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 these signs and others are pretty clear, common indicators your horse is colicking, what they don’t tell you is the type of abdominal pain he’s experiencing.
Also see: Colic comes in many forms, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Link.
There is a lot we do not know about the pathophysiology of colic, but we can address the symptoms and treat the animal nonetheless.” – Dr. Annette McCoy
INSIGHTS: With quick and appropriate medical attention, prognosis for a colicky horse can be quite good. Dr. McCoy recommends referencing the REACT guidelines published by the University of Nottingham < link >or the University of Guelph’s Colic Risk Rater < link > for owners who want to learn more about how to respond appropriately to a colic situation.