Types Of Colic
o Feeding large amounts
o Gaseous: gas formation in the
digestive tract
o Impaction: blockage of the
intestine
o Spasmodic: severe contraction
of intestine
o Intestinal Accidents: twists,
hernia, etc.
Causes Of Gaseous Colic
o Over Ingestion of Feed
o Too much grain
o Too much lush green grass
o Greedy Eating (gaseous or
impaction)
o Moldy or Spoiled Hay
o Moldy or Spoiled Feed
Causes Of Impaction Colic
o Low Quality Indigestible
Roughage
o Sand and/or Other Foreign
Objects
o Improper Chewing (due to
lack of tooth care)
o Greedy Eating (can be
impaction or gaseous)
o Lack of Water
o Lack of effective regular
deworming
Causes Of Spasmodic Colic
infrequently
o Too much water given to hot
horse
o Irregular exercise
o Stress
Treatment Of Colic
o Usually considered a veterinary
emergency
o Treatment is dependent on type
of colic
o Pain killers (provide comfort)
o Mineral oil (ease of movement,
relieve pressure)
o Rehydration
o Surgery
Colic: Preventative Measures
o Free Choice High Quality
Water
o High-quality = cool, clear, and
clean
o Except immediately after work
o Adequate Regular Exercise
o Daily exercise, if confined
o Proper Health Care
o Keep all vaccinations current
o Regular dental examinations
o Follow deworming guidelines
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Colic: Preventative Measures
High Quality Feedstuffs
o No mold or dust
o No fines or finely ground
feeds
Adequate Forage
o No mold or dust
o High-quality & digestible
forage/hay = fewer
stems, more leaves
o Daily, a minimum of 1%
of horse’s body weight in
forage or hay
Sound Feeding Management
o Feed horses individually
o Feed horses at regular
intervals
o Feed up off the ground in
feeders
o Spread grain out in a
shallow feeder
o Split into 2 or more
feedings if grain exceeds
5% of body weight
Related/Similar Diseases
o Laminitis (Founder): can be
caused by over ingestion of
soluble carbohydrates
o Tying Up; Azoturia: can be
caused by over ingestion of
soluble carbohydrates when
workload is reduced
Colic: In Review
o Pain in the abdomen
o Colic can be mild or life-
threatening
o Can be caused by lack of
parasite control, poor feeding
management, lack of proper
health care
o Management causes are largely
preventable
Equine Diseases: Summary
o Prevention
o Control
o Cure
M.Farrukh Hafeez
06-arid-239
Zeeshan Afzal
06-arid-263
DVM
FV&AS
PMAS UNIVERSITY OF ARID AGRICULTURE
RAWALPINDI
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