Colic In Equine

1. Colic In Equine Keith Vander Velde UW Extension Livestock Specialist Montello, Wi

2. Colic • #1 Killer of Horses • Not a disease, it is a sign of abdominal pain • Any malfunction, displacement, twisting, swelling, infection or lesion of digestive system

3. Colic • Management plays important role in prevention • Establish regular feeding and exercise routine • Feed high quality high forage diet • Avoid feeding excessive grain or energy rich diets • Divide concentrate rations into two or more feedings rather than one

4. Colic • Management to Prevent colic • Set up regular parasite control program • Provide exercise or turnout on a daily basis • Provide fresh, clean water (except when horse is hot from vigorous exercise • Avoid medications unless they are prescribed by vet, especially pain-relief drugs(analgesics), which cause ulcers • Check hay and bedding for blister beetles, noxious weeds, and ingestible foreign matter

5. Colic • Management to Prevent Colic • Avoid feeing on ground, especially in sandy area • Do not let horse graze pastures short in sandy soils • Make dietary and management changes gradually • Reduce stress, horses experiencing changes in environment or workloads are at a high risk of internal dysfunction

6. What to Do if Horse Colics • Put in comfortable Stall • Remove feed and water • Allow horse to lie down if it appears to be resting • If it wants to roll or is behaving violently, attempt to walk it slowly

7. Questions your Vet might Ask • Temperature, pulse and respiratory rate • Color of mucous membranes and capillary refill time( press against gums, release and count second to return to original color • Behavioral signs, such as pawing, kicking, rolling, depression • Digestive noises or lack of • Bowel movements including color, consistency and frequency • Medical history, deworming and past episodes,

8. Founder • Laminitis is a non-infectious inflammation of the laminae of the hoof, most frequently affecting of feet • Caused by digestive disturbances • Over feeding of grain • Overeating on new pasture • Drinking large quantities of clod water when overheated

9. Founder • Signs: • Engorged vascular system with nerve endings press again rigid hoof wall • Build up of lactic acid • Horses resist moving • Try to bear weight on hind feet • Place front feet weight on heels not entire foot

10. Founder • Treatment • Antihistamines to reduces swelling • Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation • Administer Laxatives if detected early • Elimination of grain from diet • Removal of shoes • Blood transfusions from healthy horses

11. Founder • Treatment • Grooving of hoof wall with ¼ inch grooves vertically, 1 1/2 inches apart to relieve pain, bandage hoof for 1-2 weeks following grooving • Rest and no exercise • Aftercare, light steel bar shoe to prevent hoof contraction with rolled toes

12. Colic Prevention • Keep horse on all forage diet • If grain is feed limit to less than 5 lbs, horses receiving 5-11 lbs of grain have a 5 times higher risk of colic, horse receiving more than 11 lbs of grain had a 6 times higher risk of developing colic • Allow horse to be turned out for 12 hours or more per day • Use a regular worming schedule