Spiller_Feed Supplement_p2-18_FeedGuideNov11 25/01/2012 16:17 Page 18
COLIC
Colic simply means pain within the abdominal tract do so safely without getting cast or damaging itself on hard surfaces or projections. Treatment will vary depending on the type and severity of the colic. The majority of cases can be successfully treated by drugs administered by a vet. More serious cases may be referred for surgery. Colic surgery is a complex procedure and may not be an option in every case. It can be expensive and carries a high level of risk for the patient. Early treatment is essential.
Prevention
COLIC Lee Hackett (BHS Welfare) offers some advice on dealing with colic.
C
olic simply means pain within the abdominal tract. It is a symptom, not a disease. Because there are many causes for this pain, the horse’s behaviour when suffering with colic will vary greatly.
The most common types of colic are: 1. Impaction Can be caused by indigestible, dry feed such as unsoaked sugar beet pellets or grass cuttings that stick together and cause a blockage. Likewise a build up of sand ingested from grazing poor grass on sandy soil or drinking from a silty water source may have the same effect. 2. Spasmodic The most common type of colic, often associated with stress or excitement. Bouts of short sharp pain caused by spasms of the intestinal walls may be experienced, with loud gut sounds. Recovery may be spontaneous, but veterinary attention is required. 3. Flatulent Results from an excessive gas accumulation in the large intestine and commonly associated with high pitch gut sounds. Caused by food materials fermenting in the digestive tract and commonly seen in horses fed large quantities of fermentable food such as fresh, rich spring grass. 4. Obstructive There are various types of obstructive colic, including strangulation and mechanical pressure on the gut – potentially the most serious types of colic.
18 Feed Guide | november-december
A strangulating obstruction disrupts blood flow, usually when a piece of the intestine becomes twisted – commonly referred to as a ‘twisted gut’. 5. Non-strangulating infarction Occurs if a blood vessel becomes blocked, usually an artery that feeds a section of the intestine, and then dies. Parasites are a common cause of this type of colic.
Signs of colic Signs depend greatly on the severity and type of the colic. They may include some, or all, of the following: • Changes in eating habits, including loss of appetite • Continuously getting down to roll, then getting back up again • Pawing the ground • Pacing the stable • Limited or no passage of faeces • Straining to excrete faeces • Turning round and looking at the flanks • Kicking at the abdomen • Shivering • Sweating • Abnormal temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate. The better you know your horse in his ‘normal’ state, the more likely you are to recognise changes in behaviour and quickly identify a potential colic case.
Treatment All cases of colic must be treated as an emergency and veterinary advice sought immediately when colic is suspected. Ensure that if the horse does go down to roll it can
There are many simple steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of your horse suffering from colic. ® Feed a diet composed predominantly of forage (such as hay, haylage or grass). The fibre in forage promotes a healthy digestive system and maintains gut motility. ® If you are feeding your horse compound feed then do so ‘little and often’. Horses have small stomachs which should not be overloaded. ® Do not make sudden changes to your horse’s diet. Introduce new feeds in gradually increasing quantities while progressively reducing the quantity of the previous feedstuff. This is vital to allow the microbes in the horse’s gut to acclimatise and adapt to the new feed. ® Use only good quality feeds. Choosing a cheaper, lower quality feed or forage may compromise the horse’s health and precipitate the onset of colic or respiratory disorders. ® Feeds should always be stored in vermin- and horse-proof containers to prevent horses gorging themselves on the content of open feed bins. ® Horses will eat certain types of bedding. This may lead to intestinal blockages. Keep an eye on your horse’s bed and if you believe he is eating it, it may be necessary to use an alternative. ® Do not allow horses to graze where grass is sparse and soil sandy. Prevent horses from drinking from shallow, silty water sources. ® Ensure a constant supply of clean, fresh drinking water is available. ® Feeding and watering horses in large quantities prior to hard exercise is not recommended. Similarly, feeding too soon after exercise, before the horse has completely cooled down, also poses a risk. ® Water may be offered in small quantities after exercise, but giving very cold water to a hot horse is best avoided. Once the horse has cooled down normal watering may be resumed.
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