviour, constants, manure production, movement..) do not give any medication unless advised by your Vet ( it can mask the symptoms).

Prevention: with prompt attention and proper care, many cases can be successfully managed. Adequate forage intake, consistent feeding regime (if need fee needs to be introduced do it slowly). Maintain hydration with constant access to water and encourage drinking. Keep parasite warden under control with routine faecal egg count, avoid sand ingestion with feeding mats if needed.

Call us if you have any concerns. GSH EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES.