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

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

Reiki for dogs with anxiety

I think that everyone who once had contact with animals can recognize that they are smiling beings and very spiritual.They have emotional energy, a body and an instinct that can not be taken care of when they need it.Those who have an animal in charge of them, take care of their physical needs, such as food, hygiene and veterinary care, but sometimes it is necessary, attend it holistically. From Animals and Pets Online we will see how to help with reiki for dogs with anxiety .We not only have anxiety as a deviation in the health of our dog but, we can notice that we are going The path to disease and reiki will be a very useful tool when restoring harmony. What is anxiety? Anxiety goes beyond dogs, we humans also suffer from it, and it is a emotional state that acts against well-being .Animals have an emotional memory, so many who have gone through situations of abandonment or abuse have recorded wounds inside. These memories will not be easily overcome for some more sensitive...
Post a Comment
Read more

The best cat breeds for allergy sufferers

Approximately about 30% of the population suffers cat allergy and dogs, the first option being much more common than the second one.However, being allergic to one or more animals does not mean that the body of the affected person reacts as a result of the presence of the feline, can, etc., but for the proteins found in the urine, dandruff or saliva of animals, called allergens. 80% of cat allergies are a the Fel D1 protein , produced in the saliva, skin and some organs of the animal.In this way, and despite the erroneous belief of many, it is not the hair of the feline that causes the allergy, although It can accumulate in the allergen after self-treatment.Also, if you are part of the aforementioned 30% but you love these furry companions and you would love to be able to Vir with one, you should know that there is a series of cat breeds for allergies that produce a smaller amount of the allergen, as well as a series of very effective techniques to avoid allergic reactions.Read ...
Post a Comment
Read more

4 symptoms of stress in parrots

Stereotypes in animals are abnormal, repetitive, invariable and seemingly unrelated behaviors that are often performed by captive and domesticated animals that live in poorly enriched environments.This type of behavior does not usually occur in nature and they are not frequent in large and environmentally enriched enclosures. These behaviors usually occur in parrots that do not have enough sensory stimuli , that do not have the opportunity to interact with different objects or the lack of control over their own environment.The biggest problem is that most people who have adopted one or more parrots are unable to recognize these behaviors due to lack of experience or training. In addition , parrots only perform these behaviors when they are alone and therefore humans never see their parrots perform these behaviors.A good idea to recognize Symptoms of stress in parrots is to record them while we are not present. In this video we show you a parrot with a possible stereotype: ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The best hours to walk a dog

For starters it is important to note that dog walks should always be done at the same times, that is, you should follow a very regular schedule that allows them to anticipate that they will go out Although a priori does not seem relevant, the truth is that dogs are animals of customs, so being able to anticipate will help them to be more balanced . In addition to following a schedule marked, the frequency of the walks can vary from one dog to another: some breeds, such as the border collie, will need between two and four daily walks, but others such as the pug or, for example, a very old dog, will have enough with two It is not always easy to know how many times to take a dog for a walk, but some factors such as age or energy level that we observe can help us. Now that you know these Previous details, we will explain what is the best time to walk a dog and what is more convenient to do in each of the schedules: 1.Tomorrow During the morning the dog should be able to enjoy...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ear infection in dogs

Do you notice that your dog frequently shakes its head and emits a strong body odor? These symptoms can be due to numerous disorders, however, they are typical of an ear infection, a disorder that usually has a good prognosis but must be treated in time to prevent damage to the tympanum or condition of the deepest parts of the ear./p> We should also know that this treatment can be performed naturally, using resources that are effective to restore the health of our pet and that are also safe and less aggressive than a pharmacological treatment. Are you interested in knowing more about this option? In this Animals and Pets Online article we talk about home remedies for ear infection in dogs. Ear infection in dogs First of all we must understand exactly what is ear infection in dogs, since initially it is possible that we believe that it is the same as otitis, however, they are two different terms. Otitis is an inflammation of the ear and can have numerous causes such as al...
2 comments
Read more

Differences between kangaroo and wallaby

Wallaby and kangaroo are Australian marsupials: after a short period of pregnancy within the womb their offspring end their development in their mother's abdominal bag, held in mammary glands for about 9 months until they can venture out of the bag, then the little ones only return to the breast bag. Both Wallaby like the kangaroo belong to the macropodidae family: they have oversized feet that allow them to jump, their only way of moving, since they live in the same continent and belong to the same marsupial infraclase and the same family of macropodidos are very similar, but still there are important differences between them. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain what are the differences between wallaby and kangaroo. The size Kangaroos are much larger than wallabytes : the red kangaroo is the largest marsupial species in the world, the largest are always male and can measure more than 250 cm from the tip of the tail to the head and weigh about 90 ki...
Post a Comment
Read more

Flea bite allergy in dogs

In this Animals and Pets Online article we discuss a common problem: the allergy to flea bites in dogs .We say usual because fleas are parasites of wide worldwide distribution that, due to the conditions provided in our homes, can survive throughout the year, being able to bite dogs, cats, any other warm-blooded animal and even humans. Not all dogs develop allergies, but it is worth knowing this pathology because it is very common and the symptoms are very annoying, so read on to find out how to know if your dog is allergic to flea bites . Flea life cycle Fleas are parasitic insects observable to the naked eye.They have a flattened body to move better between the fur and are characterized by their high-altitude jumps.The adults get on the dog and bite to extract her blood , from which they feed.The female deposits eggs in the environment, between carpets or slits.These develop in several phases until they become adults and get on another animal, restarting the cycle.their way...
Post a Comment
Read more

Can dogs eat bread?

There is a widespread belief that "bread is bad for dogs "Will it be true? Being made with flour and water, plus the addition of yeast, the bread becomes a preparation high in carbohydrates, and although the bread is not among the prohibited foods for dogs, we must point out that Excessive carbohydrate intake can be detrimental to the health of our furry. Do you wonder if dogs can eat bread? Well, you went to the right page! In this article of Animals and Pets Online, we tell you the recommendations and care to take into account before offering bread to our furry, to provide them with a balanced diet that addresses their nutritional needs. Is it bad to give dogs bread? Dogs are omnivorous animals that can maintain a varied diet to benefit from the properties of different types of food.However, their nutritional requirements are based on the consumption of protein from high quality, good fats, vitamins and minerals.The other components (such as carbohydrates) may be...
Post a Comment
Read more

Differences between a Persian cat and an angora

Although both breeds are known and popular, for some lovers of cats the differences between a Persian cat and an angora are not entirely clear, perhaps because they both have a spectacular long coat, but the differences between both races are remarkable and, if we want to adopt any of these cats, it is important that we have them in order for our new cat to adapt as well as possible to our home. This is why in this article of Animals and Pets Online we will expose the differences between a Persian cat and an angora .If you intend to adopt any of these cats, this article of Persian cat vs Angora is essential! Physical differences between Persian and Angora cats We begin this review of the differences between a Persian cat and an angora for the most obvious, that is, those that refer to physical aspects.These are going to be the following: The nose: it is, perhaps, the most important and significant, in addition, at first glance it will allow us to differentiate a Persian cat a...
3 comments
Read more