Equine Colic: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

18/10/2022

Prevention
Once you figure out the cause and have treated the colic, some of the preventative measures are self-explanatory. For example, if an abrupt change in diet caused a problem, make sure to make dietary changes gradually in the future. Some other preventative measures include:
Feed your horse on a regular schedule even on the weekends.
Do not make sudden changes to the horse's diet.
A clean fresh water supply should always be available.
hay racks as well as the feedstuffs clean and free of mold and dust.
Check teeth frequently for dental problems that may cause chewing issues.
Provide adequate exercise.
Feed the appropriate amount of forage (at least 50% of the total diet).
Keep feed off the ground to avoid sand ingestion.
Practice an effective parasite control program that fits your farms needs.

18/10/2022

Gas colic – all colics are associated with some gas build up. Gas can accumulate in the stomach as well as the intestines. As gas builds up, the gut distends, causing abdominal pain. Excessive gas can be produced by bacteria in the gut after ingestion of large amounts of grain or moldy feeds. A nasogastric (stomach) tube inserted by a veterinarian is used to relieve the pressure of the gas and fluid accumulation in the stomach.
Spasmodic colic - defined as painful contractions of the smooth muscle in the intestines. Spasmodic colic has been compared to indigestion in people and is usually easily treated by a veterinarian. Over excitement can trigger spasmodic colic.
Enteritis – inflammation of the intestine possibly due to bacteria, grain overload or tainted feed. Horses with enteritis may also have diarrhea. Enteritis is often hard to diagnose and may present itself similar to displacement or impaction colics.

