EQUUS' 7-question survey can help determine a horse's chances of developing colic and provides ideas for what can be done to protect its health. The survey score will provide a rough estimate of colic risk and the content shares some management changes that may help reduce colic risks. Source: EQUUS, April 10, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Tools like this survey can improve the … [Read more...]
Search Results for: colic
Spring is gas colic season
Springtime colics are typically caused when gas builds up from a horse ingesting forage that is high in sugar like lush spring grass. The rich grass causes excessive fermentation to occur in the gut, which can create a buildup of gas. With only one way to escape sometimes the gas builds up in pockets causing pain since horses can’t burp. Source: EQUUS, March 28, 2024. … [Read more...]
Preventing gastric ulcers after colic surgery
Stress can predispose a horse to develop gastric ulcers, and surgery is definitely stressful for any animal says Janice L. Holland, PhD. She shares diet and management recommendations can help reduce the incidence of gastric ulcers which also may decrease the incidence of colic. Source: The Horse, August 21, 2023. Link. Recovery from colic surgery is difficult enough … [Read more...]
Causes of surgical site infection unclear in post-colic surgeries
Commentary Surgical site infections are a major concern regardless of the species. There are myriad articles and studies of specific surgery types and conditions. Surgery suite sanitation and infection control papers add more content to libraries. Estimates suggest that four percent to 10 percent of horses will experience colic at least once in their lifetimes. Although … [Read more...]
Spring is gas colic season
Lush green grass is showing up in pastures across the country. Cattle, goats, sheep and horses seek out the juiciest clumps of grass which are high in sugar. For horses, that can cause colic as excessive fermentation occurs in the gut creating a buildup of gas which doesn’t always find a way out of the horse. The result? Gas colic. Consider sharing this article with horse … [Read more...]
Unraveling the mysteries of recurrent colic
While scientists are starting to get a better handle on recurrent colic and recognize new aspects of its multifaceted complexity, it requires a team approach to manage it. Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA, discusses causes, prevention and treatment of this painful and challenging condition that sometimes ends with euthanasia. Source: The Horse, March 21, 2023. … [Read more...]
Straight talk about colic and post-colic care
Our June 28 AHD Bulletin presented resources available for equine practitioners and their clients from ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance <Link>. In the first of two articles linked here, Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, shares experiences from his 20 or more years of specializing in colic. His main motivation remains to find ways to “shorten horses’ hospital visits, reduce … [Read more...]
Colic. What a pain in the gut!
Sponsored Content Colic is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in horses whose specialized digestive tract is easily thrown out of balance. Experts say 4 percent to 10 percent of all horses will experience at least one episode of colic in their lifetime. While most cases are resolved on the farm with medical treatment, approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of cases … [Read more...]
Can Diet Coke really treat colic? Social media gone wrong.
While an older story, this serves as a reminder to be diligent when posting content on social media. Oliver Liyou BVSC (HONS1) MANZCVSC (EQ DENT), was the victim of social media gone awry after posting himself administering Diet Coke to a horse with a gastric impaction. The post reached 1.5 million people and received 6500 likes. Liyou emphasized that the entire point … [Read more...]
Building an equine colic toolkit
Chris White, DVM, shares how horse owners can prepare for a colic episode, considerations to make, and things to keep in mind after surgery. In some horses and situations colic can be impossible to prevent. So, having a toolkit that includes an active VCPR will help owners best handle colic when it happens. White reminds horse owners to avoid handling colic episodes alone. … [Read more...]
Is it or isn’t it colic?
Colic can be resolved easily about 90 percent of the time, but it can also be the end of a horse’s life, writes Marsha King. She provides 33 tips to use as guidelines when dealing with horses. Any horse can experience colic. The disorder is indiscriminate of age, sex, breed, occupation, or environment.” - Michael Fugaro, VMD, Dipl. ACVS Source: The Horse, August 22, … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen the Vet discusses colic
“Colic is an issue that strikes fear into most horse-loving hearts,” says Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM. In this episode of Is this a thing,? she tackles colic as a symptom, behaviors that signal gastro discomfort and some of the ways DVMs help horses and their owners. Source: LinkedIn, October 30, 2020. Link. Find a 3-minute preview video here. Source: … [Read more...]
Colic comes in many forms
Depending on a colic’s cause, treatment steps and prognoses can vary widely, writes Alexandra Beckstett. She breaks down colic cases by type—non-strangulating, strangulating and inflammatory. Source: The Horse, January 2020. Link. (article excerpt). Flank-watching or -biting, pawing, trying to roll, an elevated heart rate, a lack of gut sounds or bowel movements. While … [Read more...]
Acronym helps educate horse owners about colic
R.E.A.C.T. is the hallmark of a marketing effort to reduce the instance of critical colic cases in horses. Sarah Freeman, BVetMed, PhD, DECVS, FHEA, FRCVS, collaborated with the British Horse Society. She presented her work, the campaign and various educational materials at the West Indies Veterinary Conference. The acronym represents these indicators: R estless or … [Read more...]
33 dos and don’ts for equine colic
“Any horse has the ability to experience colic,” states Dr. Michael N. Fugaro. “The disorder is indiscriminate of age, sex, breed, occupation, or environment.” The term “colic” refers to abdominal pain rather than a specific disorder. Conditions that commonly cause colic include gas, impaction, grain overload, sand ingestion, and parasite infection. Marcia King offers dos and … [Read more...]
