There are several types of equine colic with different causes. Heres a quick look at four common colic descriptions and what they mean. Severe form of colic that arises when small intestine enters foramen and becomes entrapped stuck causing the intestine to lose its blood supply. How to diagnose and treat colic in horses veterinary. Equine colic the term colic can cause fear in many horse owners. True intestinal colic can be divided into three types.
Signs include pawing the ground, kicking at the abdomen, and rolling from side to side. Jul 28, 2007 types of colic freeman noted that the overall incidence of colic is about 1036%, according to the 1999 handbook of colic by white and edwards. Worms such as roundworms or tapeworms are some of the most common types of intestinal parasites in horses, and are the main cause of strangulation colic. There are many causes, ranging from simple indigestion to a twisted gut. Idiopathic colic unknown causes mild idiopathic colic 83%. Colic is the major cause of morbidity and mortality, premature deaths, and is the number one health concern in horses.
Types of colic as mentioned previously, there is a myriad of different reasons for colic and often we are never really quite sure why a horse has shown colic signs. It is a common cause of death in horses and ponies. Texas horse colic information horse health article. The term colic, or saying a horse has colic is similar to saying a horse has. While colic can include a simple blockage, a spasm in the colongas buildup, or torsions in the digestive tract, the majority of colic episodes are idiopathic, or. Sep 25, 2017 types of colic colic is related to many different maladies and include the following. However, it can also be caused by viral or bacterial infections.
Horses that have colic experience pain within their abdominal area for a variety of reasons. Occurrence, treatment protocols, and outcomes of colic in horses. The most common types of colic include spasmodic and impact colic. Just as in other animals, excess gas production in horses can cause mild to moderate discomfort. When diagnosing individual cases and devising treatments, however, veterinarians will use more specific language. However, stabled horses may be under better observation and more likely to be diagnosed with colic. A horse owners guide to colic veterinary extension university of. Technically, colic refers to pain in a horse s abdomen, although colic episodes typically reflect conditions of the colon. Colic is the general term for pain in the horses abdomen. The severity of cases of colic can range from mild to potentially fatal. Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored. Only veterinarians who have successfully completed the certification requirements of the acvs are diplomates of the american college of veterinary surgeons and have earned the right to be called specialists in. Technically, colic refers to pain in a horses abdomen, although colic episodes typically reflect conditions of the colon. Colic and abdominal pain in horses hygain horse feeds.
So although we tend to think of colic as a single condition, it is actually just a sign that something is wrong in the horses abdomen most probably in its digestive tract. They break down the types and frequency of colic horses experience as. Equine colic occurs worldwide, although there are regional differences in the types of colic for example, enterolithiasis, and is a common and important disease of horses. Pastures higher in fiber and much more bulky, and about 15 percent pastures can reduce feed costs and provide plenty of vitamins and good quality proteins. The causes of colic are numerous, but generally they are related to the anatomy and the microflora of. Fortunately, over 80 percent of colic types respond well to treatment on the farm.
The horse s digestive system is designed to subsist on this type of roughage, as horses do in the wild. In fact, highgrain diets are linked to increased incidence of colic as well as founder, obesity, and other disorders. Colic in horses symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment. Colic can be caused by many things but is often a clinical condition that can be controlled andor prevented with good management strategies. It is this unfortunate design which predisposes the horse to different types of colic. Types of colic the word colic simply means zpain in the abdomen belly. Although not approved for use in horses in the united states, the newer nsaids like meloxicamd 0. A horse owners guide to colic university of florida. Colic indicates a painful problem in your horses abdomen. To understand why horses colic, it is important to understand the horses digestive system.
Gastrointestinal stasis may also occur in some horses. Spasmodic colic usually occurs when a horse drinks very cold water, or large amounts of water too quickly. Causes of colic can be divided into three general areas. There is the potential for the stomach to rupture which is fatal. It is often accompanied by mild symptoms including. Horses with choke can present similar symptoms to colic.
