The 6 Types of Horse Colic

       So, what is colic? If you read my last post, you might be wondering what exactly happened to Stormy. Well, let me explain. Colic is not actually a diagnosis or a disease, rather, it is the generic term for abdominal pain/sickness in horses. It encompasses all forms of gastrointestinal pain and problems. They are sorted in six categories:

1. Gas accumulation in the intestine

2. Simple obstruction

3. Strangulating obstruction 

4. Non-strangulating infarction 

5. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract or the peritoneum
6. Ulceration of the gastrointestinal mucosa

       

       The first of these (gas accumulation in the intestine) usually occurs when horses have a change of diet or when they get parasites. These things can cause fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract, which causes a buildup of gas, which distends the intestines and causes extreme pain for the horse.
       The second (a simple obstruction) is what our horse, Stormy, had. A simple obstruction occurs when the horse gets either food or foreign bodies lodged in its gastrointestinal tract. When this happens, the horse experiences severe cramps. However, there are worse problems. First, the gastrointestinal tract swells because of the blockage, and causes the blood vessels in the horse's body to tense, which can cause vascular blockage and clotting, which causes the cells and tissue in the horse's body not to get enough blood, which can result in cellular death. One of the ways that a simple obstruction can occur is if (like in Stormy's case) the horse is eating too much hay and it creates an impaction in their bowels, or if the horse is eating to close too the ground, and ingests sand and dirt.
       Ok, the third way that a horse can contract colic is by a strangulating obstruction. This is exactly the same thing as a simple obstruction, but in a strangulating obstruction, the blood supply is immediately affected. Also, a torsion can occur in the intestine, or it can fold up on itself, like a telescope, causing serious problems.
       The fourth type of colic is the non-strangulating infarction. In this type of colic, there is no obstruction in the intestine, but there is still a tensing of blood vessels, and the resulting local cell death. It is most often caused by Strongylus vulgaris larvae in the intestine.
       The next two forms of colic are similar- inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract or the peritoneum. If any kind of inflammation or ulceration on the GI tract occurs (usually due to damage done by stomach acids or their alteration), this can automatically cause digestive problems and swelling.
       These are just a few of the many diverse types of colic. They can happen to any horse, even in the best of situations. Colic is the leading cause of premature death in horses. All horses have anywhere from a four to ten percent chance of contracting colic in their lifetime. So, if you notice that your horse has been rolling in pain, kicking their stomach, or pawing at the ground, you should check them for further signs of colic. You will know for sure that your horse has colic if he has not passed solids in a few hours, is dehydrated (pinch his skin gently, if it stays elevated for more than a few seconds, he is probably dehydrated and has not gotten enough water in his system to loosen his bowels), and is sweating more than usual. If a horse does contract colic, the best choice is either to get the help of an experienced friend or a vet, and give the horse a shot to relax his GI tract. Banamine is a common shot that contains the anti-inflammatory and analgesic Flunixin Meglumine. It is used on horses that have an intestinal blockage to relax their muscles so that they can pass solids. Also, making sure that the horse has fresh water is important. To encourage the horse to drink, you can either give him a mineral block, or (for more critical situations) you can give him feed soaked in water with salt to induce more drinking. Giving the horse a tube of electrolytes also may help the obstruction be thinned and broken down. If all else fails, giving the horse a ride in the trailer can help relax his bowels and loosen any obstructions.
       I hope these tips were helpful to all of you horse lovers! As the weather changes and we are more prone to storms and bad weather, keep on the watch for colic, as it often strikes during weather changes (no one really knows why this is, but this can be the case). Riding your horse often to stay in the know about his physical condition is always important, as is keeping fresh water and pasture space open to your horse, and the more you are with the horse, the more you will be able to find and diagnose abnormalities in his/her behavior.