b"Arizona Ask the VetREALTUMMY TROUBLESCOUNTRY olic is the number-one the magazine C killer of horses. The good news is that most cases of colic are mild and resolve Mike Barna with simple medical treatment, and sometimes with no specific treatment at all. Less than 10 percent of Publisher all colic cases are severe enough to require surgery ArizonaRealCountryMagazine@gmail.com or cause the death of the horse. Nevertheless, every case of colic should be taken seriously because it can be difficult to tell the mild ones from the potentially Erika Smith Royal serious ones in the early stages.Editor Dont be misled by mild signs and conclude its a do-erika963realcountry@gmail.com it-yourself solution. While that could be the case, the price of a phone consultation with your vet is muchparticularly if the horse has a condition that requires Misty Voitovski less costly and painful than dealing with a worseningemergency surgery. If you suspect your horse is surgical situation or the angst of a euthanasia thatsuffering from colic, the following actionsCreative Director might not have been necessary if youd acted sooner. are suggested: Remove all hay and grain from the horse's Colic is not a disease.It is merely a symptom ofsurroundings, but leave the horse some water.Contributing Writers disease. Specifically, colic indicates a painful problem If necessary, move the horse to a smaller enclosure Lee Anderson, Hannah Hanson,in the horse's belly. There are dozens of conditionsso you can watch it more closely.Justin Legler, Mark Melkowski,that can cause a horse to show signs of abdominal If it is already dark or approaching nightfall, arrange pain. Most, but not all, involve the digestive system,for some lighting so that you can examine theBetsy Nunn, Jim Olson,most often the stomach or intestines. horse properly.Bill Roberts, Alan Rockman, Allow the horse to rest if it simply wants to stand or Bob Roloff, John Samsill,Do you know what to doand just as importantly,lie quietly; walk the horse around if it is continually Hank Sheffer, Buddy Uldrikson,what not to doif your horse displays vague, mild,rolling or in danger of hurting itself but do not tire or serious signs of what might be colic? How do youthe horse with relentless walking.Michele Wilson handle the situation? Actions to take/avoid with your Keep the horse under close observation until the horses recovery plan? How to minimize the risk forsigns of colic resolve or the veterinarian arrives.colic in the first place?Call your veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian 801 W. Wickenburg Way may not need to come out and examine the horse THE SIGNS immediately if the colic signs are mild, but leave that Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Horses show signs of abdominal pain in a variety decision to the veterinarian.of ways. Here are some of the more common signs(602) 254-6644 of colic. When you call, be prepared to provide as muchTurning the head toward the flank information as possible including: ArizonaRealCountry.comPawingSpecific signs and their severity Kicking or biting at the bellyPulse or heart rate/beats per minute Stretching out as if to urinate, without doing soRespiratory rate/breaths per minute Repeatedly lying down and getting up, or attemptingRectal temperatureto do soMoistness/color of the gums and refill time for gumRepeated rolling, often with grunting sounds color (normal is one to two seconds) Sitting in a dog-like position, or lying on the backDigestive sounds (if any) Holding the head in an unusual positionBowel movements, including color, consistency, Leaving food or being completely disinterested and frequencyFollow Arizona Realin foodAny recent changes in feeding or exercise Putting the head down to water without drinkingMedical history, including breeding, deworming and Country for news, events, Lack of bowel movements or fewer bowelany past episodes of colicgiveaways and more! movements than normal Reduced or absent digestive sounds THINGS TO AVOID Inappropriate sweating that is not related to hot Unless you have the equipment, necessaryArizona Real Country is owned andweather or exercise training, and experience do not attempt to do any Rapid breathing or flared nostrils of the following:published by Barna Broadcasting Elevated pulse rate that is greater than 50 beatsLLC. No person, organization or partyper minute Pass any kind of tube into the horse's stomach. It is can copy or reproduce the content Depression or lethargy very easy to damage the horse's nasal passages, throat on our website and/or magazine or Lip curling unrelated to sexual interest or esophagus with improper equipment or technique. any part of this publication withoutAlso, the tube passes more readily into the windpipe a written consent from the editorsSeeing any of these signs should prompt you to take athan into the esophagus, potentially damaging the panel and the author of the content, ascloser look and keep a watchful eye on the horse. trachea. Any liquid poured down the tube will be delivered directly into the horse's lungs, which can applicable. The publisher, authors andTAKE ACTION easily result in the death of the horse by suffocation.contributors reserve their rights withWhile some cases of colic resolve without medical regards to copyright of their work. care, a significant percentage of horses with colicGive the horse any substance by mouth, particularly require medical treatment. Time is perhaps the mostliquids. Most horses resist swallowing liquids given by critical factor if colic is to be successfully treated,mouth and some of the liquid may be inhaled into the continued on page 7ArizonaRealCountry.com December 2019 5"