Exploratory celiotomy or colic surgery is the name given to the procedure of performing exploratory surgery in the abdomen of the horse. Horses then appear distressed, their necks can go in to spasm and they may drool saliva, as well as food and mucus from the nose and mouth. Causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention adapted from the online equine nutrition course, my horse university colic. Some experts believe that colic is the result of an allergy to cows milk proteins or lactose intolerance in formulafed babies. The good news is, most babies outgrow gerd by age 1 and colic usually goes away long before then. Here at langford vets, we have teamed up with the university of nottingham and the british horse society to bring you a series of informative articles about this important condition. Among domesticated horses, colic is the leading cause of premature death. Jul 05, 2017 it is this unfortunate design which predisposes the horse to different types of colic. An object usually a piece of food becomes stuck in the horses oesophagus, which causes choking. The term colic is very broad, encompassing any pain in a horses gut, regardless of the cause. Baby colic what is colic symptoms, signs, and remedies.
Many of the conditions that cause colic can become life threatening in a relatively short period of time. The most common types of colic are intestinal dysfunctions. A number of factors have been shown to increase the risk of this type of colic including. Displacement portion of the gut moves out of its normal position entrapped twiststorsions 2 fermentation in the hindgut. Causes of colic in horses there are many causes of colic in horses, so veterinarians will focus on trying to categorize the type of colic a horse has rather than identifying a specific cause. However, some types of colic are more serious then others. Internal parasites are a primary cause of colic abdominal pain in horses and can cause or contribute to many respiratory, digestive, and performance problems.
To understand why horses colic, it is important to understand the horse s digestive system. For the novice horse owner, colic is often a term that is poorly understood. Causes of gastrointestinal colic in horses in western. Nutritionrelated risk factors for colic in horses epsilon archive for. Equine colic can be divided into 2 major categories. Written observations of horses with colic helped to establish characteristics of different diseases. Colic is a term used to describe a symptom of abdominal belly pain, which in horses is usually caused by problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
This percentage included simple colic as well as strangulating lesions. Types of colic freeman noted that the overall incidence of colic is about 1036%, according to the 1999 handbook of colic by white and edwards. Whatever the type or cause, it is a serious condition, as it is responsible for more equine deaths than any other disease. There are a number of different types and causes of it in texas. Gender o mares particularly those that have just foaled and stallions are at increased risk of particular types of colic. Horse colic prevention and management colic is the term used to describe abdominal pain it can indicate a problem with the gut itself or other organs within the abdomen. Types of colic expert advice on horse care and horse riding. Colic, in horses, any of a number of disease conditions that are associated with clinical signs of abdominal pain. Factors that contribute to colic 1 mobility of the digestive tract the gut is only held into place by a thin sheet of tissue called the mesentery in 3 locations so the gut can be mobile. Thus, it behooves equine clinicians to have thorough knowledge of the various causes of colic as well as various methods used in diagnosis and treatment. Studies show 410% of horses are diagnosed with colic annually. The following is a broad classification of some of the more common types of colics. Horses intestinal tracts are not made to digest grain, keenan says. The severity of colic varies from mild to severe to the point of euthanization.
Colic is one of the most common causes of death in. With the inclusion of germinated barley, there was a significant decrease in the colic events in the total population 5. By veterinarians, colic is used as an actual symptom, or clinical sign, instead of a diagnosis. Gas colic occurs when there is excessive build up of gas within the intestines of the horse. Spasmodic colic is most often caused by a change in diet, lack of roughage, or parasites. Jan 17, 2019 among domesticated horses, colic is a major cause of premature death, so knowledge of different types, signs and what to do are extremely important the incidence of colic in the general horse population has been estimated between 10 and 11% per year. The severity of colic that results from parasites can vary from mild, intermittent colic to colic that needs surgery to correct the problem, and it. Colic is the number one cause of death in horses when you exclude old age. Equine colic comes in many forms veterinary medicine at. Causes and symptoms colic is defined as any abdominal pain although horse owners typically refer to colic as problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Gas colic typically occurs due to gas build up in the large colon or cecum. To increase the quality of life for horses, it is vital to understand the. Many horse owners consider the word colic a scary one and for some it brings heart breaking memories.
