clinical signs - South Shore Equine Clinic

South Shore Equine Clinic
and Diagnostic Center
781.585.2611
www.ssequineclinic.com
Mark T. Reilly, D.V.M.
Linda J. Cimetti, D.V.M.
COLIC:
The #1 killer of horses
COLIC
What is colic?
Common signs
What to do when…
Conditions causing colic
Management of colic
Tips for Prevention
COLIC
Definition:
generalized
abdominal discomfort
Who can colic?
Why do we care?

Number one killer of
horses
CLINICAL SIGNS:
Lying down
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Lateral
Sternal
Flank watching
Pawing
Kicking and/or biting
at abdomen
CLINICAL SIGNS:
Posturing to urinate
without doing so
Anorexia
Rolling
Increased respiration
CLINICAL SIGNS:
Depression
Playing in water bucket
Flehmen response (lip
curl)
Bruxism (grinding teeth)
Decreased manure
production
Changes in consistency
What you can do
How severe are the
signs
Physical exam:
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Heart rate
Temperature
Respiratory rate
Gastrointestinal
sounds
Mucus membranes
What can you do
Call veterinarian prior
to administering
medication
Walk and/or longe

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Prevent rolling
Maintain safety
Remove food
Leave water

Unless feed material is
coming from nose
Veterinary Responsibility:
History
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Manure production
Medications
Last normal
Changes in diet / water
availability
Changes in turnout
Toxin ingestion
Physical exam
Safety
Veterinary Responsibility:
Sedation (+/-)
Analgesics
(banamine)
Palpation per rectum
Diagnostics
Nasogastric
intubation
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Gastric reflux:
proximal obstruction
Fluid administration:
water, electrolytes,
mineral oil, epsom
salts
Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominocentesis
(“belly tap”)
Common Causes of Colic
Gas
Impaction
Parasites
Gastric Ulcers
Ingestion of plants
Obstruction
Displacement
Inflammatory
Causes of Colic:
Gas
Cribbing/wind sucking
Diet change
Weather change
No apparent reason
VERY PAINFUL
Causes of Colic:
Impaction
Dehydration
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Cold weather
Fever
Sweating
Decreased gut motility
ADR (ain’t doin’ right)
Causes of Colic : Inflammatory
Parasites
Bots
Tape worms
Strongyles
Inflammatory
Strategic de-worming
program
Fecal exam
Causes of Colic : Inflammatory
Gastric Ulcers
90% of horse in
training have ulcers
Signs range from mild
to severe colic to poor
performance
Causes of Colic: Inflammatory
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
Phenylbutazone
Banamine
Proximal enteritis
Colitis
Causes of Colic:
Toxic Plants
Poke Weed
Causes of Colic:
Toxic Plants
Red Maple
Wilted leaves
Fall
Causes of Colic:
Toxic Plants
Red Maple
Causes of Colic:
Obstruction
Incarceration
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Epiploic foramen
Intussusception
Mass
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Lipoma (fatty tumor)
Intestinal lymphoma
Melanoma
Causes of Colic
Displacement
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Left dorsal (nephrosplenic
entrapment)
Right dorsal
Medical vs. surgical
Varying degrees of pain
Torsion
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Very painful
Surgical lesion
Time is of the essence
Repeat offenders
Management
Further treatment at
farm or referral clinic
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Pain relief (Banamine)
Sedation
Fluid therapy
Nasogastric
IV
Laxatives mineral oil
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Mineral oil
Management
Exercise
Trailer ride
Referral
Surgery
Prevention
Establish a set daily
routine
Feed a high quality diet
(roughage)
Free choice clean water
at all times
Minimize concentrate
portion of diet
Prevention
Regular turn out and/ or
exercise
Parasite control program
Make any change to the
diet gradual
Avoid unnecessary
medications/supplements
Prevention
Check hay, bedding,
pasture and environment
for potentially toxic
substances
Avoid feeding on the
ground/sand
Reduce stress
Pay attention to animals
being transported
Prevention
Pay particular attention to horses with
previous episodes of colic
Keep accurate records
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Individual horses
Seasonal incidents
Feed change/new hay etc…
Summary
The key to minimizing colic is good
management
Identify the problem early and call your
veterinarian immediately
Treat every incidence of colic as
potentially serious
Thank you
Thanks to
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
Val Schell
Mike Fischer
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