Spring is gas colic season
Some types of gastrointestinal disturbances are more likely during certain seasons. In spring, gas is the usual culprit of gastrointestinal disturbances. Gas colic develops when a horse ingests forage that is high in sugar, usually lush spring grass. Excessive fermentation then occurs in the gut, which creates a buildup of gas. Source: Equus, April 2015. Although gas colic … [Read more...]
Impaction colic is common and treatable
Equine gastrointestinal distress, colic, has several causes. Impaction colic is one of the more common types and is treatable when caught early. An impaction occurs when a large amount of firm, dry fecal material has built up within the intestine. This mass is then unable to change size as it passes through the varying widths of the digestive system. Impactions occur most often … [Read more...]
Young foals susceptible to colic, other GI issues
There’s nothing quite like watching a new foal struggle to stand on wobbly legs. But, colic can quickly spoil that joy. Because of the foal’s delicate gastrointestinal system, it is important to take signs of even mild colic seriously. It could progress to a life-threatening condition in a few hours. Dr. Thomas Lenz reviews common causes for foal colic and gastrointestinal … [Read more...]
Enteroliths: Colic-causing rocks
Enteroliths are rock-like concretions that are similar to gallstones in humans. They form in the large intestine of a horse; usually after the ingestion of a small pebble, grains of sand or other small, hard object. These rocks can cause anything from mild colic symptoms to full impactions that require surgery or lead to death. Luckily, there are things horse owners can do to … [Read more...]
5 myths about colic debunked
There are many common “understandings” about causes and treatments surrounding the most common medical condition of the horse: colic. Some of these “understandings” developed logically, but most simply aren't based on facts. David Ramey, DVM, presents a better understanding of these common myths and the facts, or lack thereof, on which they are based. Source: Horse … [Read more...]
Prevent winter colic
Colic tops the list of winter equine health challenges. Water, diet and movement are critical. Equine veterinary teams and dealers will appreciate this resource when working with horse owners. The content is also appropriate for websites, newsletters and blogs. Source: EQUUS, February 8, 2016. Cold weather may conspire against your efforts to keep water flowing to your … [Read more...]
Extruded feed supports a healthy gut in horses
Includes Commercial Content Understanding the comprehensive benefits of extruded feed can help nurture happier, healthier horses who are ready to meet their full potential in every aspect of their lives. From foal to senior horse, pelleted feeds can improve the absorption of vital nutrients, provide more calories for growth, development, and performance, and may help lower … [Read more...]
Equine grass sickness: a global concern?
Equine grass sickness is a devastating disease with an 80 percent mortality rate and is almost exclusively seen in horses eating fresh, green grass ,in pasture. EGS is more widespread than initially thought, writes Tanith Harte, PhD who is working to expand knowledge and record the prevalence. Keep EGS in the back of your mind the next time you’re faced with an unresponsive … [Read more...]
10 gallons a day to keep a horse hydrated
Regardless of the season, the average adult horse should drink about one gallon of water for every 100 pounds of body weight; a 1,000-pound horse would need 10 gallons of water each day. Horses prefer to drink water that is between 45° F and 65° F will drink the most water within three hours of consuming a meal. Horses may struggle to get enough water during colder … [Read more...]
New thinking and approaches to cribbing
Researchers still aren’t sure why some horses crib while others managed the same way do not. Most agree that horses do not adopt this behavior by mimicking others. The current thinking is that an individual horse might have a genetic predisposition to crib, but the behavior isn’t triggered until he is subjected to stressors related to his lifestyle, shares Heather … [Read more...]
Avoid algae in horse and livestock water troughs
Working to maintain algae-free water helps keep horses drinking as temperatures rise. Here are two resources addressing algae growth suitable for sharing with horse and livestock owners on social media or in newsletters. Frequent water tank cleaning is important, especially in warm months and especially with plastic tanks.” Clair Thunes, PhD, says most algae don’t pose a … [Read more...]
Water temperature is key to keep horses hydrated in cold weather
To encourage water consumption during cold weather, providing either continuously heated water, ranging from 68°F to 95°F, or filling buckets with water ranging from 115°F to 120°F twice daily at feeding time as an effective strategy for most horses. Source: EQUUS, January 4, 2023. Link. Also see: Cold weather colic, AAEP. Link. Horses must drink 10-12 gallons of fresh … [Read more...]
How to safely travel with horses
Whether horses travels by road or by air, owners must be aware of the complications that may occur due to transportation, including traumatic injuries, diarrhea, muscular problems, respiratory problems, overheating, colic and even laminitis. The AAEP encourages equine veterinarians and horse owners read Practical Guidelines to Assess Fitness for Transport of Equidae to … [Read more...]
Cattle feed can be deadly for horses
A long-running court case serves as a reminder to be vigilant about the source and content of a horse's grain. Twenty horses there were poisoned by a mistaken delivery of cattle grain laced with the antibiotic lasalodic in 1999. All the horses colicked and five died. Source: EQUUS, July 25, 2021. Link. Lasalodic and monensin are two common cattle-feed additives that are … [Read more...]
Have a horse? Prepare for the inevitable.
Sponsored Content Olympic equestrians faced tough challenges, including having to fly horses into Tokyo from pre-export quarantine in Europe. But the biggest challenges arose when the horses spooked or refused during performances because of sumo statues. Also, daruma dolls startled them and a horse got punched. These challenges underscore the health and behavior … [Read more...]