anyone got experience with spasmodic colic?

[sophiebailey]

Hi everyone, as per title ^

Bailey was poorly all throughout Tuesday, vet attended twice and diagnosed spasmodic colic. He had painkillers + buscopan and she warned that with spasmodic colics, as the gas is moving about for a few days afterwards, they can be 'uncomfortable' for 3-4 days.

So it's been 2 days since the onset of the colic and although he's a lot perkier, he's still showing a few signs of discomfort. These are very mild (and I sometimes wonder if I exxagerate them because I'm watching so intently) and consist of
- him standing looking a bit miserable, pulling the face he usually does when he's snoozing but wincing every now and then
- belly is visibly twitching (not like when flies are biting twitching, more of an internal twitch if that makes sense)
- walking around his box with his nose to the floor not showing an interest in looking over his door
- shifting the weight on his back legs every 20-30s or so
- he's got quite a loud belly at the moment (gurgling)

He's pooing fine, drinking fine, is happier when turned out but still a little bit 'moochy' like he doesn't really know what to do with himself.

I saw him use his back leg to kick the underside of his belly once earlier but he did have his willy out at the time and I wasn't sure if he was kicking the flies away as he usually does.

So BASICALLY my question is; how long after a bout of spasmodic colic was it before your horse started to act normally again? I'm concerned about these small signs of discomfort but they only seem to occur when he's brought in off his grazing to rest his tummy for half an hour.

If he's still showing them this evening I might call the vet for further advice, even though she said give him 3-4 days for his belly to settle I'm still quite worried

Any advice/answers greatly appreciated, I just want to see my little man feeling himself again

 

[mudmonkey17]

Mine had this a couple of months ago. Had vet out 2 days running for pain relief and buscopan. They advised restricting hard feed and grass for a few days and then reintroduce it slowly. I started with half hour turnout etc and then built it up over a week or so. He had few days off work, would say was about a week before he was back to his usual self.

Hope yours is ok soon x

 

[staceyn]

Mine had it for a couple of days she did some injection can't think what now just a anti spasmodic and all was well took about a week or so for him to be his naughty self

 

[racebuddy]

Hi not gd that still showing signs of discomfort if it is just spasmidic colic they usually can settle quite quickly with medication but sometimes flare back up again I think if in any doubt always call ur vet for advice especially I'd not settling down I have know surgical colucs be very quiet and not really showing great symptoms to horses that have thrashed around my own horses suffers with reaccurant colic and it is the subtle signs ie box walking not settling that u notice first move had a bad bout of colic a few weeks ago and nearly lost him how is he is now didn't know if this helps u any x

 

[Sarah_K]

My old horse used to go through bouts of spasmodic colic regularly. I know it's difficult when you're watching them like a hawk and thinking every movement could be it returning. Finally worked out her's was caused by her being a greedy swine and eating unripe apples from the trees that overhung the field. Used to call for the vet, she'd have a shot of Buscopan and stay in for the rest of the day. Was usually fine the way she acted the next day though.

Her main symptom was looking round at her stomach then collapsing, lying on the floor for about a minute groaning. Then she'd get up and carry on a normal until it happened again 5-7 minutes later.

If in doubt, ring the vet for a chat. My horse was a little tender for a couple of days. The vet put it down to the strong muscle contractions leaving the muscles a little sore. Plus whatever is in there has to work it's way through and come out.

 

[sophiebailey]

Thanks guys that's really helpful, she did say he'd be sore + uncomfortable for a while but never having dealt with colic before I'm terrified I'm dismissing these small 'discomfort' signals when they could be indicating something more sinister. He was examined rectally and nothing swollen, twisted or blocked, just gas she thinks.

 

[sophiebailey]

He doesn't seem to be displaying any signs of 'pain' though, there's no rolling or pawing, no biting of his tummy, temperature is very slightly high but heart + respiration rate normal, so he doesn't appear to be in pain, he just doesn't look comfortable

Even if he wasn't visibly in pain and was masking, his vital signs would still show evidence of pain wouldn't they? X

 

[brucea]

See if you can put him on to a forage based feed - something like Pure Easy for a while

Avoid all cereals and grains and see if that helps

i had a regular colicker until I did this and he never had colic again.

 

[sophiebailey]

Called the vet who's said its to be expected and to put him on a probiotic so I'm off to pick one up tonight! X