The Symptoms of Equine Colic

Veterinarians treat more cases of colic per year than any other ailment or disease. Colic itself is not a disease, but a sign of abdominal pain caused by indigestion, intestinal spasms, over-eating, constipation, obstructions, intestinal twists, food poisoning, excessive internal parasites, and numerous other conditions. Most cases are successfully treated medically, but the few serious cases that need surgery must be operated on within a few hours in order for the outcome to be positive .Therefore, call the veterinarian every time colic presents itself. There are three main types of colic: tympanitic, spasmodic, and obstructive.

  1. Abdominal Pain

    • With all types of colic, the horse suffers some degree of abdominal pain. With tympanitic colic--colic caused by excessive gas--the abdominal pain is continuous and acute. Spasmodic colic is less severe and usually lasts only a few hours, with bouts of acute pain interspersed with periods of normality. Obstructed or thromboembolic colic--colics where there is a blockage causing a shut-off of blood supply to the intestines or the blood vessels--cause the most severe, constant pain.

    Hypoperistalsis and Hyperperistalsis

    • Hypoperistalsis--a reduction or elimination of gut activity--is seen in obstructed colic, impaction colic, volvulus colic and torsion colic. This is a result of the obstruction or twist that is found in the intestines, keeping anything from moving through the intestines in the normal manner. On the other hand, hytperperistalsis--increase in the gut activity--is a symptom of spasmodic colic and tympanitic colic. The sounds heard in the gut are actually the movement of gas in the intestines. They can oftentimes be heard without a stethoscope.

    Changes in Vital Signs

    • Changes in your horse's heart rate, respiration rate and temperature can occur during episodes of colic. However, each type of colic affects these rates differently. Therefore, it is always best to know your horse's normal rates and temperature. According to Dr Thomas Gore, DVM, typically a horse's heart rate is between 30 to 44 beats per minute, their respiration rate is between 10 to 20 breaths per minute and their temperature ranges from 99 to 100.5 degrees F. Increased rates and temperatures are a signal that there is pain or infection within the body and a veterinarian should be called immediately.

    Changes in Fecal Consistency or Amount

    • Depending on the type of colic, the horse owner may see a loose, watery stool or no stool at all. The first condition, loose stool, is sometimes seen in thromboembolic colic. The lack of fecal matter is a symptom of obstructed, torsion and tympanitic colic. Since there is an obstruction, twist or blockage somewhere in the intestine, nothing moves through the bowels.

    Aggressive Behavior

    • Horses suffering from any type of colic often present numerous aggressive behavior patterns. Some of these include: pawing at the ground, biting at their flanks, kicking, repeatedly getting up and down, and rolling. These behaviors are associated with the acute and constant abdominal pain with which the horse suffers during an episode of colic. It is best to walk your horse to keep these behaviors to a minimum, especially rolling. However, do not walk your horse into exhaustion; he is already tired from the stress of the colic.