Colic First-Aid: A Cheat-Sheet for You to Keep on Hand

Colic--a general term for gut pain in the horse--is the number one killer in the equine world. It has many causes, from gas in the digestive tract, to obstructions and feed compactions, to bowel twists, strangulating tumors, ruptures and other issues.

When you first suspect a bout of colic, you can't just eyeball your horse and know whether the problem is mild enough to handle on your own, or serious enough to need veterinary intervention or hospitalization.

But you can be smart about how you proceed, and about how quickly you get your vet involved, even if just on the phone to start with. The longer you wait on this point, the more your horse can deteriorate, the closer you can get to a true (and even more expensive) after-hours emergency,  and the more critical mistakes you can make on your own.

 

Here's a plan that may help you overcome the "oh god, what do I do?!" panic that can set in when you find a colicking horse:

* Note the time and initial symptoms observed. Jot this information down (I use a pocket notebook); it's the start of your set of colic notes a vet may need.

* Contain the horse in a clean stall or pen for observation. If you start with clean bedding, you'll be able to take note of whether the horse has urinated or passed manure. What comes out--or doesn't--is an important symptom. Collect and set any freshly dropped manure aside, for possible evaluation.

* Leave a water source in the observation area, but remove all feed. If the colic is due to an obstruction, you don't want MORE feed jamming up behind it. Do not try to "fix" the colic by giving mashes or other feeds.

* Take and record the horse's vital signs: temperature, respiration, heart rate, gum color, capillary refill time. Every horse owner needs to know how to do this; learn how now, before you're in a crisis. Download and print out this vital-signs chart, to have on hand. If the horse is chilled, with a lower-than-normal temperature, blanket him to help conserve body heat.

* Call your vet to report the colic and the horse's vital signs. Then follow his/her advice on what to do next. Don't administer medication, such as Banamine, unless the vet gives you the go-ahead to do so--meds can mask symptoms and lead to later problems.

* Get ready to continue observing. I keep copies of this awesome little vital-signs chart in my "doc-box" vet kit, because it indicates when a change in vitals indicates worsening internal problems. Whether  the vet makes an immediate farm call or not, plan to continue taking vital signs at regular intervals (at least once per hour); keep an eye out for any eliminations, noting consistency changes, and saving the material; record unusual behaviors (such as "dog-sitting," or resting on the haunches; repeatedly dropping to knees only, without going all the way down; kicking or biting at flank; grinding teeth; attempts at rolling; etc.).

* Should you walk the horse? Also get the vet's input on this, as the horse may be just as well off to be allowed to rest. Panicked owners, not knowing what else to do, have a tendency to keep colicked horses up and walking to the point of doing more harm than good. You don't want to deplete the energy stores your horse may ultimately need for survival.

* Be prepared for transport. Many colics can be treated successfully with well-timed veterinary intervention, but not all can be managed successfully "in the field." If a haul-out is called for, you want a reliable rig standing by, fueled up and ready to roll. When a horse is sick enough to need a trip to town, he's sick enough for every 30 minutes to count.

* Roust the cavalry, e.g. friends or family members who can jump in and lend you a hand. Extra hands are always helpful, and 'nuff said about the need for moral support.