Skip to main content

Colicos in horses - Symptoms and treatment

Colicos in horses - Symptoms and treatment

The equine colic is the first cause of mortality in horses and many horse owners have to face it once since it is the most frequent disease of the adult horse.Colic syndrome is defined as a abdominal pain of varied origins .

The horse is a hypersensitive animal and the external manifestations of the colic can be impressive.Some specificities of the horse can complicate the situation: a horse cannot vomit, so that the food that has reached the stomach is forced to follow its path in the digestive tract.In addition, certain parasites such as strongils cause a narrowing of the arteries of the digestive system, which can make the condition worse.

Fortunately less than 10% of horses with colic require surgery.case colic syndrome is a of the most important equine pathologies for their severity and frequency, in this article of Animals and Pets Online we will tell you everything you need to know about the colic in horses .

Symptoms of colic on the horse

Colic or colic syndrome is defined as abdominal pain, usually the origin is intestinal, less frequently the cause can be renal.The ultrasensitive nerve detectors of the intestines react to the slightest discomfort that can be expressed in ways different according to the horse.

The intensity of the symptoms is not necessarily related to the severity of the problem: some horses are very expressive or even a little actors and exaggerate the signs while others try to hide their discomfort.Signs should get your attention and make you suspect a colic:

  • Your horse has lack of appetite but the belly may be swollen, may be lethargic or otherwise agitated, not He is attentive to his surroundings.
  • He is abnormally restless: he lies down and rises frequently, or he can duck his head looking at the ground as if he wanted to bend down.
  • He has anxious looks, can yawn, sometimes the flehmen : lift the upper lip showing the inner part and mucosa of this.
  • A horse with colic syndrome can also whinny, have the ears back, perspire without reason.
  • In general, a change in behavior on your horse should get your attention.

It is not uncommon for a horse with colic to put itself in the position to urinate but not urinate anything: This is often the owners call the veterinarian telling him that "the horse does not urinate", in general in those cases there is no problem of urination but a colic syndrome.

Scratches the ground in an unusual way with their forelegs, he wallows in an unusual way to try to relieve his pain, and remains lying on his back which tends to especially relieve the foals.He looks at the belly and flanks, he can even hit the belly with one of his backs The feces may be soft or non-existent , in some cases the horse is in shock: it has cold limbs and cyanotic mucous membranes that is bluish and rapid pulse.

Keep in mind that a horse suffering from a colic can be violent due to pain: it can kick or suddenly dropping to the ground, do not let children approach a horse with colic.

Colicos in horses - Symptoms and treatment

When to call my veterinarian?

The colic is always an emergency: notify your veterinarian immediately to examine your horse and determine the cause to intervene as soon as possible.

Although some disorders such as constipation can only be a temporary nuisance, the horse's reaction suggests a serious complication.It is important to relieve your horse's pain so that it does not become damaged and does not roll over: you should call your veterinarian as soon as possible to be given a sedative.

What to do while I wait for the vet?

A horse with colic that is lying down or that rolls over can increase the risk of rupture or intestinal torsion.If the veterinarian's examination is not standing and its intervention will be limited.Important advice is to walk your horse: make him walk if he accepts to walk calmly, this favors the motility of the digestive system and stimulates traffic and can help the expulsion of gases.

Keep in mind that an important part of the deaths of horses due to colic, it is because the horse brutally bends its previous ones due to subacute pain and is violently dropped against the hard ground, which can cause gastric ruptures: that is why if your horse does not want to get up after insisting a little it is better not to force it.

Colicos in horses - Symptoms and treatment

Treatment of colic in horses

First your veterinarian will perform a general examination of your horse to assess parameters such as:

  • Heart rate
  • Frequency Respiratory
  • Rectal temperature
  • Temperature of your extremities
  • Coloring of the mucous membranes
  • Dehydration level
  • Sounds Intestinal

You can also proceed with a rectal exam to determine the position, size and mobility of the organs.You can thus determine the presence of a plug, a buildup of gases, a painful area.

