In Part 1 of this article, I discussed how colic is not a disease but a group of signs shown by a horse experiencing abdominal pain. The signs can range in severity from a subtle reduction in appetite to violent rolling or thrashing. I explained that abdominal pain (colic) could be caused by any number of conditions (“Conditions Causing Colic” or CCC’s) that affect any part of the equine gastrointestinal tract.
When a non-vet notices a horse in colic pain, they have no way to differentiate these conditions. The problem might be minor or it might be fatal. Some of the common, simple conditions (gas or spasm) often disappear with a little time and no treatment. These are the same simple conditions that will disappear if a horse is walked, given a trailer ride, or given “a little Banamine® or Buscopan®”.
A high percentage of horses showing signs of colic pain (with the simple CCC’s) resolve spontaneously. But if the pain is due to a true mechanical obstruction of the intestine (such as a displaced, twisted, or severely impacted intestine) the condition will worsen rapidly and can quickly result in death. These cases will require immediate veterinary intervention and possible intensive care or surgery. So when you see a horse in colic pain, you are faced with a situation that could go either way. For this reason, to reduce risk, it is best to contact your veterinarian at the first sign of any colic.
Horses showing signs of colic can be classified into the following groups:
Your Role
To be a knowledgeable equine caretaker, you need to know something about colic:
Beyond this basic knowledge, the most important thing to do when you identify colic is to call your veterinarian immediately, to alert them and to discuss the situation. Even though simple conditions may resolve spontaneously, it is best to start a dialog immediately.
Depending on the circumstances, your vet may want to see your horse immediately or may want you to observe for a period of time to see if the problem resolves on its own. There are a few things that you should almost always do when your horse is showing signs of colic:
The message I send to my clients is: “I don’t need to see every horse that shows signs of colic, but I need to know about each one.” If you communicate with me, I can help you determine the ones that I do need to see. That will depend on the value of the horse (or your emotional attachment to the horse), your finances, and your tolerance for risk.
Your Veterinarian’s Role
Your vet’s role is to use physical examination and diagnostic tests to try to make a definitive diagnosis, or at least assign the case to one of the groups above as early as possible. An accurate diagnosis means appropriate treatment and accurate prognosis.
The veterinary examination of a horse showing colic starts with a careful history. Certain types of colic are more common in certain breeds, ages, and in one sex or the other. Veterinarians consider these factors as they consider the possibilities for the CCC. A careful history can provide other clues that can help a veterinarian make a diagnosis.
An experienced veterinarian quickly combines all the information gathered from the history, physical exam and diagnostic tests, and comes up with a likely diagnosis and a treatment plan. Treatment will depend on the specific condition suspected or diagnosed and might include medications for pain, oral and/or intravenous fluids, antibiotics, drugs to stimulate intestinal movement, ulcer medications, or laxatives, or enemas for foals.
Sometimes the examination and diagnostics suggest that emergency colic surgery is the best or only course of treatment. It is expensive and requires an extensive rehabilitation period. The prognosis depends on the specific condition diagnosed, and often this remains unknown until the abdomen is explored by the surgeon. In general, survival rates are much better than they were in the past. Many horse owners cannot afford these services in today’s economy and horse industry.
Your vet’s role is to try to diagnose what might be causing the colic pain in your horse, and then to provide you the diagnostic and treatment options and their costs. If your vet does not have the diagnostic experience or equipment to make a diagnosis, then they should offer you referral to someone who can. Once the problem has been resolved, it is their role to discuss management to reduce the likelihood of the problem in the future.
Management for Prevention of Colic
CCC’s cause more equine deaths each year than any other cause. The economic loss to the industry caused by CCC’s is second only to lameness. Why are CCC’s such a problem for domestic horses?
Domestic horses evolved from wild horses. Wild horses were constantly active, moving and grazing on coarse grasses throughout the day, eating small and frequent meals. Their intestine evolved to accommodate this lifestyle. Unlike wild horses, many modern horses are confined in small areas and fed one or two rich meals per day. This lifestyle change works against the structure and function of the equine intestine. Good management practices mimic the “wild horse state” as closely as practical. While conditions causing colic can affect even the most well managed horses, smart management is a key component of prevention.
It helps to consider colic “trigger factors” that are factors that may increase the likelihood of a CCC. Trigger factors include:
I encourage all horse owners to do the following to minimize intestinal problems in their horses:
Conclusion
The key to preventing conditions causing colic is an understanding of what colic is and how the changed lifestyle we have imposed on horses contributes to the problem. The solution is good management that mimics the “wild state” and minimizes colic triggers. The key to saving horses affected by CCC’s is the early recognition of colic signs and the early involvement of your veterinarian.
By Douglas O. Thal DVM Dipl. ABVPBoard Certified in Equine PracticeThal Equine LLCLast Updated May 20149:00 am - 12:00 pm
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