Understanding Colic in Horses 1 Facts About Equine Colic • • • • Equine means horse One of the most dangerous medical problem One out of every ten horses colic each year Number one killer of horses 2 What Is Colic? • Not a disease • General term indicating abdominal pain • In the digestive system • Every case should be taken seriously 3 Organs Involved in Colic A. The horse’s small, B. C. D. E. F. one compartment stomach Small intestine Cecum Colon Small colon Rectum 4 Causes • Horses with a • Environmental or history of colic are feeding change 6 times more likely to have colic again • Previous abdominal • Stress of horse surgery are 5 times as likely 5 Symptoms • Mild pain • • • • • • • Pawing the ground Sweating Looking at the belly Restlessness Lack of appetite Stamping the hind feet Lying down 6 More Symptoms • Severe pain • Violently pawing • • • • • ground Appear bloated Muscle straining Kick violently Sweat a lot Lie down and get up frequently 7 Symptoms Cont. • Sit on haunches like a dog • Roll or lie on their backs • Have below normal temperature-because of stock setting in • Increase respiration rate • Elevated heart rate • Few or no gut sounds 8 Prevention • Have a daily routine including feeding and exercise schedules and stick to it 9