“Doc – Colic in my horses scares me to
death! I'd like to know more about it!”
© A.J. Neumann, D.V.M.
published in The Draft Horse
Journal, Spring 2005
Part I
The word “colic” comes from the Greek work “k_likos” which
meant, “relating to the colon” or its English use
is “spasmodic pains in the abdomen.” When a horse
or mule is diagnosed as “having a colic” this in
itself means the animal is having abdominal pain. Mention the
word “colic” to a group of horse owners and some
will almost certainly conjure up the picture of one of their
horses rolling about, kicking, sweating and finally dying after
suffering terrific abdominal pain. No wonder the word “colic” inspires
some degree of fear in a horseman or woman.
If an animal is diagnosed with “the colic” this
merely means that it is exhibiting signs or symptoms of abdominal
pain. These symptoms vary in severity due to the type or cause
of the colic. What are some of the symptoms seen in the affected
animal?
In the most mild cases the owners are often baffled as to
what is really happening. The animal will just stand or lie
down on its sternum and turn its head to look at its flank,
mainly looking only at the left side. It may get up and walk
around with the head down and then lie down again. They usually
refuse to eat and sometimes will go to a water source and “play” in
it with their lips.
As the severity of the case increases so the evidence of pain
increases in the patient. The animal will begin to sweat. Its
breathing will become more and more labored. It will go down
and roll from side to side, often kicking and striking as it
rolls. It will get up and immediately go down again, until
it is almost impossible to keep it on its feet. Of course there
are also changes taking place with the heart rate, body temperature,
gut sounds, capillary fill time, abdominal sensitivity, respiratory
rate and blood chemistry. I have found a very telling symptom
of the severity of the colic can be read in the patient’s
eye. I have noted that a close study of the eyes of “colicky” horses
will reveal much about the severity, the cause and often the
outcome of the case. Anyway, these are the symptoms anyone
can see, feel and hear when observing colic in the equine.
The type or kind of colic depends generally on the cause.
Here is a classification of colic as I was taught in college.
They are also listed in order of their occurrence: Verminous
colic; Spasmodic colic; Flatulent and stomach dilation or gas
colic; Colic due to Gastric Duodenal Ulcers and Enteritis;
Intestinal obstruction due to malposition; Impaction colic;
Colic due to pregnancy in the mare and last of all Azoturia
of the intestinal tract. A colic in a horse, mule or ass will
fall into one of these categories.
Verminous Colic
It has been known for many years that an infection with Strongylus
vulgaris would cause colic. The infection was once reported
to cause 90% of all colic in horses. With the advent of the
newer anthelmintics, especially ivermectin, colic due to this
strongyle has declined rapidly. Small strongyli, ascarids,
tapeworms and bot larvae are also incriminated in causing colic
in heavily infected animals, especially in foals and weanlings.
This type of colic can be entirely prevented by the implementation
of a rigorous worming schedule using several of the new anthelmintics.
Not only will their use prevent this form of colic but the
treated animals free of parasites, will grow and develop wonderfully
well on much less feed. After all, if the parasites are not
there you are not feeding them!
An interesting fact was told to me by an insurance representative
about 3 years after the introduction of ivermectin. He said
claims for equine deaths due to endoparasitism were down about
90%.
Spasmodic Colic
Spasmodic colic is a very common form of colic in the equine.
This form of colic is relatively easy to diagnose by either
the owner or a veterinarian. The history of the feeding, watering
and working schedules of the affected animal is very important
when diagnosing this colic condition. Horses especially are
very vulnerable to changes in their regular routine and these
changes will produce this form of colic. Too much cold water,
irregular feeding patterns, abrupt changes in feed, feeding
hay that is not cured, grain fed that is warm or hot, horse
transport and even vaccination are some of the most common
factors that will produce the so called spasmodic colic in
the animal.
It has been found that any change in a horse’s daily
routine will put the animal at risk for this form of colic.
A nervous horse is much more susceptible than others. Weather
conditions, especially times of low humidity, have been found
to precede, in some horses, this spasmodic colic type.
A good equine practitioner should have very little problem
in diagnosing and treating this form of colic.
Flatulent or Gas Colic and Stomach Dilation
In discussing this form of colic of the equine I am referring
to gas, which is produced in the stomach or intestinal tract
due primarily to feed or feeding practices, not due to intestinal
obstructions or malpositions of the intestinal tract.