In some cases, the veterinarian may perform a naso-gastric intubation with a catheter: pass the catheter through a pot to reach the esophagus and then to the stomach, so it can determine if the stomach is overloaded with water and food and proceed to decompression.In addition, it allows you to introduce medications directly into the stomach.

Once the diagnosis is made, the veterinarian decides if he can treat himself there l horse or if it should be transferred to a clinic in case it is more serious and could then perform blood tests.If the colic is treatable in situ the veterinarian will give your horse analgesic to relieve him.

Once the veterinarian is gone, it is not over: you must watch your horse for several days to control a possible recurrence, especially once the analgesic stops working.The horse will be fasted for a while before gradually feeding it Again, the fasting time and rest time of your horse depends on your veterinarian: you should follow his advice and directions .

Let your horse eat and defecate again It is not enough: all the parameters determined by your veterinarian during the examination of your horse must return to normal values ​​to consider that the colic has been resolved.

Colicos in horses - Symptoms and treatment

Causes and prevention of colic

Colicos are emergencies since 5% of colic are very serious and can cause the death of the horse.90% of colic have a digestive origin and only 10% are extra-digestive, for example , may have a uterine or urinary origin.Understanding the triggers of colic is essential not only for good treatment but also to prevent colic and reduce the risk to the fullest.

When the cause is digestive, colic may be due to an impact that is an accumulation of food that forms a plug, a dilation of organs, a displacement or an intestinal torsion.These digestive pathologies may be due to a change in food, to drinking fountains that freeze in winter, to stress.

  • The most frequent cause of colic is parasitism : the migration of the larvae of the estrongilos damages the intestinal wall rich in blood vessels.vessels are clogged and stop properly irrigating the i I do not testify to what causes the pain of the horse.It is suspected that flat worms may also cause colic.You should check your horse regularly 2 to 4 times a year, alternating products to avoid creating resistance.
  • Certain horses frequently have colicus while some never have, if your horse tends to suffer colicus you have to re-evaluate its food ration, its exercise and its way of life.For example a horse has colic repeatedly from A few weeks ago, speaking with the owners, the veterinarian realized that the problems began after changes in the feed in the stable: the quality of the hay did not suit this horse.
  • The food transition is very important when winter comes and that you pass your prairie horse to the box or when the good weather arrives and that you release it in a meadow.Its digestive system contains a flora composed of good bacteria and enzymes that are different according to the regime of the horse.A too rapid change of food does not allow your horse to adapt and does not manage to properly digest food which causes diarrhea, intestinal cramps and colic.Think to make the change progressively in some days at least.
  • The cause may be in the water : it is important to ensure that the horse always has access to fresh, clean water.In winter we must check that the pipe does not freeze.The lack of water causes dehydration that will first affect the organs of the digestive system, in this case the stools will be hard and dry, the digestive transit will slow down.If you realize that this was the cause not l and give too much water to your thirsty horse: it is better that you give warm water in several shots.Indeed a lot of blow water or too cold water can carry a colic.Also keep in mind that a horse accustomed to drinking in a bucket does not Directly understand the operation of the automatic drinking troughs: you will have to teach it and you should check that it drinks by watching the water meter in its box increase.
  • Many colicos would not occur if the horse were in a meadow: if your horse is in a box you must provide enough exercise and make sure that it eats enough fibers and that it eats small frequent amounts.Indeed, the horse has a small stomach and it is better that he eat at least twice a day than once or even if you can feed him three times.On the other hand, check the condition of his teeth regularly: teeth in poor condition do not allow good chewing and can be a risk factor. l>

There are many other causes of colic in cases of foals, pregnant mare or a stallion, however they are not as well known.By applying these tips you can reduce the risk of colic on your horse and in case it suffers a colico will know how to recognize it.

Colicos in horses - Symptoms and treatment

This article is merely informative, In Animals and Pets Online we do not have the power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that it presents any type of condition or discomfort.

If you wish read more articles similar to Colicos in horses-Symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Intestinal Problems section.

Etiquetas:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why does my dog ​​attack me without reason?

