Equine Reflux

Your horse comes in from the field, refuses to eat. Its abdomen is distended and the horse appears to be in pain. Horses cannot vomit, and the veterinary diagnosis of an accumulation of fluid in the gut, called reflux, points to a serious condition that needs immediate treatment.

  1. Significance

    • According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, nasogastic reflux indicates serious gastrointestinal diseases in horses. They include early-onset colic, enteritis, large colon disease and small-intestinal ileus--all potentially fatal conditions.

    Cause

    • Reflux occurs when the horse's intestines malfunction and stop absorbing fluids. Large amounts of fluid start to accumulate in the intestines, causing the gut, and eventually the stomach, to swell and become painful.

    Symptoms

    • The affected horse shows signs of abdominal pain (rolling, kicking at his side, getting up and down repeatedly), loss of thirst and appetite, bloated abdomen, depression and dry, tacky gums. Severe reflux may cause fluids to drain from your horse's nose and mouth.

    Treatment

    • Treatment of reflux includes insertion of a nasogastric tube to relieve stomach distension and remove fluids. Veterinarians will start large amounts of intravenous fluids, broad-spectrum antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, and will keep your horse from feeding for three to five days. Surgery might be necessary correct the problem (impacted colic, twisted intestine or intestinal obstruction) and save your horse's life.

    Warning

    • Reflux is a veterinary emergency. Without treatment, your horse's stomach and intestines could rupture, twist and die, decomposing in your horse's abdomen. In addition, the affected horse can suffer severe pain.