18/10/2022

Top 12 Causes of Colic and How to Prevent Them
Equine colic cannot be prevented 100% of the time, but there are measures you can take to greatly reduce your horse’s chance of developing this painful condition. Most of these measures revolve around managing and feeding horses as naturally as possible
Here we list some of the top causes of colic, along with what you can do to prevent them.
1) STALL CONFINEMENT
Horses stalled more than 50% of the time are at increased risk of colic when compared to horses that have pasture turnout more than 50% of the time.
Increased stabling (more than 12 hours per day) has been shown to have noticeable physiological effects on horses. This includes decreased colonic motility, and decreased movement of digesta through the gut.
Stall confinement is also associated with wind-sucking or cribbing, which may contribute to an increased risk of colic.
The solution to this problem is simple: turnout. By allowing horses as much turnout time as possible, you will automatically reduce their chances of developing colic since both movement and grazing will help keep the digestive system functioning smoothly.
2) HIGH GRAIN/LOW FORAGE DIETS
Horses’ digestive systems are better equipped to process forage than concentrates. Research shows that feeding large amounts of grain or other concentrated feeds can increase a horse’s risk of developing colic.
When a horse is fed a high-grain diet, the digestive tract cannot process and absorb all the sugar in the feed before it reaches the hindgut. This can result in hindgut dysfunction and acidosis.
Twice daily feeding of concentrates is also associated with the secretion of large amounts of fluid into the small intestine which, in turn, leads to the absorption of fluid from the large colon. This can cause dehydration of colonic contents and impaction colic.
Feeding horses appropriately can reduce their risk of colic. If concentrates must be fed, feed smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
Also, ensure that the majority of your horse’s diet is grass/forage or hay. A horse should consume at least 1-2% of their body weight in forage daily.
You can submit your horse’s diet for complementary evaluation by our equine nutritionists to determine whether your horse is meeting their nutritional and feeding requirements.
3) INADEQUATE DEWORMING PRACTICES
In one study that surveyed 774 equine veterinarians, researchers found that horses receiving dewormers on a regular basis had a decreased risk of colic.
However, the research also showed that administering dewormers to foals can cause colic associated with intestinal obstruction from the rapid death of ascarids (parasitic roundworms).
The general consensus is that a regular deworming program will help to prevent colic in most cases. Check with your veterinarian to see which dewormers are recommended for your area and how often you should administer them.
When deworming your horse, it is a good idea to supplement your horse’s diet with probiotics to restore balance to the digestive tract.
4) SAND INGESTION
Horses grazing or eating off of sandy ground may ingest too much sand which can cause sand accumulation in the colon and colic.
To prevent sand colic, avoid feeding horses on sandy soil. Instead, feed them in raised feeders or hay racks.
Some research suggests adding psyllium, probiotics and prebiotics to the equine diet can help increase f***l sand output to decrease the risk of sand colic.
If you live in an area with sandy soil, consider a digestive health supplement containing prebiotics to decrease sand accumulation in the hindgut.
5) ABRUPT FEEDING CHANGES
Microbes in the horse’s gut acclimate to digesting certain types of feed and hay. When changes are made too quickly, a disruption occurs in those microbes which can lead to colic.
All feeding changes should be done gradually, over a period of 7-10 days. This goes for concentrates as well as changes in hay or pasture.
If you know that your horse is especially sensitive to any type of feed change, you can even prolong the transition to several weeks.
6) DEHYDRATION
Horses that don’t drink enough water are at higher risk of developing impaction colic. Since horses tend to drink less in winter, encourage drinking by providing a warmed water source.
This can be done with heated or insulated buckets or tank heaters. Keep in mind that horses cannot lick ice or eat snow and stay hydrated.
You can also soak hay cubes or pellets in winter to increase water intake.
It is always recommended to provide free-choice loose salt to encourage drinking throughout the year. A salt lick or salt block will not provide enough sodium to significantly increase water intake. Plain loose salt should always be available to your horse.
7) MOLDY FEED OR HAY
Mold in feed or hay can disrupt microbes in the horse’s gut and lead to colic. Some types of mold also produce toxins that can cause severe digestive upset. Therefore, never feed grain or any type of concentrate that has been exposed to moisture. If a feed smells off, it’s better to throw it out rather than risk colic.
The same goes for hay: if hay appears or smells moldy, do not feed it. Horses eating from round bales will typically leave any moldy parts alone. However, if their diet is more restrictive, they may eat hay they wouldn’t otherwise consume.
8) STRESS
Stress has also been known to cause equine colic. For horses, common stressors include:
Long transport
Stabling changes
Intense training
Increased stall confinement
Changes to the social environment
Herd dynamic
Though not every type of stressor can be avoided, keeping stress to a minimum is an important part of colic prevention, especially for horses with a history of colic.
9) LONG-TERM USE OF NSAIDS
Long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) is a common cause of recurring and often low-grade colic. Because NSAIDs inhibit chemicals known as prostaglandins, their use can lead to decreased mucous production and a lower gastric pH.
In turn, prolonged use of NSAIDs can cause gastric or hindgut ulcers and recurring colic can be a symptom.
NSAIDs are meant to be used for short term pain management, not as a long-term solution. Phenylbutazone (bute) has the lowest margin of safety as far as side effects are concerned and should not be given to horses with gastro-intestinal disease.
If your horse is dealing with a chronic issue such as arthritis, talk to your veterinarian about pain management alternatives to NSAIDs. For horses with arthritis or joint pain, we typically recommend MSM powder and w-3 oil with omega-3 fatty acids as natural supplements to support healthy tendons, ligaments and cartilage.
10) DENTAL PROBLEMS
Dental problems can lead to poor chewing and maldigestion, which in turn, can cause both esophageal impaction (choke) and/or intestinal impactions. Horses should receive regular dental care, especially as they age.
For older horses with worn teeth, feeding softer feeds, such as senior feeds, can be helpful. If they have trouble eating hay, consider soaking it or feeding soaked hay cubes or chopped hay.
11) PREVIOUS HISTORY OF COLIC
Horses with a previous history of colic or colic surgery are more likely to colic again.
If this applies to your horse, it’s important to manage and feed them as naturally as possible.
Consider supplementing with a digestive supplement like Optimum Digestive Health or Optimum Probiotics to help keep the gut’s microbial population in balance and reduce the chance of recurring colic.

