b"Arizona Ask the VetREAL COUNTRY COLICthe magazine C olic is the number-If it is already dark or approaching nightfall, arrange one killer of horses.for some lighting so that you (and, if necessary, your The good news is thatveterinarian) can examine the horse properly.Mike Barna most cases of colic are mild Allow the horse to rest if it simply wants to stand or lie and resolve with simple medicalquietly; walk the horse around if it is continually rolling Publisher treatment, and sometimes with no specific treatmentor in danger of hurting itself but do not tire the horse ArizonaRealCountryMagazine@gmail.com at all. Less than ten percent of all colic cases are severewith relentless walking.enough to require surgery or cause the death of the horse. Nevertheless, every case of colic should be takenKeep the horse under close observation until the signs of Erika Smith Royal seriously because it can be difficult to tell the mild onescolic resolve or the veterinarian arrives.Editor from the potentially serious ones in the early stages.*Alert your veterinarian from the outset that your horse erika963realcountry@gmail.com Colic is not a disease; it is merely a symptom ofis suffering from colic. The veterinarian may not need to disease. Specifically, colic indicates a painful problemcome out and examine the horse immediately if the colic Misty Voitovski in the horse's abdomen. There are dozens of differentsigns are mild, but leave that decision to the veterinarian. conditions that can cause a horse to show signs ofWhen you call, be prepared to provide as much of the Creative Director abdominal pain. Most (but not all) involve the digestivefollowing information as possible:system, most often the stomach or intestines.Contributing Writers Specific Signs of Colic, and Their SeverityRecognizing ColicPulse or heart rate (beats per minute), measured over Lee AndersonBob Boze Bell Horses show signs of abdominal pain in a wide varietythe heart (just behind or above the left elbow) or over an of ways. Some signs, such as curling the upper lip areartery (e.g. at the sides of the fetlock or on the underside Bridgette CrosbyPete Flores subtle and easily overlooked, whereas other signs, such asof the lower jaw)Shanna GrossmanJustin Legler repeated rolling or violent thrashing, are hard to mistake. Respiratory rate (breaths per minute), measured by Among the more common signs of colic are these: watching the rise and fall of the flank with each breathBetsy LemaireNaomi LoomisTurning the head toward the flankRectal temperatureDodge MarshallRandy Miller PawingColor of the gums (white, pale pink, dark pink, red orKicking or biting at the belly bluish-purple)Jim & Bobbi Jeen Olson Stretching out as if to urinate, without doing soMoistness of the gums (moist, tacky, or dry)Bill RobertsAlan RockmanRepeatedly lying down and getting up, or attemptingRefill time for gum color (the time it takes for the color to do so to return to the horse's gum after you briefly press on the John SamsillMackenzie StanfordRepeated rolling, often with grunting sounds gum with your thumb; normal is one to two seconds)Jolene WesterlingMichele WilsonSitting in a dog-like position, or lying on the backDigestive sounds (if any) Holding the head in an unusual position, e.g. with the Bowel movements, including color, consistency, and neck stretched out and the head rotated to one side frequency Leaving food or being completely disinterested in foodAny recent changes in management, feeding, or exercise801 W. Wickenburg WayPutting the head down to water without drinkingMedical history, including deworming and any past Wickenburg, AZ 85390Lack of bowel movements or fewer bowel movementsepisodes of colicthan normalBreeding history and pregnancy status if the patient is a (602) 254-6644Reduced or absent digestive sounds mare, and recent breeding history if the patient is a stallion Inappropriate sweating (e.g. unrelated to hot weatherInsurance status of the horseArizonaRealCountry.com or exercise) Rapid breathing and/or flared nostrils After evaluating this information, your veterinarian Elevated pulse rate (greater than 50 beats per minute) will advise you on the appropriate course of action.Depression Follow your veterinarian's advice exactly. Do notLip curling unrelated to sexual interest administer any drugs to the horse unless specifically directed to do so by your veterinarian. Sedative or pain-Usually, a horse shows only a few of these signs during anrelieving drugs can camouflage serious problems and episode of colic. Seeing any of these signs should promptinterfere with accurate diagnosis.Follow Arizona Realyou to take a closer look and keep a watchful eye on the horse. In general, the more obvious the signs of pain, theThings to AvoidCountry for news, events,more serious the problem is. Also, in horses with seriousUnless you have the necessary training, equipment, and conditions, the signs of pain usually persist and may evenexperience, do not attempt to do any of the following:giveaways and more! worsen with time, whereas in horses with mild colic, thePass any kind of tube into the horse's stomach. It is very signs of pain may be intermittent or may disappear aftereasy to damage the horse's nasal passages, throat, or a short time. esophagus with improper equipment or technique. Also, Arizona Real Country is owned andthe tube passes more readily into the trachea (windpipe) published by Barna BroadcastingTake Immediate Action than into the esophagus, potentially damaging the While some cases of colic resolve without medical care, atrachea. Any liquid poured down the tube will be LLC. No person, organization or partysignificant percentage of horses with colic require medicaldelivered directly into the horse's lungs, which can easily can copy or reproduce the contenttreatment. Time is perhaps the most critical factor if colicresult in the death of the horse by suffocation.on our website and/or magazine oris to be successfully treated, particularly if the horse has a any part of this publication withoutcondition that requires emergency surgery. Give the horse any substance by mouth, particularly a written consent from the editorsliquids. Most horses resist swallowing liquids given by If you suspect your horse is suffering from colic, themouth and some of the liquid may be inhaled into the panel and the author of the content, asfollowing action plan is suggested: horse's lungs. Mineral oil is particularly harmful when applicable. The publisher, authors and Call your veterinarian immediately.* inhaled. Horses can easily choke when liquids are forced contributors reserve their rights with Remove all hay and grain from the horse'sinto the mouth due to their particular anatomy. If the regards to copyright of their work. surroundings, but leave the horse some water. animal does not want to drink, it may be due to a fullIf necessary, move the horse to a small enclosure stomach caused by a massive obstruction in which case (e.g. a stall or yard) so you can watch it more closely. adding more content can make the stomach rupture, resulting in the horses death. continued on page 6ArizonaRealCountry.com December 2023 5"