A PRESENTATION ON

COLIC IN HORSE

For fulfillment of the final

practical examination of
Clinical Conference I (VCC 421)

B.V.Sc. & A.H. 8th Semester

IAAS, Rampur Campus,
Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal

Prepared by: Yuvraj Panth

 Picture source:
http://home.adelphi.edu/~ma20583/Horse.html

Assigned Team:
31. Saurav Shrestha
37. Surya Prasad Dahal
32. Shailesh Sharma Acharya
38. Susan Pyakurel
33. Shankar Prasad Poudel
39. Sushil Airi
34. Shilu Sharma
40. Yagya Adhikari
35. Shiva Khanal
41. Yuvraj Panth
36. Sohan Gupta
 Abstract
3
Colic in Horse
Shrestha S., Acharya S. S., Poudel S. P., Sharma S., Khanal S., Gupta S., Dahal S. P.,
Pyakurel S., Airi S., Adhikari Y., Panth Y
Exam Roll No. (31-41)
B. V. Sc. & A. H. 8th Sem,
Institute of Agriculture & Animal Science, T.U.
Rampur Campus, Chitwan, Nepal.

ABSTRACT
Colic also called as acute abdominal pain is simply a pain of abdomen (belly). One of
the report estimates the incidence of colic at 11% of all horses each year. It is still considered
the first cause of death in adult horses. Out of 100 horses in the general population 4-10 cases
of colic is expected in one year (Tinker MK, Kaneene JB, Traub-Dargatz JL, Hillyer MH: 1997).
Broadly it can be classified as three types i.e, anatomical, aetiological and clinical. Clinical colic
is one of the most important which covers spasmodic, tympanitic, obstructive and impactive
colic cases in horses. The most common signs of colic are pawing repeatedly with a front foot,
looking back at the flank region, curling the upper lip and arching the neck, repeatedly raising a
rear leg or kicking at the abdomen, lying down, rolling from side to side, sweating, stretching
out as if to urinate, straining to defecate, distention of the abdomen, loss of appetite,
depression, and a decreased number of bowel movements The general line of treatment
involves sedatives, antihistaminics, fluid therapy, analgesics and may need surgical corrections
sometimes.
 Outline
4

 Introduction
 Types of Colic in Horse
 Spasmodic
 Tympanitic
 Obstructive
 Impactive
 References
 Introduction:
5

 A painful problem in abdomen (belly)

 Colic is not a disease, but merely a symptom of
disease
 Broadly it can be called as acute abdominal pain
 It has been reported that 920,000 horses will
experience an episode of colic this year, and that
64,000 will face life threatening complications due to
colic. Another report estimates the incidence of colic
at 11% of all horse each year
 While we have made great advances in the
diagnosis and treatment of colic it is still considered
the #1 cause of death in adult horses and the
6

 Out of 100 horses in the general population 4-10

cases of colic is expected in one year (Tinker MK,
Kaneene JB, Traub-Dargatz JL, Hillyer MH: 1997)
 About 10-15% of the colic cases are repeat cases with
some horses having 2-4 colic episodes in a year
(Tinker MK, 1997)
 Studies of colic cases diagnosed in veterinary
practices have reported a predominance of spasmodic
colic. Impactions make up about 10% of cases.
Obstructing or strangulating diseases requiring
surgery make up a from 2-4% of colic cases though
some risk factors in certain populations can increase
this rate(White NA,1990)
 Types of Colic:
7

 Anatomical
 True Colic (pain originating from GI Tract)
 False Colic (pain originating other than GI tract)
 Aetiological
 Physical (presence of physical agent)
 Functional (altered function as a result of some
infection)
 Clinical
 Spasmodic
 Tympanitic
 Obstructive
 Spasmodic colic:
8

Clinical condition when there will be a violent irregular

peristaltic movement due to intestinal hyper motility
and secretion as a consequence to increased
parasympathetic tone
Aetiology:
 Drinking cold water after vigorous exercise,

 Heavy parasitic, ascarid, viral, bacterial infection/

infestation
 Embolism of mesenteric artery

 Soil, mud, etc; poor quality feed

9

Pathogenesis:
 Agent Irritation Stretching of nerve endings
of stomach/ intestinal wall Increase in
parasympathetic tone
10

Clinical findings:
 Sudden acute intense pain

 Pain (spasm) is intermittent with short duration “Bout

of spasm”
 During spasm, animal is restless, kick at abdomen,
roll on the ground, looks at flank region
 Patchy sweating on back, gluteal region, brisket and
hind leg region
 Micturition in lower quantity

 increased temperature, pulse, respiration

 increased thirst, intestinal sound

 Eye's mucus membrane may become congested

 11

Source: http://chestofbooks.com/animals/horses/Health-Disease-Treatment-1/Colic-Or-
Gripes.html
12

