Equine Colic

Colic is the No. 1 cause of death in horses, yet--in the simplest meaning of the word--it means only "abdominal pain." While this is a very simple definition, colic itself can be hugely complex, ranging from gas pains to total obstruction to gut death. Knowing as much as you can know about equine colic is an absolute must for any horse owner.

  1. Significance

    • The major significance of colic in the horse is the possibility of death. While the cause of the colic might be something as innocuous as a gas bubble, the resulting pain can cause such thrashing and violent reaction that a gut twist can occur, which will then result in gut death, and cause the horse to have to be euthanized if it does not die on its own. Impaction colic, a blockage of the intestines, has the same dire consequences. Colic is one of the most serious illnesses a horse can endure.

    Types

    • Colic can range from mild, which is essentially a stomachache, to acute and intense--which can result in death within minutes. Most colics have to do with something the horse has eaten. Horses cannot vomit. What goes in must come out, and if it does not, a blockage or stomach upset can occur. This is when the horse will experience colic. Gas colic is when gas bubbles cause pain. Sand colic is when sand is blocking the intestines. Parasite colic is when the die-off of parasites blocks the intestines. Impaction colic is when anything blocks the digestive tract.

    Time Frame

    • Time is of the essence when a horse is colicky. Immediate medical attention is an absolute must. Get your horse to the vet as quickly as possible. If it is a case of mild colic, the horse may be sent home in a few hours. If the colic is severe, expect days--and in the case of surgery--weeks. The important thing is to realize that if colic may be the culprit, immediate action is necessary.

    Effects

    • The effect of colic on a horse can be anything from mild discomfort to acute pain that causes the horse to fling itself to the ground and thrash around in agony. A horse in acute colic can be dangerous, as it may bite and strike in mindless pain. Most colic just displays with obvious distress in the animal--causing it to sweat, paw and roll, and look at its sides as if wondering what to do about the pain. The effects inside can be much more drastic. Blocked intestines can swell and burst, causing agonizing death. Other, more subtle colics can cause gut death, which will kill the horse slowly over an extended period of time. Or, colic can simply resolve and go away with nothing but a bad memory for the horse and its owner.

    Treatments

    • As soon as the horse shows symptoms of colic (discomfort, sweating, biting at sides, pawing and rolling) it must be haltered and made to walk, regardless of whether it wants to or not. Call the veterinarian. If need be, make a trip to the vet hospital. Drugs will be administered and an examination done to determine the source of colic. Fluids will be given in large doses. All food and water must be removed until the colic is resolved. Oil may be given to the horse through a stomach tube. In emergency cases, surgery may be the only option. Regardless of the severity, colic requires treatment by a professional.