Recognizing Colic Symptoms

Colic. It's a fear provoking word. Just the thought sends shivers down the spine. We all worry about it, but will we recognize the symptoms?

First and foremost, never ever hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you think your beloved horse has a belly ache. Time is of the essence during a colic. Recognizing symptoms early can help save the horse's life.

Colic in horses is simply, abdominal pain or discomfort. There are many reasons why colic happens, but in this article we will discuss how to spot the symptoms.

The most recognizable colic symptom is uncharacteristic laying down. This is often followed by getting up and laying down repeatedly. Many colicing horses will also roll. Rolling is no good for a sick horse, as this violent reaction to pain can cause Torsion or "twisted gut". Torsion can also be a cause of colic in the first place. Immediate Veterinary care is required and treated with emergency surgery. Torsion is fatal without treatment. Laying down, getting up and rolling over and over is a response to pain. Call your veterinarian immediately.

Pawing, kicking the belly and biting at the flank are more signs of tummy troubles. Again, we are looking for behaviors that aren't typical for your horse. If Blaze paws in the cross ties on normal days, you're probably in the clear. Don't be alarmed if Flicka kicks at a fly or has an itch on the flank. Does your horse keep looking at its side?....this can be a sign of distress. You should be looking for repetitive, irritated responses to pain, and not environmental factors like flys. 

Excessive sweating during rest is a colic symptom. Know your horse's normal vital signs. An adult horse's temperature will be between 99°-101°F. Pulse ranges from 28-44 beats per minute. Respiration is 10-24 breaths per minute. Gums and tongue should be pink with a capillary refill of 2 seconds. Normal gut sounds are gurgles with an occasional roar. Silence is what you do not want to hear. Pain will trigger vital signs to increase dramatically, causing him to sweat. Practice taking your horse's vital signs when he is calm and resting. Invest in an equine thermometer and a set of stethoscopes. Take them with you when you travel. (Emergency box....possibly a good idea for my next article).

Often, the first symptom we notice in a colicing horse is a lack of appetite. A colicing horse will usually have no interest in food or water, including treats and grass. Check for fresh feces in his stall or paddock. Know how frequently your horse poops and what a normal pile looks like. Absence of poop is a sign of problems.

If you believe your horse is colicing, call your veterinarian immediately. While you wait, continue to monitor him as long as it takes the veterinarian to arrive. Secure your horse with a halter and lead rope and walk him. A slow paced walk is effective. Allow your horse to stop and graze if he wants to and offer water frequently. Don't offer feed or hay. Do not let him stop and paw or try to lay down. If you are transporting your horse to the clinic, resist the urge to ride in the trailer with him. This is dangerous for you! Do not medicate your horse without your veterinarian's approval first.

Know your horse's normal, every day behaviors and routine. Sometimes, the slightest changes can indicate a problem. Understanding what is normal will help you determine what is unusual for your horse. So, get out there and practice taking vital signs so you'll feel confident in the event of a problem. While I certainly hope you don't have to deal with belly aches, it's always best to be prepared.