Colic in Horses: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Treat It

by Angela Vuckovic

Updated: November 6th, 2022 Published: October 21st, 2022

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Colic is a frequent ailment in horses. In general, the term colic refers to any abdominal pains, but most commonly those affecting the gastrointestinal tract. If you are a horse owner, old or new, you are bound to come across this health problem in your horse sooner or later. But it should not be the cause of too much worry, as colic is treatable and is relatively common. Understanding what causes it, its symptoms, and how best to prevent it, will help your horse immensely as you’ll be able to react on time.

Colic commonly refers to the issues a horse may suffer with its gastrointestinal tract. The microflora within a horse’s GI tract is unique and can be sensitive to a variety of things, and it is important to remember that colic can result from many things. One of the more common causes of colic in horses is moldy or dirty feed. If the food you are giving to a horse is tainted in any way, it can lead to colic and the build-up of gas within the GI tract. Always make sure that the feed is stored in a clean and secure place, elevated, and given within an elevated feeding through. Other common causes of colic are high grain diets, a sudden and radical change in feeding, not enough water consumed, ingestion of sand or dust, or a parasite infestation. Interestingly, some antibiotics can also create colic, in the case that they alter the microflora of the horse’s gut. This can affect digestion and cause issues.

As you can see, colic mainly comes about from feed and feeding issues. Insufficiently chewed food due to dental pains can cause colic, as can a feed of very coarse hay. Overfeeding, of course, will cause colic and bloat as well. In order to be able to react quickly and fix this issue, you will need to look out for the common signs of colic. One of the usual signs is rolling: if it is done often and in uncommon situations, it can be a way for your horse to relieve discomfort due to colic. Pawing the ground is another sign, as is sweating, apathy, loss of appetite, bloated stomach, general distress, anxiety, or a weird posture. If you spot any of these uncommon behaviors, it could be your sign to talk to a vet.

Together with the veterinarian, you should go over the possible causes of the appearance of colic. Could it be some tainted feed? A dental issue? Or overfeeding? In order for the ailment to be treated correctly, you’ll have to get a good idea of its causes. Depending on the result, the vet will administer appropriate medication, which will hopefully treat the colic. Some more extreme cases of colic that cause gut impaction (blockage) and similar issues, might require urgent surgery.

Of course, there are steps all responsible horse owners can take in order to prevent the onset of colic and to keep their horses healthy as ever. If the colic appeared and has been solved, then fix the mistakes that caused it. Otherwise, you should stick to the basic rules of equine care. Don’t change your horse’s feed abruptly and radically. If you have to change it, do so slowly and over time. Also, keep a regular feeding schedule, feed portions according to weight and energy spent, and provide clean and fresh feed at all times. The same goes for water, which should always be fresh and clean. The feeding and drinking places should ideally be elevated so as to not be contaminated by dirt or mold, and you shouldn’t feed your horse off the ground. Also, make sure that your horse has a chance to exercise and spend some energy. It helps with digestion and many other things. And last – but certainly not least – ensure your horse gets regular vet checkups.

Taking care of all these things and following all the crucial steps can help keep colic at bay and your horse happy and healthy. It is, after all, a major responsibility to care for such a magnificent and powerful animal.

Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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How Often Should I Feed My Fish?

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Canada’s recent discovery of hundreds of tiny unmarked graves attributed to the residential school system has created not only cross-country outrage but also a determination to locate and repatriate the remains of all children who left home to attend these schools but never returned.Within a few weeks, the number of unmarked graves throughout Canada had quickly grown to over 10,000 and the ability to locate and identify additional sites (that would date back decades), had become almost impossible. Particularly since many of the schools had since been razed and pinpointing potential burial areas leaned heavily toward guesswork.The search had to be done respectfully – meaning without the use of large, excavation equipment – however, the need to cover a vast range of land in a timely manner was a challenge.That’s when the search teams decided to bring in the dogs.Part of the Ottawa Valley Search and Rescue Dog Association, German Shepherds, Recce and Taz are proficient in detecting older, archeological remains with drill work that has included using older cemeteries as their training ground. In fact, Historic Human Remains Detection Dogs have been used throughout North America and Europe to identify human remains in archaeological sites that date back hundreds of years… and longer. These dogs can pick up on the much lower scent levels that come from teeth and bones found in ancient graves… and some are even explicitly trained to detect cremated remains where no bones or teeth remain.This switch from bulldozers to the canine duo is a change welcomed by the area’s former residential school students who feel that because dogs have always been part of the Indigenous culture, they offer a natural, more appropriate approach to finding the missing children.According to Archaeology Professor Adrian Burke, dogs make a great option because they are non-invasive. Although it’s not an exact science – they can’t pinpoint an individual grave - they can hone in on a location and this saves time and the need for random digging. Once dogs flag a site, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is used to confirm what lies beneath.By adding Recce and Taz to the search teams, it’s estimated the time needed to cover a couple of acres can be reduced from a few weeks to just a couple of days.While the process is still slow and time-consuming, Indigenous residents confirm it’s about the children’s families understanding what happened to their little ones, being able to bring them home for appropriate burial, and ultimately experiencing a sense of closure and justice.

