South Shore Equine Clinic and Diagnostic Center 781.585.2611 www.ssequineclinic.com Mark T. Reilly, D.V.M. Linda J. Cimetti, D.V.M.
COLIC: The #1 killer of horses
COLIC What is colic? Common signs What to do when Conditions causing colic Management of colic Tips for Prevention
COLIC Definition: generalized abdominal discomfort Who can colic? Why do we care? Number one killer of horses
CLINICAL SIGNS: Lying down Lateral Sternal Flank watching Pawing Kicking and/or biting at abdomen
CLINICAL SIGNS: Posturing to urinate without doing so Anorexia Rolling Increased respiration
CLINICAL SIGNS: Depression Playing in water bucket Flehmen response (lip curl) Bruxism (grinding teeth) Decreased manure production Changes in consistency
What you can do How severe are the signs Physical exam: Heart rate Temperature Respiratory rate Gastrointestinal sounds Mucus membranes
What can you do Call veterinarian prior to administering medication Walk and/or longe Prevent rolling Maintain safety Remove food Leave water Unless feed material is coming from nose
Veterinary Responsibility: History Manure production Medications Last normal Changes in diet / water availability Changes in turnout Toxin ingestion Physical exam Safety
Veterinary Responsibility: Sedation (+/-) Analgesics (banamine) Palpation per rectum
Diagnostics Nasogastric intubation Gastric reflux: proximal obstruction Fluid administration: water, electrolytes, mineral oil, epsom salts Abdominal ultrasound Abdominocentesis ( belly tap )
Common Causes of Colic Gas Impaction Parasites Gastric Ulcers Ingestion of plants Obstruction Displacement Inflammatory
Causes of Colic: Gas Cribbing/wind sucking Diet change Weather change No apparent reason VERY PAINFUL
Causes of Colic: Impaction Dehydration Cold weather Fever Sweating Decreased gut motility ADR (ain t doin right)
Causes of Colic : Inflammatory Bots Tape worms Strongyles Inflammatory Parasites Strategic de-worming program Fecal exam
Causes of Colic : Inflammatory Gastric Ulcers 90% of horse in training have ulcers Signs range from mild to severe colic to poor performance
Causes of Colic: Inflammatory Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories Phenylbutazone Banamine Proximal enteritis Colitis
Poke Weed Causes of Colic: Toxic Plants
Causes of Colic: Toxic Plants Red Maple Wilted leaves Fall
Causes of Colic: Toxic Plants Red Maple
Incarceration Epiploic foramen Intussusception Mass Lipoma (fatty tumor) Intestinal lymphoma Melanoma Causes of Colic: Obstruction
Causes of Colic Displacement Left dorsal (nephrosplenic entrapment) Right dorsal Medical vs. surgical Varying degrees of pain Torsion Very painful Surgical lesion Time is of the essence Repeat offenders
Management Further treatment at farm or referral clinic Pain relief (Banamine) Sedation Fluid therapy Nasogastric IV Laxatives mineral oil Mineral oil
Management Exercise Trailer ride Referral Surgery
Prevention Establish a set daily routine Feed a high quality diet (roughage) Free choice clean water at all times Minimize concentrate portion of diet
Prevention Regular turn out and/ or exercise Parasite control program Make any change to the diet gradual Avoid unnecessary medications/supplements
Prevention Check hay, bedding, pasture and environment for potentially toxic substances Avoid feeding on the ground/sand Reduce stress Pay attention to animals being transported
Prevention Pay particular attention to horses with previous episodes of colic Keep accurate records Individual horses Seasonal incidents Feed change/new hay etc
Summary The key to minimizing colic is good management Identify the problem early and call your veterinarian immediately Treat every incidence of colic as potentially serious
Thank you Thanks to Val Schell Mike Fischer Please don t forget to sign in Questions?