18/10/2022

Types of Colic
Colic is related to many different maladies and include the following:
Stomach distention – the small capacity of the horse’s stomach makes it susceptible to distension when large amounts of grain are ingested in a single meal. There is the potential for the stomach to rupture which is fatal.
Displacement colic – the small intestine is suspended by in the abdominal cavity by the mesentery and is free floating in the gut. This mobility can predispose the small intestine to become twisted. A twisted intestine requires immediate surgery to reposition the intestine and remove any portion of the intestine that is damaged due to restricted blood flow. In addition, both the small and large intestine can become displaced in the abdominal cavity causing both pain and restricted blood flow. Displacement colic can be caused by gas build up in the gut that makes the intestines buoyant and subject to movement within the gut. Displacement colic needs immediate surgical treatment.

18/10/2022

Antibiotics may lead to colic because they alter the microbial population in the gut, which in turn affects starch digestion. Dental problems may cause colic if the horse is unable to chew its food sufficiently. Older horses fed coarse hay are at greater risk of impaction colic.
Signs of colic include:
Pawing
Rolling
Bloating
Sweating
Distress
Uneasiness
Loss of interest in food and water
Peculiar postures (sitting, stretching)
Absence of gut sounds

18/10/2022

Treatment of Colic in Horses
In order to appropriately treat a horse for colic, the underlying medical cause for the colic symptoms must be identified. Medical treatment may be performed at the farm, or it may be recommended to take the horse to a hospital for further evaluation, 24-hour care, and possible surgery.
Medical treatment for colic may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as banamine (flunixine meglumine) to alleviate pain and inflammation. The administration of fluids, electrolytes, and/or mineral oil via the nasogastric tube placed in the horse's stomach may also help. If the horse does not improve with medications or treatments given on the farm, then hospital or surgical care may be required for treatment.

18/10/2022

Diagnosis
Clinical evaluation
Clinicopathologic tests
A diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment begun only after thoroughly examining the patient, considering the horse's history of any previous problems or treatments, determining which part of the intestinal tract is involved, and identifying the cause of the particular episode of colic. In most instances, colic develops for one of four reasons:
The wall of the intestine is stretched excessively by either gas, fluid, or ingesta. This stimulates the stretch-sensitive nerve endings located within the intestinal wall, and pain impulses are transmitted to the brain.
Pain develops due to excessive tension on the mesentery, as might occur with an intestinal displacement.
Ischemia develops, most often as a result of incarceration or severe twisting of the intestine.
Inflammation develops and may involve either the entire intestinal wall (enteritis or colitis) or the covering of the intestine (peritonitis). Under such circumstances, proinflammatory mediators in the wall of the intestine decrease the threshold for painful stimuli.
The list of conditions that cause colic is long, and it is reasonable first to determine the most likely type of disease and begin appropriate treatments. After beginning treatment, efforts should be expended to make a more specific diagnosis, if possible.
The general types of disease that cause colic include:
excessive gas in the intestinal lumen (flatulent colic)
simple obstruction of the intestinal lumen (impaction)
obstruction of both the intestinal lumen and the blood supply to the intestine (strangulating obstruction)
interruption of the blood supply to the intestine alone (nonstrangulating infarction)
inflammation of the intestine (enteritis or colitis)
inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis)
erosion of the intestinal lining (ulceration)
“unexplained colic”
In general, horses with strangulating obstructions and complete obstructions require emergency abdominal surgery, whereas horses with the other types of disease can be treated medically.
The history of the present colic episode and previous episodes, if any, must be considered to determine whether the horse has had repeated or similar problems or whether this episode is an isolated event. The duration of the present episode, the rate of deterioration of the horse's cardiovascular status, the severity of pain, whether f***s have been passed, and the response to any treatments are important pieces of information to use in the decision-making process. It is also critical to determine the horse’s deworming history (schedule, treatment dates, drugs used), when the teeth were floated last, if any changes in feed or water supply or amount have occurred, whether or not the horse engages in cribbing, and whether the horse was at rest or exercising when the colic episode started.
The physical examination should include assessment of the cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal systems. The oral mucous membranes should be evaluated for color, moistness, and capillary refill time. The mucous membranes may become cyanotic or pale in horses with acute cardiovascular compromise and eventually hyperemic or muddy as peripheral vasodilation develops later in shock. The capillary refill time (normally ~1.5 seconds) may be shortened early but usually becomes prolonged as vascular stasis (venous pooling) develops. The membranes become dry as the horse becomes dehydrated. The heart rate increases due to pain, hemoconcentration, and hypotension; therefore, higher heart rates have been associated with more severe intestinal problems (strangulating obstruction). However, it is important to note that not all conditions requiring surgery are accompanied by a high heart rate.