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What to Do If Your Dog Ingested Something They Shouldn't?

It’s no secret dogs are nosy – especially when they suspect food is involved. They’ll have no problem jumping on the counter, digging through trash, or “sneakily” stealing stuff off your coffee table if given a chance. Not only that this type of behavior can be really irritating for the owner, but it is also downright dangerous. Dogs can easily swallow something that could cause serious health issues – a tiny object that can cause choking, a hazardous chemical, or some human food that is poisonous to them. In either of these cases, the owner should be prepared and alert as acting quickly is crucial when your pet eats something that they shouldn’t have. But what exactly do you need to do if this happens? What is the course of action to help a dog who ingested something they simply should not? Let’s go over it.What to Do If Your Dog Ingested Something They Shouldn't: Step By Step ExplainedIf your dog has ingested something they shouldn't have, it's important to act quickly. Every second counts in this case so don’t panic even if that’s your first instinct. Going into panic mode never helps and can only make things worse. Instead, try to assess the situation and figure out what has been ingested so you can act accordingly. Here are some general guidelines to follow, but keep in mind that you should always consult with your veterinarian for advice tailored to your specific situation.It is imperative to stay calm. It's understandable to feel scared and panicked, but it's crucial to stay composed. Panicking can make it difficult to think clearly and take appropriate action. Take a deep breath, strengthen your resolve and act.Always try to identify the substance or item ingested, if it’s possible to do so very quickly. This information can be helpful for your veterinarian to provide accurate advice. Do you notice any small objects missing? Any open containers or something similar? Quickly try to find the clues.It goes without saying that it is always crucial to call your veterinarian immediately. Provide them with details about what your dog ingested, the amount, and any symptoms your dog is experiencing. After all, they are professionals who know how to deal with these situations in an efficient manner and will give you the guidelines suited to your situation.Keep in mind not to induce vomiting. Inducing vomiting can be dangerous in some situations and should only be done under the guidance of a veterinarian. Certain substances or items can cause more harm if brought back up. Unless instructed otherwise, don’t do it.Disperse with the panic and fears, and follow the advice of your veterinarian to the letter. Your veterinarian will provide specific instructions based on the substance ingested. Follow their advice carefully, whether it involves inducing vomiting, administering activated charcoal, or other measures.It is important to monitor your dog and their behavior. Keep a close eye on them for any changes in behavior, signs of distress, or dangerous symptoms. Be prepared to provide this information to your veterinarian. Sometimes, nothing will show at first, but could later on. In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend immediate action, such as going to an emergency veterinary clinic. Follow their advice promptly, or if you see that your dog is in danger, do so as fast as possible.

Pregnant Dog Saved from Shipping Container by U.S. Coast Guard

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston got a big surprise when they found a dog trapped inside a shipping container. While inspecting the containers, Lucas Loe, Bryan Wainscott, Jose Reyes, and Ryan McMahon heard scratching and barking coming from inside one of them. After bringing the container down to ground level—it had been roughly 25 feet up—they opened it to find an adorable dog desperate to get out.A Dog Rescued Against All OddsThe poor dog had been stuck in that container, which had junked vehicles and was set to be shipped overseas, for at least eight days without any food or water. How she got in there in the first place is a mystery, but they think she might’ve been in one of the cars that was put in the container.What makes this story even more incredible is the fact that there were thousands of shipping containers along with the one that the friendly dog was trapped in, so she’s very lucky that the inspectors heard her and rescued her in time. They named her Connie, and her story quickly went viral. She’s even referred to as Connie the Container Dog. A video posted on Facebook shows her rescue.According to a U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Facebook post, Connie was thrilled and grateful to be free, but she was also tired and hungry. She was taken to Pasadena Animal Shelter to be examined before being flown to Forever Changed Animal Rescue (FCAR) in the Washington, D.C. metro area. She was diagnosed with heartworm and was found to be underweight.A New Discovery: Connie the Container Dog Is PregnantAfter her rescuers noticed that Connie’s mammary glands were swollen, they worried that she’d given birth to and lost her puppies while she was trapped in the container. But an ultrasound revealed that she is indeed pregnant.Once she’s healed and ready to be adopted, Connie will be looking for a forever home. And her puppies will also be looking for homes once they’re old enough. In the meantime, she’ll stay with a veterinarian who will keep a close eye on her and make sure that she and her puppies are doing well.To keep up with Connie’s journey, you can follow FCAR’s Facebook page.You can also watch this video to see Connie and her rescuers:

Can Cats Get Frostbite?

When a cat is exposed to extremely cold conditions, they are at risk of frostbite, which may require professional veterinary care. But what is frostbite, what puts a cat at risk of frostbite, and what can be done to treat it? Here’s a short guide to help you better understand this condition and keep your cat safe.

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