America's Quarter Horse

Your Horses Health

COLIC - ABDOMINAL PAIN

Signs

  • Not eating, looking at sides, kicking at belly, laying down more than usual, rolling, stretching, sweating, sometimes violent rolling, getting up and down, unable to keep on feet.

  • Causes

  • Impaction - blockage of intestine by food material that dries excessively.
  • Gas Colic
  • Large Intestine displacement
  • Blockage of Arteries to Bowel by Bloodworms
  • Small Intestine Displacement
  • Spasmodic Colic

  • Prevention

  • Select quality hay
  • Don't over-feed grain
  • Regular deworming
  • Avoid sudden dietary changes
  • Decrase roughage to broodmares 2-3 weeks prior to foaling

  • Treatment

  • Immediate veterinarian attention
  • Attempt definitive diagnosis
  • Treatment depends on diagnosis: a) impaction - oil, water, IV fluids, reduce pain; b) gas - releive pain, trocarize to relieve gas; c) large and small bowel displacement - surgery - history and drugs given are important; d) bloodworm colic - varies; e) spasmodic - relieve pain, anti-spasmodic drugs. Early proper treatment may prevent displacements

  • Common Questions

  • Walking
  • Drugs
  • Bran
  • Treatment by owner or trainer

  • Colic other than GI tract

  • Urinary tract
  • Ovarian
  • Peritonitis
  • Tumors
  • Abcesses

    We would like to take this opportunity to thank HARRIS VETERINARY CLINIC, in Grand Junction, Colorado for providing us with this information.

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