Things to do if your Horse has Colic
Colic is a condition that affects a horse s digestive system. Colic should be treated as an emergency and your vet should be called immediately. Always keep an eye on the slightest changes in your horse s health. If you know your horse s normal pulse, respiratory rate and temperature you will be able to inform your vet on any changes.
If you have horse insurance, your policy may allow you to put in a claim against emergency vet fees so check with your provider to be sure.
Symptoms of Colic include; sweating, elevated pulse rate, and increased breathing rate. If your horse is restless, pawing at the ground or kicking up to the stomach you should call the vet. If they are stretching, rolling or attempting to roll in an agitated manner this could also be signs of colic.
The first thing you should do if you suspect colic is to call your vet. Then remove feed and hay from the horse s area. If the horse is in a large stable or corral or safe area and is rolling and restless just keep an eye on them. Don t try to interfere or calm them down because you or the horse could get seriously injured.
For mild cases of colic the vet may give the horse drugs to relieve pain and to relax the horse. Sometimes in more severe cases if the horse doesn t respond to treatments, surgery may have to be performed.
While you are waiting for the vet you can try to make the horse as calm as possible. You will also want to monitor all of the horse s vital signs to see if there are any changes. Make sure you do not give them anything to eat or drink.
You will also want to check your horse s medical records to see when they were last wormed. Also find out if anything different or unusual was eaten by the horse before the onset of the symptoms.
A large number of colic cases are the result of the horse having worms. That is why it is very important to worm your horse on a regular schedule. Incorrect feeding practices can also cause colic. Another factor that can lead to colic is stress.
If you use prevent measures and make sure your horse is properly fed and wormed regularly you can help prevent colic in your horse. A happy healthy horse will not be likely affect by this painful condition.
Do you have any advice for our readers on keeping their horse or donkey entertained in their stable? Animal Friends Equine Insurance would love to hear what you have to say. Please post your comments below if you would like to share your opinions with other members of AFI's Horse Community. Thank you and enjoy the blogs!
