COLIC

While colic has been “in the news”, so to speak, for several issues now, the ongoing high incidence of cases has continued to raise some interesting points. The most common source of queries appears to stem from the period while waiting for, or prior to calling, the vet.

The most important initial step is probably not to panic. While it is distressing to see your horse unwell or in pain, and the very word colic will strike fear into the hearts of most horse owners, it must be remembered that the vast majority of cases (95%) will be resolved with simple medical treatment. Try to recall the last time you had a pain in the “belly”. Like people, many cases of colic involve gas, eating too much, too quickly, eating the wrong thing, not drinking enough water and getting “bound-up” etc and can usually be easily rectified. Do not take this for granted though and fail to seek veterinary advice as a minority of colics can be life threatening.

Next make an assessment of the horse. How painful is it? Standing, pawing and flank watching represents a very different level of pain compared with sweating and throwing themselves on the ground. For those of you who are able, a more detailed assessment may include taking the horse’s heart and respiratory rates, listening for gut sounds and checking temperature and gum colour.

Unless you have been advised otherwise by the vet who will be treating the horse DO NOT give the horse any medication or treatment. Treatments given by owners are often inappropriate or may mask signs of trouble so the vet is not given a full understanding of the condition of the horse when we see them.

Some of the common “home remedies” include beer (there is no rationale for its use as horses can’t ‘burp’ and any potential analgesic effect would be lost in a horse sized body), dosing with oil (vegetable oils will be absorbed by the horse and will not help pass an impaction and even if owners have access to paraffin oil, such a large volume is required that it can only be given by stomach tube as other methods are likely to result in aspiration).

Do not use “Dr Bell’s” or any left over Bute, or buscopan etc. None of these treatments are now regarded as being a good idea in colic patients unless very specifically indicated.

The other commonly held belief amongst owners regarding the colic patient is that they must be endlessly walked and must not be allowed to lie down. Remember back to when you felt sick, did you feel happier lying on the couch or hiking around they block? If necessary, move the horse to somewhere it won’t get tangled in the fence or traumatise itself further then allow them a bit of peace and quiet. The horse that rolls in its paddock after exercise or after it has been washed for a show (!) does not immediately “twist its bowel”. Lying down or rolling can be a sign of colic rather than a cause. Lying down or rolling may also allow minor displacements to return to their rightful positions, and in fact, deliberately rolling the horse under anaesthetic has been used by vets to correct some displacements. Of course, we are not suggesting that you should just allow your colicky horse to knock itself around in the hope that it will get better as the rolling is an indication of pain. Veterinary assessment, pain relief and treatment should be promptly sought.

After panic, inappropriate treatments and endless walking the final main source of queries/concerns is in regard to transporting the colic patient. Most horses will remain on their feet if loaded onto a float and in fact some may be considerably better after a float ride. Of course the horse in more severe pain/ with a more serious problem may want to go down in the float but it is these horses that will benefit most from being transferred to a hospital situation. The advantages of being in hospital, including ongoing monitoring by a vet without the need for costly revisits, ability to stomach tube/reflux horse as required, ability to provide intravenous fluid therapy and rapid accessibility to surgery if required etc certainly outweigh any perceived disadvantages associated with travelling the horse. As a general rule (unless immediate first aid or euthanasia are indicated) the sicker the horse the more important it is to organise prompt transport to a hospital situation.

If you have any concerns or would like further information about colic please feel free to contact us at Riverdene.