'Colic’ is a general term used to describe abdominal pain and is a clinical syndrome that is commonly recognized in horses. Colic can be caused by many different abnormalities occurring within the abdominal cavity of the horse. For horse owners it is advantageous to be familiar with the clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment options for colic as most horses will encounter this problem at some point in their lives.
The first step in resolving abdominal pain is being able to recognize when a horse is colicky. Generally, colic horses are depressed, restless and uninterested in feed. They will often paw at the ground, look back or kick at their flanks or lie down and roll. Additional signs of colic include frequently lying down and getting back up and posturing as if to urinate. For most horses with colic, prompt veterinary care is recommended. Experienced horse owners or trainers may elect to walk the horse, administer analgesics provided by their vet and observe the animal for a short time before calling in help.
The initial goal on veterinary examination is to determine if there is a need for surgical treatment as this often requires referral to an equine surgical facility. If surgery is needed, time is of the essence. Your veterinarian may recommend referral if the horse does not respond well to analgesics, if the horse has poor cardiovascular status or a severely elevated heart rate, or based on the findings of rectal palpation or other diagnostic procedures performed. Severe impactions or displaced or twisted intestines generally require surgical correction in order for the horse to survive.
The most common cause of colic in horses is gas or spasmodic colic. Gas colic can cause a horse to be relatively in pain and uncomfortable but often responds well to analgesics (Banamine – flunixin meglumine) and some walking. If necessary, your vet can also administer more potent pain relievers if routine treatment is not providing relief. Impaction is also a common cause of colic and can be brought on by feeding coarse, poor quality hay, dehydration or heavy parasite burdens. Mild impactions can often be alleviated with a laxative such as mineral oil administered by stomach tube. Owners should not try to administer mineral oil orally due to the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
Because of the nature of the equine digestive system it is important to feed horses a high quality forage to prevent cases of colic. Horses are designed to eat primarily roughage and do better on a diet consisting largely of good quality hay or pasture. Adequate amounts of exercise also help to promote healthy digestion and normal progression of food through the gastrointestinal tract of a horse and therefore can be a means to prevent colic. Additionally, horses should be on a parasite control program from the time they are a foal on into adulthood. Owners should also remember to allow horses access to water when on long rides to keep animals well hydrated. If an episode of colic were to arise, don’t hesitate to call on veterinary assistance.
Darren Loula, DVM, is a large animal veterinarian at Fair Grove Vet Service in Fair Grove, Mo.
