Horses of any age can have the same condition as babies.In the case of horses, it can be caused by a variety of factors.In horses, it can be dangerous and even fatal.If you identify the signs and symptoms and get prompt veterinary attention, you can treat it.
Step 1: Look closely at your horse.
The incidence of colic is lower among owners who take great interest in their horses.It is important for the wellbeing of your horse to always be watched, even if it is healthy or ill.These can show you if your horse is showing signs of illness.There are a number of signs and symptoms of colic in a horse.
Step 2: spasmodic colic can happen.
spasmodic colic is pain caused by excess gas in the horse's gut or inability to pass gas, it is one of the four primary types of colic affecting horses.A change in diet, lack of roughage, or parasites are some of the causes of spasmodic colic.Mild symptoms include: Sweating Occasional gut pain Loud gut noises.
Step 3: Look for impaction.
Impaction colic happens when there is a problem in the intestines.It can be caused by dehydration.Impaction colic can be fatal for a horse if left unattended.There are a number of signs that indicate impaction colic in your horse.
Step 4: Sand colic can be detected by detecting it.
Horses that are grazed on sandy pastures are more likely to have this type of colic.Too much sand and dirt can cause sand colic.This can cause irritation of the bowel lining.If your horse exhibits the following symptoms, it may have sand colic.
Step 5: It's a good idea to monitor for twisted gut.
Individual organs can twist on one another in horses.An interruption in the blood supply is caused by this very serious condition.Emergency surgery is usually required for a horse that has twisted gut colic.If your horse has any of the following symptoms, it may have twisted gut.
Step 6: You should call your vet immediately.
If you notice signs of colic in your horse, you should immediately contact your vet.If left unattended, many types of colic can be fatal for a horse.If it is safe for you to call your vet, take your horse's vital signs.You can use this to describe your horse's condition.Give your vet any information about symptoms your horse is showing, how long the animal has had them, and any questions about what you should do until the vet arrives.
Step 7: Follow your doctor's directions.
Once the doctor arrives, your vet will give you instructions on what to do.During the waiting time, these measures can keep your horse comfortable.The most common treatments are walking the horse and not having access to food.It is safe for you and the horse to walk if the animal is comfortable.Walk at a slow pace until you reach the point of exhaustion.If your horse is causing pain, you should stop walking it.You should not feed your horse while you wait for the vet.If they need water, they can drink it.
Step 8: Your vet will perform an examination.
A basic examination is what your vet will do when he or she arrives.The horse will be assessed by the vet.The most likely type of colic your horse has will be determined by your vet after this.It's unusual to diagnose the exact cause of horse colic.If you have to perform a rectal exam on your horse, allow your vet to sedate you.Valuable information from the rectal exam can make a difference in the type of treatment prescribed.
Step 9: Relieve pain with drugs.
Your vet will give you an analgesia to relieve your horse's pain no matter what type of colic it is.Flunixin meglumine can help control the horse's pain for a few hours at a time.
Step 10: Remove gas and fluid build up.
Relief of the pressure may be suggested by your vet if he or she determines that the horse has gas or fluid build up.A nasogastric tube is passed through your horse's nose.The tube gives gas and other fluids a way to travel away from the horse's gut.Your horse may need to have a nasogastric tube inserted.Your vet can help calm and restrain your horse.If the horse is bleeding, put a towel over it.If the bleeding is normal, don't be alarmed.
Step 11: The impaction should be removed.
Your vet may be able to determine if your horse has a problem with parasites or fecal matter.Dislodging the impaction involves using mineral oil or laxatives.If the impaction is caused by parasites, your vet will give you medication to kill them.The vet can give fecal-softening agents through a stomach tube.They may be used in conjunction with IV fluids.Have your horse walk to get fluids to move through its system.Your horse may benefit from this.Grain and hay should not be fed until the horse has a bowel movement.The horse may be stimulated by the fresh grass when walking.
Step 12: Give fluids.
In addition to removing an impaction, your horse may be given oral or IV fluids to rehydrate or if it is in shock.After getting IV fluids, your horse may need to be reexamined to see if the impaction is gone or if it is still dehydrated.Your horse may get fluids through a stomach tube or IV catheter.Your doctor may recommend these fluids for a few days until your horse is able to drink again.One gallon of mineral oil and some water can be given to your vet.This helps the body break down the excess gas.
Step 13: Give the medication.
Your vet may give you medication if your horse has damage to its idiosyncrasy.They can prevent or counteract toxins in the body.
Step 14: Go for surgery.
Your horse may need surgery if it has a mechanical obstruction or twisted gut.In the most extreme cases, this treatment must be done quickly to save a horse's life.You need to take the horse to an equine hospital that has abdominal surgery and follow-up intensive care in order to have surgery.It can take months to recover from surgery.It is important to understand that the outcome of your horse's surgery is dependent on a number of factors.
Step 15: Listen to instructions after treatment.
Your vet will give you instructions on how to care for your horse.Monitoring the horse for further pain or taking preventative measures can be done.Make sure you follow the instructions your vet gives you.Giving the horse plenty of fresh, clean water is one of the instructions your vet may suggest.
Step 16: Know the risk factors.
There are four main causes of colic in horses: stretched intestines because of gas or fluid, tension on the mesentery, inadequate blood supply, and inflammation along the intestinal wall.If you know the risk factors that contribute to these causes, you can more easily identify it in your horse.Changes in the feed and water supply may make your horse more prone to colic.
Step 17: Provide clean, fresh water.
There is an increased risk of colic in horses if they don't get fresh water every 1-2 hours.For horses over the age of six, this is especially true.Make sure your horse has a source of fresh and clean water every 1-2 hours.Allow your horse to drink from a bucket instead of an automatic waterer.A bucket will allow your horse to get a bigger amount of water at a time than a waterer will.Think about the environment.In the winter, make sure the water sources are free-flowing.Adding hot water to buckets in the winter will give your horses a continuous supply of warm water.Water should be refreshed frequently in the summer.If you are traveling, stop to let your horse drink.
Step 18: It's important to maximize feeding.
Your horse's health can be affected by how you feed it.Giving it access to pasture and avoiding sand can help prevent colic.If possible, make sure your horse has access to a pasture.It is possible to minimize your horse's risk of colic by not feeding on round bales of hay.If possible, give your horse fresh hay or grass instead of pelleted feed.If your horse is sandy, don't feed it on the ground.Horses that eat a lot of sand are more likely to be sick.Place rubber mats or catch pans on the ground to allow your horse to eat scraps without getting sand.If necessary, change your horse's diet gradually.Slowly increase the new percent of the feed until your horse is used to it.
Step 19: Make sure your horse's teeth are clean.
It is important that your horse's teeth are healthy so that it can chew its food.The risk of colic can be minimized by this.To maintain your horse's oral hygiene, use a float, which is a type of file or rasp.A float can be purchased at a pet store or specialty horse store.Manual and electric floats can be used to file or rasp your horse's teeth.The surfaces of the horse's teeth should be straight.Don't worry about hurting your horse, it has no nerves near the surface.Your vet can do the procedure if you are worried about floating your horse's teeth.
Step 20: Control the parasites.
Your horse is exposed to different parasites when it is outside.If your horse is dewormed by your vet, you should give it a daily wormer.It is possible to reduce the risk of colic in your horse.Deworming your horse with a double dose of pyrantel is what most farms do.Ivermectin can be used for the other three dewormings.Do you know what the best deworming treatment is for your horse?