Today my dog ​​ran out of the house and I was chasing him until he reached it.This was near a car in which I set the floor and continued to smell.It was this morning, I was in a hurry because I was already late to the school and I had to go back as soon as possible.I grabbed him by the collar and started running, I crouched down, since he didn't bring a leash with me.Then I stopped for a moment because I had dropped something, my dog ​​also stopped and started Snarling, I said "What's wrong with you?" As I lifted the object and out of nowhere it pounced on me, I managed to dodge the first bite, but then I caught my arm and began to shake it without wanting to let it go.I had never behaved like this.I went to tell my father that the dog had gone out and that he needed his help.When he returned with my mother, he told me that she had also taken a bite, but that I was not able to give it.The dog in question is a Shepherd German, we rescued him from the street when he was...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cold in dogs - Symptoms and treatment

Dogs, like us, can suffer colds.Cold exposure or certain viruses can cause your dog to rub.It is not a dangerous disease if we know how to help our dog overcome it but it is important to detect it to see the veterinarian as soon as possible. A mild cold can be overcome in a week with proper care.Like us, cold dogs need to be warm, not wet and feed properly.However, if they do not receive proper care, a mild cold can become severe and lead to worse complications.If your dog has You've been sneezing or have a cough, maybe it's cold, so keep reading this Animals and Pets Online article and discover the cold symptoms in dogs and what to do . Cold symptoms in dogs The cold is caused by a upper respiratory tract infection .Usually, the symptoms are not serious but we must pay attention, since we can confuse a simple cold with a problem severe respiratory and vice versa.To discover how to know if your dog has a cold , pay attention to the most common canine cold symptoms: ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to know if my rabbit is male or female?

Rabbits are adorable and very intelligent animals , which is why they are increasingly popular as companion animals.Likewise, their tender appearance and small size make them good companions for apartments. When you recently adopt a rabbit, or when a litter of rabbits has been born, you may not know the sex of each one, so we will help you discover it.If you want to discover how to know if your rabbit is male or female , keep reading this article from Animal Expert. When can you see the sex of your rabbit? It is important to note that in newborn rabbits knowing sex is almost impossible , especially if you have no experience in it.However, if you have a partner or a litter it is very important to know if they are female or male, whether you want to give them up for adoption or to avoid an unwanted pregnancy, as rabbits reproduce quickly and at an early age. From the eighth week will be a good time to examine your rabbits for indicators of their sex.Rabbits are extremely ner...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mites in canaries - Symptoms and treatment

Knowing the enemy There is a wide variety of external parasites that can affect our canaries, but without a doubt, one of the most common are Losacaros.These omnipresent arachnids can be from a casual finding, to the person responsible for diseases more or less serious. The passerines (songbirds like canaries, diamonds...), and also the parakeets (psittaciforms), often suffer the undesirable presence of mites, and although certain types of injuries alert us to their existence, in other cases they can go unnoticed for long periods of time, due to the particular cycle of some species. To facilitate the task of recognizing the mites in the Canary Islands, we will divide them into three groups: Cnemidocoptes spp, elacaro responsible for cnemidocoptic mange. Dermanyssus spp, red mite. Sternostoma tracheacolum, mite of the trachea. Cnemidocoptes spp, responsible for cnemidocoptic scabies This is a type of mite in canaries that spends its entire life cycle in the bird (larv...
Post a Comment
Read more

The heat stroke in cats

Heat stroke or hypertemia is an excessive temperature rise body of the cat that can cause damage to your body.In the most serious cases, irreversible damage and even death can occur. For this same reason, It is essential to know the symptoms of heat stroke in the cat as well as the first aid that we must apply or the basic prevention methods. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain how to correctly identify the stroke of heat in cats and we will give you the best tips so you can act quickly if you need to.Keep reading: Causes of heat stroke in cats The usual temperature of the felines is around between 38ºC and 39.5ºC .Once these levels are exceeded, the cat tries to regulate the temperature by sweat on the pads, the genital area , saliva and may even gasp. Some cats are going to be more susceptible than others to suffer a heat stroke and that is that old age, health problems already present or obesity can lead to that the animal has a certain predi...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to know what size a mongrel dog will be?

