Equine Colic Medications

Colic, a serious and potentially fatal condition that occurs commonly in horses, does not have a specific treatment. Essentially, colic is stomach pain. However, since a horse cannot vomit and has a long digestive tract, the causes of the pain can be life-threatening. Certain medications can help treat colic, while other medications can cause colic. Most treatments for colic are not medicinal.

  1. Features of Colic

    • Colic is technically a case of upset stomach. In horses, however, it almost always refers to a disturbance in the gastrointestinal tract. The most common disturbances are gas, food or sand impactions or blockage, and worms. According to My Horse University, causes of colic include sudden changes in feed, ingestion of sand or too much grain, contaminated feed, tooth problems, certain medications, dehydration, and stress.

      A colicky horse can die if not treated. Symptoms include bloating, distress, rolling, strange postures, and lethargy. A horse also may kick and paw at its stomach.

    Buscopan

    • The most common drug used to treat equine colic is Buscopan. According to The Horse, a website on equine health, Buscopan is an injectable, antispasmodic drug that calms a colon that has spasms, and causes muscles to relax. Buscopan is popular, according to Purdue University's veterinary school, because it takes effect in under 10 minutes and does not mask pain that may signal further problems.
      However, medication should only be given under a veterinarian's approval. Improperly administered medications can mask symptoms or exacerbate the condition.

    Other Medicines for Treating Colic

    • Certain other medications can be used to treat colic or relieve symptoms. However, medication should only be given under a veterinarian's approval. Improperly administered medications can mask symptoms or exacerbate the condition.

      One particular herb, boneset, also is antispasmodic, according to The Horse. Pro-motility drugs, pain relievers, sedatives, and laxatives also can be administered. According to KBR Horse Health Information, another medicinal treatment, when approved by a veterinarian, is to mix crushed aspirin with bran mash and encourage the horse to eat.

    Medicines That Can Cause Colic

    • Alternatively, some medications actually can cause colic. Some research has shown that a horse that has been treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may have an outbreak of colic within 24 hours of the original dose, according to the website, No More Horse Colic. As well, antibiotics can cause colic when they destroy the beneficial bacteria in the horse's gut.

    Adverse Reactions to Medication

    • While some medicines do not cause colic outright, they can exacerbate the condition or cause side effects. NSAIDs, for example, are sometimes used to treat colic (even if certain NSAIDs can actually cause it). However, as a pain reliever, an NSAIDs can mask the horse's pain, making its condition more difficult to diagnose. NSAIDs, according to North Caroline State University's veterinary school, can cause kidney problems in young or old horses.

      Buscopan typically increases a horse's heart rate for half an hour after ingestion. However, Purdue University's veterinary department maintains that the drug's fast-acting abilities make it one of the most valuable medications for treating colic.