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

Gineta: characteristics and photos

The gine or genetta genetta in European is a feral animal that inhabits the entire Iberian Peninsula and in the southern half of France.There is a theory that the ginads that populate our lands come from Africa, and were introduced by the Saracens in the eighth century, as domestic animals.Another (more modern) theory states that the Romans had ginnets in their homes to keep them free of mice. Roman ginets came from Egypt although they also had domesticated gints in Constantinople.They are tremendously predatory animals, great hunters of rats, mice and snakes. Origin Wild ginetas originally have two origins: Africa and Asia.From there they have colonized other places, basically due to the intervention of man. It was common the presence of ginetas on the Phoenician ships and ships of later cultures .Obviously, by the success in antiquity and some documents that prove it, the gin can be tamed ; however, it can hardly be considered a pet to use if one is adopted. Physical a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Can you eat shellfish during pregnancy?

Seafood is one of the most exquisite foods out there, but also one of the worst known in the diet of a pregnant woman.Can you eat shellfish and fish during pregnancy? The truth is that it has many benefits for the future breast and the fetus, but as long as the appropriate varieties are chosen, they are cooked well and in a healthy way and not excessive consumption is made.Especially, during this stage, it is essential to avoid consumption of raw fish or shellfish and opt for those varieties with a lower amount of mercury so as not to endanger the health of the baby or the pregnant woman.Read this ONsalus article to know all the details about the issue: Can seafood be eaten during pregnancy? Can I eat shellfish in pregnancy? The fats that seafood has are mostly healthy, in addition to also having omega-3, an element that lowers cholesterol, especially if taken on a regular basis, which also helps decrease the risk of heart disease.Therefore, seafood has very significant benefits ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Salmonellosis in rodents

Today rodents have become excellent companion animals and there are numerous people that in their house they have guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, gerbils, squirrels, chinchillas or irons. Rodents are active and sociable pets that although they require care they are easy to keep in good condition, however, they are susceptible of contracting multiple diseases and can even transmit some of them to humans, as is the case of salmonellosis. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we show you how to prevent salmonellosis in rodents. What is salmonellosis? Salmonellosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhimurium , which is usually found in chickens and their eggs as well as in some reptiles such as turtles. This pathogen is also known as Salmonella Enterica , a term that refers to the intestine since it mainly affects this body area, hence It manifests mainly through diarrhea, vomiting and nausea, not only in humans, since these signs are also visible in infec...
Post a Comment
Read more

What to do if my dog ​​is afraid of rockets?

Remove the dog's fear of rockets It will not always be possible.When we talk about traumas or fears, carrying out a systematic desensitization process with a professional can be very effective, but when we talk about phobias, the process can be lengthened much more and can even be Impossible to treat.However, if there are any tips to reassure you that you can use. These are very useful and simple tricks to carry out, especially if we have not had time to go to the veterinarian or educator canine.Next in ExpertAnimal we explain what to do if your dog is afraid of rockets : Why are dogs afraid of pyrotechnics? It's totally normal for a dog to be scared of loud noises.The survival instinct makes them try to run away or hide to save their lives.In the most serious cases we can also observe Excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, nervousness, tremors and anomalous behaviors. There are three main causes that can make the dog afraid of rockets, firecrackers and firewor...
Post a Comment
Read more

Advantages of having a mongrel cat

There are approximately 100 breeds of cats officially recognized by the competent bodies in that matter, no However, they all have the typical characteristics of felines: an independent character, a conservation of the natural hunting instinct, great concerns to explore their surroundings, a great sense of hygiene and an amazing physical agility. Generally people who decide to host a cat in their home know that these are the main characteristics of these companion animals, but sometimes they look for a specific aesthetic that corresponds to a certain breed, which is a completely respectable decision, although in This time we will talk about other types of cats. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we explain what are the advantages of having a mongrel cat . What is a mongrel cat? We can define the concept of a mongrel cat in different ways, perhaps the simplest is to say that a mongrel cat is a cat that does not correspond to a standard of a certain breed , however, yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

My parrot itches a lot, what do I do?

All the birds we have as pets bite, this is the true.This also applies to our dear and colorful parrot friends.However, it is important to know that this does not mean that all birds are aggressive or that they have behavioral problems.What it does give us is a little more information in case to consider taking a parrot home.Eventually they will bite you, to the point of believing that your parrot bites you, since with those sharp beaks, it will be painful.However, it is a mistake to talk about bite when it comes to birds, since no teeth are found in its beak. If you have passed that stage and you already have a parrot that you adore but that itches a lot, it is good that you know that this is one of the most common problems observed in "domestic" birds.Parrots are still wild animals, have instinctive features and can bite er for different reasons that you will now know.Although it is very common, itching is a complex problem.So, if your parrot is a bird that repeats thi...
Post a Comment
Read more

10 reasons to walk your dog

The dog is an animal that needs to walk 2 to 3 times a day, But do you know why that is so? In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain why it is so important to walk with your dog, why the garden does not replace the walk and many other things that, perhaps you do not know. Do not forget This is a very important habit that you must carry out on a daily basis.Not doing so can be very harmful for your pet, do not forget it.Keep reading and discover 10 reasons to walk with your dog . 1.They must make their needs The first reason, and the most important , to take a dog for a walk, is to allow him to do his needs until he is satisfied. Apart from puppies that are not yet able to go outside or who are learning to urinate, it is very negative to allow our dog to urinate and defecate at home.In addition to causing a bad smell, we will be creating an unhealthy environment important that can lead to serious health problems in dogs and humans. 2.It allows them to ...
1 comment
Read more

Urinary incontinence in cats - Causes and treatment

Who has a cat at home knows how careful they are with their personal hygiene , especially when it comes to using its waste box correctly.When the cat gets dirty outside its rightful place, this is an unequivocal sign that something is wrong, whether it is done intentionally or not. Keep reading this Animals and Pets Online article so you can find out everything about urinary incontinence in cats, their causes and treatment. What do we call urinary incontinence? It receives this name the inability that develops the animal to control the muscles of the urethra, so the sphincter does not remain closed , causing the cat can not decide at what time urinating, but continually suffers accidental spills or losses. Incontinence is never manifested for a casual reason nor should it be ignored, as it indicates that something is wrong in the feline's health, either emotionally or physical. When it has been confirmed that it is incontinence and not land marking, in no case should...
Post a Comment
Read more

What do rabbits eat? - Gazapos, adults and the elderly

domestic rabbits they are mammals that belong to the order Lagomorpha , that is, they are not rodents, as it had been considered until the beginning of the 20th century, they are a different order.The rabbits are sociable and intelligent animals, which They can accompany us for more than ten years.As with dogs, we currently find a wide variety of types and breeds of rabbits. If you have a rabbit, you have decided to adopt one or you will do so soon, It is very important that you properly inform yourself about the diet of rabbits , to ensure an optimal quality of life and a positive state of health.Are you wondering what rabbits eat? How to feed a newborn rabbit? In this Animal Expert article we will inform you about rabbit feeding in all its stages, let's talk about rabbits, adults or the elderly.Find out below the keys so that your rabbit is healthy, happy and well cared for.Take note! Feeding newborn rabbits Rabbit pups, also known as " rabbits ", are esp...
Post a Comment
Read more