18/10/2022

Clinical Findings
Stretching position, colic
Stretching position, colic
COURTESY OF DR. THOMAS LANE.

Clinical signs of colic in horse
Numerous clinical signs are associated with colic. The most common signs include pawing repeatedly with a front foot, looking back at the flank region, curling the upper lip and arching the neck, repeatedly raising a rear leg or kicking at the abdomen, lying down, rolling from side to side, sweating, stretching out as if to urinate, straining to defecate, distention of the abdomen, loss of appetite, depression, and decreased number of bowel movements. It is uncommon for a horse with colic to exhibit all of these clinical signs. Although they are reliable indicators of abdominal pain, the particular clinical signs do not indicate which portion of the GI tract is involved or whether surgery will be needed.

18/10/2022

Colonic Motility Patterns
Normograde peristalsis in the left ventral colon moves ingesta toward the left dorsal colon, and the muscles in the wall of the left dorsal colon contract to move the ingesta toward the diaphragmatic flexure. There is evidence, however, that the muscles in the left ventral colon contract in a retrograde fashion, from the pelvic flexure region toward the sternal flexure. Furthermore, these contractions appear to originate from a pacemaker region in the pelvic flexure. It has been hypothesized that this pacemaker senses either the size or the consistency of the feed particles in the ingesta and then initiates the appropriate motility pattern. If the ingesta has been digested sufficiently, it is moved in a normograde direction; if additional digestion is necessary, the ingesta is moved in a retrograde direction to retain it in the ventral colon. This theory has been proposed to help account for the common clinical occurrence of obstruction at or proximal to the pelvic flexure.

18/10/2022

Natural openings in the horse abdomen
There are several natural openings or spaces within the abdominal cavity that can be important in conditions causing colic. The inguinal canal provides an opening through which loops of intestine might pass and become trapped. Although inguinal hernias are common in young foals, they rarely cause clinical problems; the situation is considerably different in stallions. Similarly, if the ventral abdominal wall fails to form properly around the umbilicus, an opening remains and the potential exists for intestinal problems to develop secondary to an umbilical hernia. The epiploic foramen, a natural opening between the portal vein, the caudal vena cava, and the caudate lobe of the liver, can be the site of intestinal incarcerations. Finally, there is a natural space between the dorsal aspect of the spleen and the left kidney. This space is bounded by the nephrosplenic (renosplenic) ligament, a strong band of tissue that connects the dorsomedial aspect of the spleen with the fibrous capsule of the left kidney. This ligament provides a “shelf” over which the left half of the ascending colon can become displaced.

18/10/2022

What should you do if you suspect colic?
Colic is a potentially life-threatening disease. If a horse displays moderate or severe symptoms they will need urgent veterinary attention and possibly referral to us, if this is an option.
If your horse displays mild symptoms of colic try walking them around (do not canter or trot) for no more than ten minutes. If symptoms persist for more than 30 minutes or are more severe in nature call your vet immediately.

18/10/2022

What are the symptoms of colic in horses?
Horses will typically display some or all of the following:-
In mild cases:
Lip curling.
Flank watching.
Restlessness.
Pawing the ground.
In moderate cases:
Posturing to urinate frequently.
Lying down and getting back up.
Lying on their side for long periods.
In severe cases:-
Violent rolling.
Sweating.
Rapid breathing.
Injuries to body and face from rolling and thrashing around.

18/10/2022

Colic is one of the most common causes of death in horses, although the prognosis today is far better than it once was. This is largely due to improvements in the way in which we diagnose and treat colic, better anaesthetic drugs and monitoring and improved surgical techniques.
Early diagnosis and surgical treatment of more serious cases of colic remains one of the most important factors in giving horses the best chance of survival following colic surgery.

