Colic is a word that is used to describe abdominal pain in horses but actually has numerous causes. Every case is unique in how it presents but there are several signs/behaviors that are commonly displayed. Any horse with colic behavior should be evaluated by a veterinarian right away. A few examples of these behaviors that can be seen in horses include:
- Rolling
- Pawing
- Flehman reaction (curling of the upper lip)
- Flank watching (frequent turning of the head and neck to look at the abdomen)
- Profuse sweating
- Standing with hind limbs stretched out
- Laying down for prolonged periods of time
- Decreased or absent manure output and/or urine output
- Decreased or absent appetite and/or drinking
- Restlessness
- Kicking at abdomen
After contacting your veterinarian, remove all food from the horse’s stall/paddock and allow the horse to rest quietly. If the horse is at risk of hurting itself and it is safe for you to do so, handwalking prior to the veterinarian’s arrival can be done. Unless instructed, do not administer anything prior to the veterinarian’s arrival.
Diagnostic Approach
Once the veterinarian arrives, they will usually begin by evaluating the horse’s condition including listening to the heart and gastrointestinal tract. Based on the preliminary evaluation, the veterinarian will either palpate the horse via the rectum and/or pass a nasogastric tube and administer intravenous anti-inflammatory medications (banamine). Further diagnostics are occasionally required to determine the best course of treatment, including digital ultrasound and abdominocentesis (belly tap). As discussed earlier, there are a number of different causes of colic including: intestinal dysfunctions, intestinal accidents (entrapments), and inflammation or ulceration.
Intestinal Dysfunctions:
- This is the most common source of colic and includes gas distension, large colon impactions, and spastic colic (random contractions throughout the gastrointestinal tract)
- These cases are often treatable with medical management either on the farm or in the hospital; however, more advanced cases may require surgical intervention
Intestinal “Accidents”
- These occur less frequently and include large colon torsions, nephrosplenic entrapments, strangulating lipomas, small intestinal volvulus, and many more
- In the majority of these cases, parts of the intestine are compromised (have lost their blood supply) and are at risk of dying off
- These cases generally display more violent colic signs
- These cases of colic almost always require surgical intervention for survival
Inflammation or Ulceration
- These occur less frequently and can involve different segments of the gastrointestinal tract
- Inflammation and ulceration of the GI tract can be caused by stress, medication, infection, and parasites
- These cases are often treatable via medical management
Once diagnosed, your veterinarian will determine the best course of treatment/management, whether it be medical or surgical management. Medical management can either be on the farm or in the hospital and can include pain-relievers/anti-inflammatory medications, fluid therapy, laxatives, and tranquilizers. Occasionally, cases that start with medical management may require surgical intervention later on.
Preventing Colic
While colic in itself cannot always be prevented, there are things that you can do to decrease the likelihood of it occurring, including: establishing a set routine, limiting the amount of grain in the diet, providing daily exercise, ensuring proper dental care, ensuring access to clean and fresh water at all times, avoiding feeding on sand or gravel, and reducing stress whenever possible.