There are over 70 different types of intestinal problems that cause colic symptoms, which range from mild to severe lifethreatening in nature. Mar 20, 2017 the term colic is very broad, encompassing any pain in a horse s gut, regardless of the cause. Equine medicine has come a long way in understanding, treating and reducing the risk of colic, but it still is on the top of the list of medical emergencies and the number one cause of death in horses. What is most critical and most overlooked by horse owners is that the horse is an animal that is adapted to eating forage, such as grass and hay. Colic is the leading medical cause of death in horses. Nongastrointestinal colic cases can usually be excluded based on physical examination findings. Colic in horses is a condition that can be quite distressing to the animals.
Horses are especially susceptible to colic related to digestive tract problems, and death occurs in about 11 percent of affected animals. For cases of equine colic recognized in the field, as distinct from those referred for specialized treatment, the incidence rate ranges between 3. The horses digestive system is designed to subsist on this type of roughage, as horses do in the wild. This bulletin is designed to address the common causes. This breaks down into various types of colic as follows. That is why it is so important for anyone who owns or cares for horses to understand the risk factors and causes of colic, its signs and symptoms, the different types of medical and surgical colic in horses, when to call the veterinarian out to diagnose and treat the condition, and what you can do to try and prevent colic in horses. In general, horses with strangulating obstructions and complete obstructions require emergency abdominal surgery, whereas horses with the other types of disease can be treated medically. Colic surgery in horses american college of veterinary. Breed o arabs, thoroughbreds and miniatures are at increased risk of colic. The history of the present colic episode and previous episodes, if any, must be considered to determine whether the horse has had repeated or similar problems. Horses can be categorized by size as light horses, draft horses, and ponies.
Colic is a general term used to refer to abdominal pain in horses. Impaction colic occurs when there is a blockage in the horses gastrointestinal tract. How to recognize and treat colic in horses with pictures. Among domesticated horses, colic is a major cause of premature death, so knowledge of different types, signs and what to do are extremely important the incidence of colic in the general horse population has been estimated between 10 and 11% per year. Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Almost every part of the horses digestive tract can be affected by colic and a number of.
Colic is the most common medical condition of the horse, comprising up to 50 percent of the medical cases seen by the equine practitioner. This is certainly the most common type of colic and equates to the majority of colics we treat. The incidence of colic in the general horse population has been estimated between 4 and 10 percent over the course of their lifetime. It can affect horses of all ages and types, and can vary from a mild bout of discomfort that resolves itself to something. Colic in equine international journal of advanced research in. These types of colic are often referred to as medical colic and include gas and impaction colic. There are many different types of colic that horses can suffer from. The term colic, or saying a horse has colic is similar to saying a horse has sinus pain, or leg pain. Types of equine colic crusade against equine colic. The overall incidence of colic is in the range of 1036% per year according to the handbook of equine colic. Colic is a term used to describe all types of abdominal pain in horses. Digesting food is a big task for a babys brand new gastrointestinal system.
Colic in horses uk college of agriculture university of kentucky. Types of colic colic is responsible for 1 in 3 emergency equine veterinary callouts and is a major cause of death or euthanasia in horses. If the horse fails to respond to initial treatment, then a more specific diagnosis will probably be necessary. One of the four primary types of colic affecting horses, spasmodic colic is pain caused by excess gas in the horses gut or an inability to pass gas. It is a digestive disorder that is very common in horses. Typically, this is performed to correct lifethreatening abnormalities of the gastrointestinal gi tract intestines that cause colic. Colic is a frequent and important cause of death to these species. More than 80% are mild episodes where a specific diagnosis is not made known as idiopathic colic. Mar 31, 2020 colic ends, the theory goes, when baby learns how to filter out some environmental stimuli and, in doing so, avoids a sensory overload. Colic surgery in horses the term acvs diplomate refers to a veterinarian who has been board certified in veterinary surgery.
More rarely, colic may be a reaction to specific foods in moms diet in breastfed. It has a significant economic impact on the racehorse industry and is a major concern for owners. Colic is one of the most common problems in equine practice. Changes in living situations, transportation, certain. Stomach distention the small capacity of the horses stomach makes it susceptible to distension when large amounts of grain are ingested in a single meal. The different types of equine colic are usually classified according to their cause, the symptoms they produce, and the region of the body that is affected. The vast majority of these are due to some sort of gastrointestinal problem. In horses, colic is a series of conditions that cause varying degrees of abdominal pain.