COLIC

This month vets at Riverdene have seen over 20 cases of colic. The increase is probably associated with the prevailing drought conditions.

While colic can be life threatening, and occasional horses require surgery to correct torsions, entrapments etc, the vast majority are able to recover with appropriate assessment, pain relief, monitoring and other medications (eg those administered by stomach tube or IV fluids).

Horses can get colic while receiving the best of care, however some important things to keep in mind in order to minimise the risk include: ensuring a constant supply of both fresh water and good quality roughage. Inadequate or poor quality roughage can cause impactions, toxicity, scavenging weeds, displacements, picking up sand/dirt etc. Regular worming and dental care are also important preventative measures.

Riverdene vets are always happy to advise or assist with preventative measures and recognise that this is a far better option than a “fire brigade” visit when things go wrong.

We are also very pleased with the response we have received to our computerised x-ray system. Everyone who has had horses x-rayed recently has been impressed. We were pleased to break the $1 million dollar barrier with yearlings that have been x-rayed at the clinic and then gone on to be sold at recent Thoroughbred auctions around the country. As well as heading to every corner of Australia, yearlings radiographed at Riverdene have been snapped up by the selective Hong Kong and South African markets as well as New Zealand and elsewhere.