Yes, horses can bloat as well as cattle or sheep. Most every
stockman is well aware of the problem in sheep and cattle but
never thinks it can occur in the mule or horse. Yet it is more
common than one would suppose, especially involving the cecum
and the stomach as well as the large intestine.
The most common cause of stomach or gastric and cecal dilation
or bloat is overeating on certain feeds. Fresh green alfalfa
or red clover, especially when the forage is wet, will cause
a horse to bloat just as it will cattle or sheep. Cereal grains
such as oats, wheat, barley and rye especially if they are
ground will cause bloating and will become packed into a doughy
expanding mass in the stomach. The resulting dilation of the
stomach is probably the most acute colic which can occur in
the horse. The degree of pain exhibited by the animal is in
direct correlation to the amount of dilation of the stomach.
There are several other contributing factors to this form
of colic. Horses that have been deprived of water for a period
of time and allowed to eat grain before drinking are at a great
risk of developing this form of colic. Bot larvae may cause
the stomach’s exit, called the pylorus to be closed,
resulting in the distention of the stomach. Another common
cause of stomach dilation is “cribbing.” This,
of course, is a vice and the “cribber” will often
fill the stomach with gas and when food or water is taken in,
the colic begins.
When the stomach is dilated in most species of animals, they
will vomit. In the horse and mule, vomiting is very difficult
and should it occur, large amounts of ingested feed and fluid
are expelled with great force usually going through the nasal
passages and out the nose. If this happens there is a very
good chance that some of the expelled ingesta will be inhaled
and the animal will suffer from inhalation pneumonia.
In this form of colic the abdominal pain is very severe. The
animal will sweat, kick, strike, roll and in an attempt to
relieve the pain it will sit on its rear quarters much like
a dog. The bloated horse will be like a big drum and it will
not lie down because the resulting pressure will keep it from
breathing and it will die.
Decompression of the stomach can only be done with a nasal
gastric tube often referred to as an equine stomach tube. The
cecum and large intestine can be relieved of gas, or decompressed,
by the use of a horse trochar, or, in its absence, a 5 to 6-inch
14 or 16-gauge needle.
Colic Due to Gastroduodenal Ulcers and Enteritis
Gastric or stomach ulcers can be found in a large number of
foals, yearlings and adult horses. Duodenal ulcers, those found
in the first few feet of the small intestine, occur primarily
in foals although the condition has been found in yearlings.
This type of ulceration is very rare in the adult horse.
Enteritis, or an inflammation of the gut wall, is common to
all ages of horses and mules. Enteritis has many causes. One
sees enteritis and diarrhea in Salmonellosis, Potomac Horse
Fever, Clostridial and E. Coli infections. Antibiotics administered
orally or parenterally can sometimes cause an acute diarrhea.
Some of the known antibiotics which may cause a diarrhea are
erythromycin, penicillin, lincomycin, tetracycline, metronidazole,
and trimethoprim/sulfa.
Horses and mules showing evidence of diarrhea or those suspected
of having gastric or duodenal ulcers may show the signs of
colic. This is especially true with foals. When treating a
colic involving a foal, especially those younger than 1 month,
there are a goodly number of causes for the condition, but
do not overlook a very common one and that is the presence
of these ulcers which often can cause the problem.
Intestinal Obstruction Due to Malposition of a Segment
To use a layman’s term, this condition is often referred
to as a “twisted gut.” Generally, there are three
medical terms used to describe this condition. They are: Torsion,
Voloulus and Intussusception. In torsion, a piece of the intestine
is twisted on itself. Voloulus is the term used when a segment
of intestine knots or twists on itself much the same as seen
in torsion. Intussusception occurs when a portion of the intestinal
tract telescopes into an adjacent portion. The latter, intussusception,
is primarily seen in foals, although it can occur in other
aged horses, although rarely.
Probably the most frequent cause of voloulus is indigestion
with its associated pain, which, in turn, causes the horse
to move suddenly and roll violently.
The ileum, a section of the small intestine, is often involved
because of the long mesentery which holds it in place and contains
the vital blood and nerve supply to it.
There are also other factors which can cause this obstruction
or strangulation of an intestinal segment. Two very common
causes are umbilical and scrotal hernias. These are especially
important in the newborn foal. Should they occur in the newborn
they should be dealt with immediately so as to prevent strangulation
of a portion of the intestine, which may become trapped in
the hernia.
