|
 Colic
means only “pain in
the abdomen” or
“pain in the belly”.
There are many
causes for such pain
in horses, ranging
from mild to
potentially fatal.
There are many
reasons horses
colic. Mares are at
risk to twist their
colons two to four
months after
foaling. A change in
feed, weather, or
makes some horses
become
uncomfortable.
Whatever the cause,
any colic should be
treated by a
veterinarian
immediately.
Impaction
happens when the
intestine becomes
blocked by a firm
mass of food. This
is a fairly common
type of colic and
usually does not
require surgical
intervention.
Gas sometimes
builds up in the
intestine, most
commonly in the
large intestine
and/or cecum. The
gas stretches the
intestine, causing
pain. Gas colics
usually resolve
fairly easily with
appropriate
treatment.
In a displacement,
a portion of the
intestine has moved
to an abnormal
position in the
abdomen. A
“volvulus” or
“torsion” occurs
when a piece of the
intestine twists.
These types of colic
cause a total
blockage of the
intestine and
require immediate
surgery.
Enteritis/colitis
occur due to
inflammation of the
small or large
intestine.
Gastric distension
or rupture can occur
when a horse gorges
itself on grain of
when a substance…The
horse’s small
stomach and its
inability to vomit
mean that the
stomach may burst.
Enterlith
Colon torsion
Signs of colic
-
Lying down more
that usual
-
Getting up and
lying down
repeatedly
-
Standing
stretched out
-
Standing
frequently as if
to urinate
-
Turning the head
toward the flank
-
Pawing the
ground
-
Kicking at the
abdomen
-
Rolling
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