Intestinal Colic Treatment

A leading killer of horses, colic refers to a variety of ailments affecting the equine gastrointestinal tract. Treatment can be as simple as walking a horse to stimulate a bowel movement to trigger an obstruction into moving, or as life-threatening as a twisted intestine that requires immediate surgery. Regardless of the intensity of the attack, just the word 'colic' can strike fear into the heart of anyone who owns a horse.

  1. What is Intestinal Colic?

    • Intestinal colic in horses is a term that applies to a number of conditions that cause pain in the intestines. The pain can be caused by a blockage of feed or sand, by a "torsion," a twisting of the intestine that cuts off blood flow, or by the ingestion of a toxin or foreign objects such as wood splinters, stones or twine.

    Symptoms

    • Horses suffering from a colic attach typically appear uninterested in eating and may run a low-grade fever. It may be listless or restless and begin kicking at its belly, swishing its tail or lying down to roll. Do not allow a colicking horse to roll as this could cause a torsion. The horse may also attempt to urinate or defecate without success. As the pain increases, the horse begins to sweat. Horse owners who suspect a horse is colicking should immediately call their vet.

    Treatment

    • Walk the colicking horse for 15 minutes. Release the horse into an enclosed area such as a corral or turnout paddock and observe its behavior. Do not allow the horse to lie down or roll, as this could cause a potentially deadly torsion.

      Typical treatments administered by a veterinarian include pain relievers such a Phenylbutazone, Butraphol or morphine, and possibly a muscle relaxant. A vet also listens for gut sounds to determine if the colic is caused by an impaction. Impactions are typically treated by administering a gallon or more of an intestinal lubricant such as mineral oil via a stomach tube.

      If the colic is caused by a torsion, or twisting of the intestine, treatment is often surgery to remove the damaged section of bowel to save the horse's life.

    Recovery

    • If treatment for an impaction is successful, the horse should show signs of improvement within an hour. Sweating stops, signs of pain subside and the horse will move its bowels. It will relax and show interest in food and water and its surroundings. Another indication of relaxing is licking of the lips and chewing movements.
      If improvement doesn't occur within an hour or the horse's condition worsens, call the vet back out. About 10% of horses die from colic, many due to not getting proper veterinary help soon enough. In the case of a twisted gut, waiting even an hour may be too long as the torsion could worsen beyond help.

    Precautions

    • Keep equine first aid supplies on hand that are indicated for the relief of colic-related pain to help the horse relax and not worsen the situation by thrashing or rolling while waiting for the vet's arrival. Phenylbutazone tablets or paste and banamine paste are typical barn first-aid staples but always consult with a vet before administering any treatment to a horse that may be colicking and follow the vet's directions closely.

      Proper care and maintenance is the best colic preventative. Deworm a horse regularly. Always feed the amount appropriate to the horse's level of work and physical condition. Do not over feed a horse or feed a hot horse. Feed only high-quality, equine-appropriate feeds and hay on a regular daily schedule. Keep clean water available at all times. Regular exercise can also help keep a horse's intestinal tract moving normally.