Differential diagnosis:
 Enteritis  Hepatic colic
 Intestinal obstruction
 Peritoneal colic
 Renal colic

Line of treatment:
 Analgesics (Eg. Phenylbutazone @ 4.4 mg/kg IV or
Butorphanol @ 0.05-1.0 mg/kg IV or Flunixin @ 1 mg/kg IV
or Ketoprofen @ 2.2 mg/kg IV)
 Spasmolytic drugs ( Parasympatholytic) Eg. Atropine
sulphate @ 0.04 mg/ Kg) body weight or Hyoscine @ 0.5
mg/kg IV
 Sedatives (Xylazine @ 0.2 mg/ Kg bw IM)

 Fluid therapy
 Tympanitic colic
13

Pain is due to distension of any part of GI tract because of

excessive accumulation of gases (due to ingestion of
easily fermentable foodstuffs). Overstretching of bowel
may cause paralysis (paralytic ileus) and lead to more
accumulation of gases
According to location
 Gastric tympany (bovine)

 Intestinal tympany (equine)

According to origin
 Primary (because of excessive gas accumulation due to
fermentable food)
 Secondary ( mechanical obstruction of passage)
14

Pathogenesis:
Fermentation of foods Accumulation of gases
Distension of GI tract Stretching of nerve fibre
of intestinal muscle Stimulate autonomic plexus
Violent peristalsis
• In primary condition pain is periodic,

• In secondary condition, pain is more or less

continuous
• In later stages: atony of gut water and
electrolyte imbalance systemic acidosis
15

Clinical Findings
 Extreme pain (sudden or continuous)

 Distension of abdomen either left or right

 Tympanitic sound on percussion

 Small amount of faeces may be voided

 Increased pulse, respiration, blood pressure,

 Congested visible mucus membrane

 Dyspnoea

 Hyperperistalsis followed by atony

 Anorexia and dehydration

 Oliguria or anuria (painful micturition pose)

 Increased BUN level due to intestinal gangrene

16

Diagnosis:
 Primary tympany: history of food, occasional flatus,
passage of faeces
 Secondary tympany: intense pain, complete stoppage of
flatus, “Ping” sound on ascultation over caecum
Line of treatment:
 Symptomatic Treatment: Sedative, Analgesic

 Curative Treatment: mineral oil, ½ to 2 liter orally,

cholinergic drug (Neostigmine @ 2 mg/ 50 Kg) to
increase intestinal motility
 Prophylactic Treatment: no food and water for 24 hours,
avoid fermentable foods, proper exercise regularly
 Secondary tympany: surgical intervention
 Obstructive colic
17

Obstruction of any part of GI tract

Aetiology:
 Enterolith

 Indigestible/ coarse grasses

 Heavy concentrate ration without water

Classification:
 Volvulus (twisting of intestinal loop because of violent
movement of intestine)
 Intussusception (telescoping due to violent irregular
peristalsis)
 Strangulation (mechanical obstruction in hernia or
rupture of mesentery due to verminous aneurism)
18

Pathogenesis:
Complete obstruction of passage Impairment of
defecation Verminous aneurism Blood clot in
mesenteric blood vessels Less supply of blood to
intestine Subsequent gangrenous changes of intestine
Toxaemia Death
Line of treatment:
 Surgical

 Symptomatic (fluid therapy, analgesics)

Diagnosis:
Picture Source:
 By post mortem http://chestofbooks.com/animals/horses/Health-Dise
Treatment-1/Colic-Or-Gripes.html
 Impactive colic
19

They can possibly be 3 types:

 Gastric impaction

 Impaction of ileo-caecal valve

 Impaction of large intestine

20

A. Gastric Impaction:
 Characterized by dilatation of stomach with food
or indigestible materials ultimately leading to atony
of musculature of stomach
Aetiology:
 Overloading of stomach by straw or grain

 Sudden change in feedstuffs

 Decreased gastric motility

 Pyloric stenosis or obstruction of small intestine

21

Pathogenesis:
a) Acute gastric impaction:
Dilation of stomach Increased gastric secretion
which stimulates the motility of stomach leading to
precipitation of pain Vomition may occur Sign of
dehydration Metabolic alkalosis due to loss of HCl in
stomach Lactic acid may take place due to grain
engorgement
b) Chronic gastric impaction
Decreased motility of stomach Disturbance of
digestion Less severe pain, less possibility of vascular
22