18/10/2022

Colic is a term used to describe a symptom of abdominal (belly) pain, which in horses is usually caused by problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
There are over 70 different types of intestinal problems that cause colic symptoms, which range from mild to severe (life-threatening) in nature.

18/10/2022

What causes colic pain in horses?
Like humans, horses are relatively sensitive to anything causing pain within the intestine.
This might be due to intestinal spasms (cramp), the gut wall being stretched by gas or feed material, the blood supply being shut off to part of the gut or intestine becoming stuck (entrapped) somewhere abnormal.
Occasionally there are non-intestinal conditions, such as laminitis, bladder stones or ovarian problems, that may initially look like symptoms of colic. This is known as 'false colic', but may still be very serious.

13/03/2022

Because so many young people wanting to become veterinarians now attend schools outside of the U.S., over the last 15 years the percentage of graduates of U.S. veterinary schools taking the NAVLE has decreased from 90% to 65%.
Of the new veterinarians that graduate each year, historically about 5% will be equine focused. So of the roughly 4,000 new graduates, about 200 will be seeking to enter equine practice.
Recently the AVMA conducted a study to assess the current and future supply of veterinary services and veterinarians. The research, “2013 U.S. Veterinary Workforce Study: Modeling Capacity Utilization,” used sophisticated techniques to analyze the collected data and produce important conclusions. This study projected a 23% national overcapacity of equine veterinarians through the year 2025. The overcapacities by state ranged from a low of 10% in Arkansas to a high of 45% in Nebraska
In the equine vet industry, demand for services has declined as the horse population has fallen from 9.2 million in 2003 to an estimated 6 million today.4 A 33% decline in patient numbers can only result in significant decline in overall demand. Lowered demand puts pressure on prices, because more services are likely to be sold when prices fall.

However, there are indications that the equine industry has stabilized somewhat, and equine practices are seeing upward trends in revenue from the troughs seen in the wake of the recession of 2008-2010.5 The AVMA Workforce study also predicted an increase in demand for equine veterinary services in the future, based on horses being increasingly seen as companion animals.
Veterinarians
After several years of sparse job opportunities for equine practitioners, recently more openings have become available as practices see resumed demand for services and older veterinarians retire. It is estimated that 50% of equine veterinarians are now 50 years of age or older. As these older doctors leave the workforce over the next decade, there should be increasing demand for young associates. However, according to a 2012 study by the National Research Council, the need for new equine veterinarians was projected to be only 122 per year nationally.6
The recent AVMA 2015 Report on Veterinary Markets reported that of the current
100,137 veterinarians, just 4.4% are in equine practice. When looking at new veterinarians, of the 16,267 that graduated in 2010-2014, only 1.9% are employed in equine practice, reflecting the industry’s downturn.7 But as the aged cohort steps aside, there will be opportunities for young equine practitioners. It is likely that demand for new equine vets will continue to grow very slowly in the short term, and it is not likely that all veterinarians seeking a career in equine practice will find jobs waiting in the near future. Supply exceeds demand in this area of practice. Not surprisingly, this keeps salaries (prices) lower.
Ordinarily supply and demand interact through pricing to come to equilibrium, where supply equals demand. In veterinary medicine, this is not happening. Young people who dream of being equine vets continue to follow those dreams, despite the challenges.
Debt and Salaries
High student debt and low starting salaries have been headline news in recent years, but what is the real story? How does the current situation compare to “the good old days”? This is a subject that affects veterinarians of all ages and stages, so we all need to pay attention.

13/03/2022

when demand exceeds supply, prices rise. In veterinary medicine, there is supply and demand for veterinary education, vet services and veterinarians. Students seek education to become veterinarians, and academic institutions supply it. Animal owners seek veterinary services that are supplied by veterinary practices. Lastly, veterinary practices seek veterinarians to supply the manpower to provide these services. Let’s consider these in turn.

