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Obstruction
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Obstruction refers to the presence of something within the gastrointestinal tract that prevents normal movement. Some possible causes of obstruction include impaction due to parasites or other foreign bodies; displacement, particularly of the intestines; feed or sand obstruction; and cancer in some rare cases.
Enteroliths are a common source of colic. These mineralized stones form around foreign objects within the body in much the same way that pearls are formed within an oyster. Enteroliths can grow quite large, often the size of a softball or bigger.
Sand colic results from the buildup of sand within the intestines. Horses eat sand with their hay or roughage and through regular grazing.
Strangulation
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Strangulation refers in general to a twisting of the intestines but can also be a diaphragmatic hernia (displacement of gastrointestinal organs into the chest cavity) or entrapment of the intestines within other structures in the abdomen. Strangulation compromises the blood supply in the intestines and can cause parts of the intestines to die. This disorder causes the horse intense pain and may require surgery to correct.
Inflammation
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Colic can be caused by inflammation within the structures of the abdomen. Inflammation can result from an infection, which in turn can be caused by bacteria or even parasites. Inflammation can also result from the presence of toxins; common toxic causes of colic in adults are the overeating of grains, blister beetles found in some hays, and drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) given for other maladies.
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What Are the Causes of Colic in Adults?
The term colic is a catch-all phrase used to describe any painful condition involving the abdomen in horses. Colic can involve the stomach, intestines, or colon. It is a serious medical condition that should be treated immediately upon the onset of signs of distress. Colic in adult horses can result from many different causes, only a few of which can be avoided.