COLIC

Colic which simply implies abdominal pain is the number one reason for mortality insurance claims. From this fact it is obvious that every case of colic has the potential to be a life threatening issue.Having said this one must remember that the vast majority of colic cases do respond to conservative treatment without severe or serious consequence.

At its most basic, colic is pretty much always caused by some obstruction to the normal flow of gas, fluid and ingesta along the gastrointestinal tract. This obstruction may be mechanical (a physical obstruction) or functional (interference with the normal peristaltic action of the intestine). This obstruction leads to distention of the intestine and the attendant signs of pain. If the obstruction is not resolved then this distention increases and there ensues a cascade of life threatening metabolic changes including  dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, release of toxins from the damaged intestine, shock and potential death.

Signs of colic include anorexia, apprehension, pawing, stretching out as if to urinate or defecate, looking back at the flanks, getting up and down repeatedly, rolling, groaning, flehmen (flaring of the upper lip), grinding of the treeth and yawining. Once you as an owner see any of these signs a call to the veterinarian is indicated. Relating to him/her the horse's age, sex and breed and a brief history of the onset of signs and progression of the condition will help the vet decide if the case deserves immediate attention or more conservative approach.

Veterinary evaluation of the colicky horse involves close examination of both the gastrointestinal and  cardiovcascular systems and these are of equal importance. A quick evaluation of the cardiovascular system involves securing the pulse rate (normal is 28-40 beats per minute), the appearance of the mucous membranes (normally moist and pink), the capillary refill time (this involves pressing the thumb on the membranes of the upper lip to blanch out the color and then seeing how long it takes for the color to return, normally 1-2 seconds) and the skin turgidity (pinching the skin on the side of the neck and seeing how long it takes for the skin to snap back to normal;usually 1-2 seconds). As the horse dehydrates these parameters become prolonged and the membranes become dry, tacky and injected, making the color a deeper red or even purple.

(securing the horse's heart rate)

(evaluating the color and moistness of the mucous membranes)

(prolonged capillary refill time, along with reddened, dry, tacky mucous membranes)

(assessing skin turgidity)

The gastrointestinal system is evaluated by listening to the intestinal sounds on both the right and left flanks. There are normally constant sounds from the intestinal movements within the abdomen. Abscence of these sounds is a worrisome sign. Passage of the nasogastric tube is another diagnostic and potentially therapeutic procedure. The horse is anatomically unable to vomit or burp to relieve any buildup of gas or fluid within the stomach. Passage of the tube allows for the release of this gas or fluid before the deadly possibility of stomach rupture. It also allows for the administration of water, electrolytes, antiferments and laxatives which may be curative. Normally the veterinarian will administer an analgesic to control the horse's pain (most commonly banamine).

(listening for gut sounds, this would be done on both sides of the horse, both upper and lower flank areas)

(passage of the naso-gastric tube)

Information obtained by the above procedures should allow the veterinarian to determine the severity and probable cause of the colic. The determination can then be made as to whether the case is one that can be managed consevatively at the farm or needs to be referred to a hospital for more aggressive medical or surgical treatment.