When we talk about a mixed breed dog or mixed breed dog , generally we refer to a dog whose ancestry is unknown and that has typical characteristics of two or more breeds.This is usually the result of a non-selective breeding, but generally fortunate, since a mongrel dog can be exactly as good companion as a dog of a certain breed. Due to numerous factors, although here it is worth highlighting the great genetic variability, there are many advantages of having a mongrel dog and it is important to emphasize this point since unfortunately it is usually grant a lower value to a dog of these characteristics.If you are thinking of adopting a mixed breed dog, you are surely gathering all the necessary information, if you are wondering how to know what size a mongrel dog will be I didn't leave It is to read this article of Animals and Pets Online. Is it possible to know the size of a mongrel dog? Of course, estimating the exact size of a mongrel dog is not an easy task, although ...
30 comments
Read more

What to do if my dog ​​is stung by a bee

What dog does not like to play outdoors? Dogs are animals that adapt perfectly to family life for multiple reasons, also because, like us, they are very sociable and undoubtedly enjoy leisure time. Departures in the warmest times of the year they require special attention, since among other factors, we must be very aware of the degree of hydration of our pet.Although during the summer, we also observe other dangers, such as the bites of some insects. Surely Have you ever wondered " What to do if my dog ​​is stung by a bee? " In this article of Animals and Pets Online we explain it to you. Normal and allergic reaction to bee sting Only female bees can sting, leaving the stinger stuck in the skin to die later.To act effectively against a bee sting the first thing we must do is distinguish a normal reaction from a reaction allergic , as allergic reactions are a great danger and must be treated as soon as possible by a veterinarian. In a normal reaction, skin inflam...
Post a Comment
Read more

Malt for cats - Different uses and how often to offer it

Cats are especially clean animals that spend hours grooming.lick ingest a lot of hair.If you live with a cat, you've sure seen it seen coughing and even vomiting hairballs. That's when some people turn to cat malt , a very useful product of natural origin that improves digestion and intestinal transit of our cat. Discover in Animals and Pets Online everything related to malt for cats, including the necessary doses, at what age It should be offered or information about vomiting.All the benefits of this product below: What is malt? Cat malt is a paste of color similar to honey and denser texture .It consists of vegetable oils and fats, malt extract, fiber, dairy products and yeast mainly.It also often contains dyes, preservatives and vitamins. There are numerous brands in the market with different formats.The most frequent is in the form of a tube of toothpaste.The composition varies slightly according to the brand but the basis is malt extract.Some cats show a prefe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why does my cat meow when I stroke it?

The meow is one of the forms of communication characteristics of cats.This typical sound of them presents multiple variants, which will depend on what our cat wants to "tell us." There are more or less "talkative" cats and , among the most likely to communicate in this way, we will have the opportunity to observe a wide repertoire of sounds. It will be our job to learn to interpret them and, therefore, to communicate with our companion.In this article from Animals and Pets Online we will explain the meaning of some of the most common meows. Why does my cat meow when I stroke it? Find out below! The meowing of cats and their meaning As we have commented, the meow will be a form of communication very important for cats with more desire to interact with us, since this sound is more used in relationships with humans than with other cats.To answer the question of why a cat meows when they pet it, we must first know the meanings of the most common meowings...
Post a Comment
Read more

Exercise for an English bull terrier

The English bull terrier are very active dogs that need daily exercise to channel their energy and so avoid behavioral problems.Among the different exercises that your dog can do, we find from games to sports with the owner, so that you can share your time with him and create a stronger bond. If you choose Do high-impact sports with him, such as jogging or cycling, remember that you should monitor his health and his pads to avoid diseases.Also, always carry fresh water with you and do not force the dog to exercise if He does not want or is already very tired.Keep reading this article of Animals and Pets Online to know what kind of exercise for an English bull terrier is used to unleash energy and grow healthy. Games that exercise your English bull terrier To begin with, a good option is to take it to an open and wide space where you can drop it and play with it.Dogs love to play to bring objects, so you can take a ball or a frisbee and throw it to run behind, but remember th...
Post a Comment
Read more