Colic

Colic is not a disease itself. but a symptom of a number of different ailments, all of which cause abdominal pain and can vary from a mild digestive problem to a severe life threatening disease. There are two main types of colic: surgical and medical.
Surgical colics are displaced segments (twists) of bowel or hard impactions and they require surgery to cure them.
Medical colics are usually caused by migrating worm larvae, wind, softer impactions, and occasionally inflammatory bowel diseases. Medical colics will respond to lubricants and pain relievers. Occasionally they will require oral or IV fluids. Severe colics are easy to spot but in the early stages it can be difficult to differentiate between the two, and milder cases may initially go unnoticed. Symptoms may include all or some of the following;A horse or pony with colic may look a little "off", anxious or depressed. He may be restless, pacing around the stable or pawing at the ground, constantly shifting his weight - resting one back foot and then the other as if unable to get comfortable. He may look at his flanks or even bite at them as if trying to remove a fly. Some horses seem to get relief by standing with their hind legs splayed, rather like they do do when urinating.
Be on the look out for a reduced appetite. He may go to his bucket then decide that he is not interested or eat his favourite food but reject his hay net. He may lay down more than normal, alternating lying flat out with periods of sitting up. (Horses rarely lie down in the rain - be suspicious if you see this.) If the pain is worse, he may lay down and roll gently onto his side and then back up again. If the pain is very bad, he will roll violently.
Sweating is a sign of considerable pain, and is often easier to spot during the winter months when his coat is heavier. Look for areas of dampness behind the ears or around the girth area. If you suspect colic do not delay in calling the vet. Most colics respond quickly but this is always a potentially serious condition. Here are some 'do's and don'ts'-

• Take his temperature; if it's above 101 and you haven't already called a Vet - do so NOW.
• Do not feed anything at all and do not administer medication without the advice of a vet. Small amounts of water are OK.
• Some horses get a little relief from being gently walked in hand (place a rug on the horse or pony if he is sweating and in danger of getting cold) however, do not force the issue if he is reluctant to walk.
• If he insists on rolling try to place him in as safe an environment as you can. A large deeply bedded box may be suitable but beware of the animal becoming cast (stuck) if he rolls in a smaller stable. He may be better off in a small paddock or school.
• Keep yourself out of danger when a horse is likely to roll, you will not be able to help your horse if you become injured yourself

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Colic: Causes, Prevention and Treatment... 

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