COLIC—THE MOST COMMON EQUINE EMERGENCY

COLIC WINTER 2011

Colic is abdominal pain and most commonly results from a

problem in the gastro-intestinal tract. The signs can range
from mild to severe and often correlate to the severity of
the disease. In general, younger horses show more pain
than older horses with the same problem since they have
not endured some of the bumps and bruises of life yet. It is
important for the horse owner to be knowledgeable about
colic since it can be a life threatening condition. Colicky horse

CLINICAL SIGNS OF COLIC

>Rolling > Bloated > Flehman (flipping the upper lip)

>Getting up and down > Kicking at the belly > Depression

>Pawing > Not eating > Not producing feces

>Looking at the flank > Restlessness > Dry, hard feces

VITAL SIGNS—NORMAL HORSE

Rest
Temperature: 99-101°F Heart rate: 32-44 bpm Respiratory rate: 8-20 bpm

Mucous membranes: pink and moist to the touch Capillary refill time: less than 2 seconds

Gastro-intestinal sounds: Loud rumble every 30-45 seconds

Feces: Multiple piles of formed fecal balls that are moist

Digital pulses: Barely palpable with cool hoof walls

MY HORSE IS COLICKING, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Call your veterinarian. Be prepared to describe your horse’s

behavior, any medications given, any changes in
feeding or exercise, and vital parameters

Remove food from the stall

Allow your horse to rest if lying quietly

Walking can be helpful in small amounts to help motility

Recheck vital signs

Once the veterinarian arrives, discuss the diagnosis and

plan for care. Will referral to a hospital be needed for
medical or surgical care?

Questions or comments:
Please contact us at info@mwequinecenter.com or call 608 -883-2995.
COLIC EXAM AT MWEC

Complete physical exam

Blood work—hydration, electrolytes, chemistry panel
Rectal exam—palpate gas and fluid distension in the
abdomen and location of intestines
Abdominal ultrasound—assess unreachable
abdominal structures and motility of intestines
Nasogastric tube—check for fluid build-up in the
stomach since horses cannot vomit
Abdominal fluid sampling Abdominal ultrasound of
distended small intestine

WHEN DOES MY HORSE NEED COLIC SURGERY?

Colic surgery is indicated when the horse has uncontrollable

pain or a severe abnormality is detected on the colic exam.

COLIC EXAM AT MWEC

WHAT OCCURS DURING COLIC SURGERY?

An incision is made into the abdomen.

The abnormalities are diagnosed.
Based on the abnormality:
The intestines are returned to the correct position
Dead or compromised intestine is removed
Impactions are relieved via an incision in the intestine
The abdomen is sutured or stapled closed

PROGNOSIS AFTER SURGERY

Depends on the condition diagnosed and time prior to surgery

Colon displacements: 90%
Colon torsion: 50-80% (depends on injury to colon)
Small intestinal removal and anastomosis: 70-80%
Most horses who have had colic surgery can return to their previous level
of activity after healing of the abdominal incision.

TREATMENT AT MORRIE WAUD EQUINE CENTER

Your horse will be examined and treated by a surgeon, who has spent 3 years
specializing in surgery. One of our surgeons also spent 2 years training in
emergency and critical care. We have experienced veterinarians to provide the
best referral center care for your horse.

Questions or comments:
Please contact us at info@mwequinecenter.com or call 608 -883-2995.