b'Vet continued from page 5Insert anything (your hand, a hose, or any other kind ofTreatmenttube or device) into the horse\'s rectum. The rectum is easilyTreatment of colic depends on its severity and on the likely damaged, and rectal tears can be fatal. Also, intestinalcause. Treatment options include the following:blockages generally cannot be relieved simply by removing Pain-relievers (analgesics) or sedatives to relieve pain manure from the horse\'s rectum or giving the horse anwhile intestinal function returns to normal or further enema. Rectal exams are necessary for the veterinarian totreatment is institutedidentify abnormalities in the horses abdomen by indirect Fluid therapy, either by nasogastric tube or intravenous palpation of the organs, and it is not a therapy to removeinfusion, to correct dehydration and soften dry, firm impactions. It takes a very well-trained veterinarian tointestinal contentsproperly identify those problems without hurting the Laxatives, such as mineral oil, to help reestablish normal animal, and a properly restrained, quiet horse. intestinal function Give any intravenous injections. Even with practice, every Enema for young foals with a blockage (impaction) caused intravenous injection carries some risk. If medication isby retained meconium (the first manure produced by a inadvertently administered into the external carotid arterynewborn foal)instead of the external jugular vein, it can be fatal to the horse.Surgery (usually with the horse under general anesthesia)Portrait ArtistWhen your horse has colic, it can be reassuring to Art FaschanNote: Home remedies such as castor oil, kerosene, andremember that most cases of colic resolve with simple turpentine are useless for colic and are dangerous; theymedical treatment (analgesics and either fluids or laxatives).will create ashould never be given orally to horses. Over-the-counterNote: If your horse is insured, contact the insurance graphite paintingremedies that contain belladonna extract (e.g. Dr. Bell\'s)company immediately if surgery seems likely or if from your photos! should also be avoided. They may relieve mild, spasmodiceuthanasia is a possibility.(crampy) colic, but overuse or use in horses with more serious types of colic can be disastrous. Preventing ColicColic is a problem with many potential causes and Colic is not a disease; it is contributing factors, some of which are beyond our control. merely a symptom of disease.However, management plays a key role in most cases of colic, so colic prevention centers on management. Although not Specifically, colic indicates a painfulevery case of colic is avoidable, the following guidelines can maximize your horse\'s health and reduce the risk of colic:problem in the horse\'s abdomen. Establish a set daily routineincluding feeding, exercise, Art Faschan and turnout schedulesand stick to it (even on weekends). Evaluating the ProblemFeed a high-quality diet comprised primarily of high-/artfaschan Your veterinarian may use a variety of procedures toquality roughage (pasture, hay, hay cubes, haylage). Except determine the type and severity of the colic and devise anfor young foals, all horses should be fed at least one percent appropriate treatment plan. Procedures include the following: of their body weight (or one pound per 100-pound body Call 727-919-3661 Accurate history (including feeding and dewormingweight) of good-quality roughage per day. It is important or email Art atprograms, medical problems, vaccination schedule, etc.) to feed good-quality hay and avoid abrupt changes to new drawhide42@gmail.com for sizes and price quote.Review of your observations and evaluation of the varieties or batches of hay. This can be accomplished by horse\'s behavior slowly incorporating new varieties or batches of hay whenComplete physical examination (including vital signs andrequired. Avoid moldy or poor-quality hay.presence and quality of intestinal sounds)Limit the amount of grain-based feeds (grain in any form,Rectal palpation, looking for evidence of intestinalsweet feed, pellets in which the main ingredients are grains). blockage, distention, displacement, or other abnormalities.*Feed these only as a supplement, and not more than 50Passage of a nasogastric (stomach) tube to identify thepercent of the diet.presence of excess gas or fluid in the stomach (and to relieve Divide the daily concentrate ration into two or more smaller the pressure if the stomach is distended).* feedings, rather than one large one, to avoid overloading theCollection of fluid from the abdominal cavity (peritonealhorse\'s digestive tract. Hay is best fed free-choice.or "belly" tap) and analysis for abnormalities which might Set up a regular parasite control program with the helpindicate a compromise of the bowel wall or infection* of your veterinarian. Use fecal examination to determine Blood tests, looking for evidence of dehydration,its effectiveness. electrolyte or metabolic abnormalities, or infection* Provide exercise and/or turnout every day.Evaluation of the response to treatment* Make any changes to diet, housing, and activitylevel gradually. These techniques may not be performed in every case. Provide fresh, clean water at all times. For example, the veterinarian may decide that they are Avoid giving your horse medications unless they are unnecessary in a case of mild colic, or that they are unsafeprescribed by your veterinarian. in a particular situation.Check hay, bedding, pasture, and environment for potentially toxic substances, such as blister beetles, noxious Classifying Colic weeds, and other ingestible foreign matter. Determining the type of colic is important in deciding how Avoid putting feed on the ground, especially in sandy soils. best to treat the horse. Even though there are myriad causes Reduce stress; horses experiencing changes in environment of colic, most cases fall into one of three groups: or workloads are at high risk for intestinal dysfunction.Intestinal Dysfunction. This is the most common Pay special attention to animals when transporting them category and simply means that the horse\'s bowels areor changing their surroundings, such as at shows. not working properly. It includes such things as spasms Observe foaling mares pre- and post-foaling for any signs (disordered motility), gas distention, impaction, andof colic.decreased motility (ileus). These types of problems usually Pay particular attention to horses that have hadrespond well to medical treatment. previous bouts of colic, as they may be at greater risk forIntestinal Displacements. These occur less frequentlyrepeated episodes. and include displacements, twists (torsion, volvulus), and Maintain accurate records of management, feeding entrapment of a section of the intestine in a tight space.practices, and health.Some horses seem anatomically predisposed to such problems. Intestinal displacements will potentially requireSummarysurgical correction if medical treatment is unsuccessful.The key to minimizing the incidence of colic is goodInflammation or Ulceration. These problems are namedmanagement. The key to minimizing the impact of colic (i.e. according to the bowel segment involved; e.g. gastritisincreasing the chances of a good outcome) is to identify the (stomach), enteritis (small intestine), and colitis (largeproblem early and call your veterinarian immediately. Treat intestine). They can be caused by numerous factors,every incident of colic as potentially serious and involve including stress, medications, infection, and parasites.your veterinarian from the outset; try never to jeopardize Medical treatment is generally required. your horse\'s health for the sake of a few dollars. 6 December 2023'