13/03/2022

Most equine veterinarians remember their first inkling that they wanted to be vets, and often it occurred very early in their lives. So early, in fact, that it almost seemed like a “calling.” Even as you read this article, in classrooms all over the country, little girls are answering the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” with the words “a veterinarian.” If they also love horses, invariably they want to be equine veterinarians.
This dream, and the passion that drives these students toward their goal, is not based on a rational assessment of the future economics of the veterinary profession. It is largely driven by the strong desire to leverage their intelligence and love of science in work they can embrace with enthusiasm.

03/11/2021

31/05/2021

Feeding
Horses, like people, have specific nutritional requirements. The nutrients of greatest concern to horsemen are water, salt, protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, D and E, and energy. Horses are divided into five nutritional classifications based on the demands of their workload. The classifications are:

Maintenance

Not growing, pregnant, lactating, or doing significant work. Most pleasure horses fit here.
Gestation (Pregnancy)

Increased nutritional requirements the last third of pregnancy.
Lactation

Mares that are actively nursing foals. Very high nutrient requirements, especially at the beginning of lactation.
Growth

Increased protein and energy requirements until full skeletal growth is reached at approximately 5 years.
Work and Exercise

The harder the horse is working and being exercised, the more energy it will need in its diet.
The horse, unlike ruminants, such as cattle, goats and sheep, has a relatively small capacity for feed in his digestive tract. Horses can consume about 2.5 percent of their body weight per day. As a nibbler and grazer, horses are best fed smaller quantities of feed, especially concentrate, at least twice per day at about 12- hour intervals. That means a 1,000-pound horse will eat about 25 pounds of feed per day of which at least half should be forage, including pasture, hay or hay cubes.

Water
Clean, fresh water and trace-mineralized salt should be available regularly or on a free-choice basis on pasture or in the barn. The average 1,000-pound adult horse can easily drink 10 to 12 gallons of water a day. Horses will suffer more quickly from a lack of water or salt than if they are forced to go without feed.

Feed Storage
Hay storage
All feed should be stored in a clean, dry, secure area that is inaccessible to the horse, even if the horse gets loose. A separate grain room with a secure door is ideal. Protect the feedstuffs from the weather, as well as from vermin such as mice, rats, raccoons and opossums. Fifty-five gallon drums or plastic garbage tubs with lids work well for concentrates. Hay should always be off the ground or floor on pallets to allow for air movement to prevent mold. Hay is combustible and can spontaneously ignite; therefore, it is preferable to store the majority of your hay in a separate site from the barn where the horses are housed, with just enough hay in the barn for a week’s feeding.

31/05/2021

Fencing
Horse Fencing
Safe and adequate fencing is a vital part of a horse facility, either your own, or the place where you choose to board. All horses should be allowed as much outside, free exercise as possible. This will reduce the incidence of stable vices, as well as contribute to the general overall health of the horse. This is especially true in the case of foals and young horses, who have fewer problems with respiratory diseases and more normal bone development when they are housed outside with unlimited exercise.

When choosing fence material, find one that is sturdy, yet will not injure an animal caught in it. The most common types of fencing are wooden post and hardwood board, post and rail, poly vinyl chloride (PVC), woven wire, electrified wire, or a combination of them. All line fences should be at least 4 feet high, and solidly constructed. As a general rule, the smaller the paddock, the stronger the fences need to be. Wooden fences are very appealing to the eye, but cost and maintenance can be high. PVC fencing is becoming increasingly popular because you can get the look of wooden fence without the maintenance. However, PVC is a more expensive option than many of the others.

31/05/2021

Where will I keep the horse?

A horse owner can choose to either board the horse at their home or at a professional boarding facility.
What are the horse’s needs?

The animal needs only shelter from the wind and weather and a dry place to eat. Don’t confuse what will make you as the horse owner more comfortable with the horse’s basic needs.
What do I intend to do with my horse?

If you want to show early in the year, you will need a place to ride all year — and possibly an arena — to fit and condition the horse.
What can I afford? You can spend as much as you want to on a horse facility. Estimate $7 per square foot of floor space as the absolute minimum cost to build an enclosed barn for horses. Cost will increase as amenities are added.