Occasionally, a stallion that has just bred a mare, will come
down with an acute colic. The affected animal should always
be checked rectally as a number of these cases will have a
segment of intestine which has passed through the inguinal
ring and has become strangulated.
This form of colic will appear suddenly and there usually
is intense and continuous pain. It is imperative that a proper
diagnosis be made as soon as possible since surgical intervention
is usually the only resort for the animal’s recovery.
It is very important that the equine practitioner attending
these colic cases perform a thorough physical examination of
the patient before reaching a positive diagnosis of the condition.
Impaction Colic
Impaction refers to an accumulation of food which becomes
stuck in some area of the intestinal tract. The blockage may
be complete or partial. In the draft horse, impactions of the
colon and cecum are the most common areas involved.
In the Midwest, impactions are quite frequent occurring usually
from October through March. Predisposing factors are: 1-changes
from warm to very cold weather; 2-changes from green forage
to dry; 3-damaged or moldy forage; 4-in using a draft horse–too
much work resulting in fatigue; 5-not enough available water
(I think this one is very important as a number of people believe
a horse does not need a source of water if there are snow banks
and snow drifts available); 6-old and thin horses; 7-severe
parasitism; 8-tumors; 9-dental defects.
Any of these factors can be involved in intestinal impactions.
However, most are caused by feeding a low quality forage high
in fiber along with a reduced water intake. (The snowdrift!!)
Impactions of the small intestine usually cause severe and
continuous pain while those occurring in the cecum, large intestine
and rectum are less painful. In the latter, the colic is often
intermittent.
As a general rule, impactions of the intestinal tract are
relatively easy to diagnose and most can be successfully treated
without surgery.
Colic Due to Pregnancy In The Mare
Pregnant mares have an increased risk of colic before and
after delivering the foal. In fact, it was shown in a Virginia-Maryland
study that mares have an increased risk from 60 to 150 days
after foaling.
The colics associated with pregnancy, which occur before delivery
are thought to be caused by the movements of the foal in the
uterus. Almost every owner of a pregnant mare has seen the
foal violently move especially if the mare drinks very cold
water. These mares seem to have a higher risk for colon displacement
and that could be attributed to the movement of the foal in
the uterus.
After foaling, the predisposing factors are not known but
diet and calcium levels may have a part in the program. In
many cases of mare eclampsia or milk fever, a colic is often
observed and the administration of calcium I.V. will solve
the problem.
Azoturia of The Intestinal Tract
Okay; I know I am using an old term, and that dates me! Azoturia
has been dropped from professional use and combined under the
heading of Rhabdomyolysis. The ordinary person can not even
pronounce the term, let alone understand all there is known
about the condition.
When I went to college I was taught this little classification
of colic by “draft horse” instructors. I have seen
the condition often and treated every one of the cases successfully.
When I attend draft horse shows I always carry the meds with
me to treat it as often someone showing their stock will have
a case.
The scenario goes like this. The draft animal is shown in
one or more hitch classes. Naturally the animal is in perfect
physical condition but probably a bit overweight and used to
a diet high in grain or some form of enriched feed. When the
show is over the animal is stabled and, low and behold, in
about 30 to 60 minutes it is colicky.
On the outside the horse appears normal but its whole digestive
tract and urinary apparatus has shut down.
The treatment is by the I.V. route and these cases will fully
recover in less than an hour.
I do not know if light horses at the show have the same problem
but I am well aware that the draft horse at the show is susceptible
to this form of colic. I remember very distinctly treating
three horses at the National Western Stock Show in Denver,
Colorado, for this form of colic in one year.
In the next issue of The Draft Horse Journal I will walk the
readers through some very important measures they should be
taking to prevent these colics in their herds.
I will tell you some of the procedures a veterinarian should
do when he or she attempts to diagnose a case of colic. You,
the owner of the horse, should know what to expect from the
veterinarian.
I also will discuss some procedures that should always be
undertaken if a case of colic is to be treated medically.
And then there’s this: One time I was visiting with
an elderly gentleman, a draft horse owner, and the subject
got around to treating colics. He informed me his treatment
had never failed to cure the horse with colic. I asked what
he did. He replied, “If I have a horse with colic I paint
the navel area with turpentine. It always cures them.”
You can try it–I have! Let me know how it works
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