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Horse DiseasesSUPPLIES
- List of symptoms
- Vet
- Phenylbutazone tablets
- Stomach tube
- Mineral oil
- Laxative
- Antibiotics
Overview
Colic is the medical term used to describe abdominal problems in horses. This can be a case of worms or a serious twisting of an intestine. The first step in helping your horse is to recognize that it has colic. Then you want to get your horse treated as soon as you can.
Step 1
Observe the horse carefully and watch for symptoms. In general, you can expect that a horse suffering from colic will aimlessly walk into fences, roll around on its belly and kick or bite its belly. It may also experience changes in personality, loss of appetite, constipation, groaning and restlessness.
Step 2
Write down the list of symptoms the horse is experiencing and then call your vet right away. Make an appointment for your vet to come out immediately. Severe colic progresses quickly and can be fatal.
Step 3
Try to walk the horse for about 15 minutes but no longer.
Step 4
Allow the vet to examine your horse rectally and abdominally. The vet may give the horse Phenylbutazone tablets for the pain.
Step 5
Allow your vet give your horse a laxative along with some antibiotics. This will clean out the intestines and kill any bacteria present there.
Step 6
Watch or help the vet insert a stomach tube and slowly pour down a gallon of mineral oil. This will clean out the stomach if the horse ate too much or got an impaction.
Step 7
Use surgery as a last resort. Surgery may be needed if the horse has twisted its intestines. Only a licensed vet should perform such a surgery.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Make sure you de-worm your horse and keep its food and water dishes clean at all times to help prevent the colic.
- WARNING : Do not give your horse an enema. It will actually cause your horse to be in even more pain than it already is.
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