Clinical Findings
1. Acute
 Sudden colic symptoms

 Projectile vomition; dyspnoea

 Increased pulse rate, blood pressure

 Shrunken eyes and dry muzzle

Picture Source:
 Depression of CV system http://www.mbmvetgroup.co.uk/equi
 Laminitis due to histamine production
ne-horse-colic.html

 Inappetence to anorexia

2. Chronic: occasional vomiting and subacute colic pain

Clinical pathology: Examination of stomach fluid for pH and
USG
23

Differential diagnosis:
 Gastritis

 Enteritis

 Intestinal obstruction

Diagnosis: confirmed by plain and contrast radiography

Line of Treatment:
 Emptying of stomach contents (Gastric lavage, etc)

 Lubricant, fluid therapy

 Antihistamine

 Gastrostomy

 Laxative food
24

B. Ileo-Caecal valve impaction:

 Usually fatal

Aetiology:
 Long continued intake of indigestible roughage

 Altered food, exercise schedule changed

(predisposing)
Pathogenesis:
Accumulation of indigestible finely chopped straw or
poor quality feedstuffs in Ileo-caecal valve Complete
obstruction
25

Clinical findings:
 Mild continuous pain

 Normal colic symptoms

 Alkaline vomitus Picture Source:

http://thearabianmagazineonline.com/issue/m
 Severe depression ay-2012-the-black-arabian-
edition/article/health-colic
 Electrolytes imbalance and acidosis

 Death due to vascular shock (within 36-48 hours)

Clinical pathology: assay of gastric and intestinal

content for pH
Line of Treatment: Fluid therapy, surgical removal,
Purgatives (MgSO4, Liquid Paraffin)
26

C. Impaction of large intestine:

Aetiology:
 Predisposing factors: obesed animal, senility,

intestinal muscle weakness, greedy feeding.

 Dietary factors: low grade indigestible roughage, low

water feed, increased concentrate

 Miscellaneous: Enterolith, Verminous aneurism

(Strongylus), Encephalitis (Rectal Paralysis)

27

Pathogenesis:
Absence of peristalsis as pressure receptors
become insensitive to normal stimuli Abdominal
pain Distension of abdomen with faecal mass
Electrolyte imbalance Toxaemia and death
28

Clinical findings:
 Low grade pain (stretching out and lying down)

 Electrolyte imbalance and dehydration

 Enlarged abdomen with doughy consistency

 Increased pulse rate

 Temperature and respiration normal

 Sweating, constipation

 Anorexia, thirst

 Constant effort to urinate

 Rectal examination is positive (impacted fecal

mass)
29

Line of treatment:
 Purgatives

 Spasmolytics and analgesics

 Sedative

 Dextrose saline
30 Colic
Parameters Spasmodic Tympanitic Impactive Obstructive
Pain Intermittent Continuous Continuous Continuous
Temperature Normal Slight Rise Slight Rise Slight Rise
Respiration Increased Increased Increased Increased
- Dyspnoea Dyspnoea Dyspnoea
Pulse rate Increased Increased Increased Increased
Visible mucus Not much altered Congested Congested Congested
Abdominal Absent Marked Present but not Marked
distension marked

Sweating Only patchy Evident Evident Generalized

Feces No No No No
Muscular tremor Absent May occur May occur May occur
Vomition/ Absent Present Frequent Absent
Regurgition

Intestinal sound Present Present Absent Usually absent

Rectal examination Absent Absent Usually absent present
 References:
31

 Radostits O.M., C.C. Gay, K.W. Hinchcliff, P.D. Constable,

2007, Veterinary Medicine, London: Saunders Co., 10th ed.
 Chakrabarti A., 2014, Textbook of Clinical Veterinary
Medicine, Kalyani Publishers, 2nd ed.
 Nathaniel A., 2005,Prevalence, Demographics, and Risk
Factors for Colic , Marion Dupont Scott Equine Medical
Center, Virginia
 Overview of colic in horse, The Merck’s Veterinary Manual.
Retrieved May 26, 2016 from
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/digestive_system/colic
_in_horses/overview_of_colic_in_horses.html
 Horse colic, Wikipedia, Retrieved May 26, 2016 from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_colic
 Understanding Colic, Retrieved May 25, 2016 from
http://www.jaxequine.com/
32

Source: http://chestofbooks.com/animals/horses/Health-Disease-Treatment-1/Colic-Or-
Gripes.html

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