Everything Horse UK Everything Horse Magazine, October 2018 issue 38 | Page 28

HORSE HEALTH
A bit of belly
ache ... ouch!
‘Colic’…that word that fills horse owners with dread! However, colic is actually a relatively
common disorder affecting the horse and can occur at any time for a plethora of reasons. It is
not a specific disorder but instead a general term describing ‘abdominal discomfort’.
C
olic usually occurs from
discomfort originating from
the gastro-intestinal tract. It
can also be due to pain from
other abdominal organs such
as the kidney, liver or uterus,
this is termed ‘false colic’. In
addition ‘tying up’ (exertional
rhabdomyolysis), laminitis and
even foot abscesses can incur similar symptoms to colic.
Here, Merete Hass BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS, takes
a look at colic symptoms, the different types of colic,
what to do if you suspect colic and the overal role the
vet takes.
COLIC SYMPTOMS
The following symptoms are not exhaustive but cover
the majority of the clinical signs of colic that you may
see. It is important to recognise these so you can identify
cases of colic in your horse and seek veterinary help.
• Pawing at the ground
• Stretching
• Flank watching
• Pacing
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Biting at abdomen
• Rolling
• Groaning
• Lying down
• Reduced faecal output
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TYPES OF COLIC
As discussed colic covers a number of abdominal
disturbances but it is often discussed as either ‘medical’
i.e. that which can be corrected without the need for
surgery, and ‘surgical’ that requires surgery to correct.
SPASMODIC/IDIPATHIC: One of the most common
types of colic that we come across in practice. Abnormal
contractions of the bowel, often described as ‘overactive
guts’ results in painful contractions. It can be due to a
number of factors including diet alterations, changes
in the grass, recent worming and even things such as
weather or stressful situations. It usually responds well
to anti-spasmodic drugs such as Hyoscine Butylbromide
(‘Buscopan’) sometimes in combination with a non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Phenylbutazone
(‘Bute’).
IMPACTIONS: Usually, but not exclusively affecting
the large intestine, impactions are firm blockages of
food. They usually result from horses eating bedding,
having a reduced fluid intake or reduced movement -
therefore this is a type of colic to look out for when
horses are on box rest but can also occur at other times.
Generally impactions can be corrected medically by
administration of fluids, either via a nasogastric tube
or intravenously (‘dripping’) combined with pain relief.
However, more severe impactions can require surgery.
DISPLACEMENTS, TORSIONS AND
STRANGULATIONS: When a unit of bowel travels
to an abnormal location within the abdomen we
refer to it as displaced. Torsions occur when the gut
twists on itself (often referred to as a ‘twisted gut) and
strangulation occurs if the blood supply to a portion
of gut gets cut off. These are relatively uncommon
types of colic but are very serious. Occasionally
displacements can be corrected medically but severe
di