Colic in 6 month old foal

[wickedwilfred]

I have a 6 month old TB filly foal who has three separate colic attacks at roughly 3 weekly intervals recently. Each time we have managed to treat her with Calmagine and she has recovered but I would welcome suggestions about the cause and anyway we can avoid further attacks. She is a strong, healthy eater and has access to plenty of grass and hay as well as two feeds a day of a chaff and foal mix. She has been wormed recently.

 

[Amy May In A Manger]

Has your vet given any reasons they think the attacks keep happening?

 

[darcip]

gas colic?

 

[wickedwilfred]

The second time we thought she may have been eating acorns, although we have never had a problem before. Now we have cleared the ground close to the oak tree so it can’t be that.

 

[Amy May In A Manger]

Has your vet given any reasons they think the attacks keep happening?

 

[wickedwilfred]

We did think it could be a problem with eating acorns, but have eliminated that possibility. No changes in her diet to suggest gas colic.

 

[FieldOrnaments]

Would echo above wanting to know what did the vet suggest?

Also some wormers target different species to others so depending on what you used, she may still have a worm burden. (Badly phrased sorry hope it makes sense)

 

[ihatework]

If she were mine, I'd probably worm test and run a blood panel.
Is she weaned? If so it could be stress / stress ulcers and I'd be inclined to discuss a course of omeprazole with your vet. If not yet weaned, far less likely.

 

[wickedwilfred]

Yes, weaned but she had two colic attacks while she was still with her mother. Very carefully weaned and introduced to new pals before the separation, so no stress. Vet coming today and will discuss worm count etc., with her. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[I'm Dun]

If she were mine, I'd probably worm test and run a blood panel.
Is she weaned? If so it could be stress / stress ulcers and I'd be inclined to discuss a course of omeprazole with your vet. If not yet weaned, far less likely.

This, Id be thinking worms and/or ulcers. They can start with them so, so young

 

[dorsetladette]

If she were mine, I'd probably worm test and run a blood panel.

Yep I agree with this based on the fact she's had colic before and after weaning I'd be inclined to lean towards worms. I took on a 9 month old colt with a (unknown) heavy worm burden. It took approx 8-9 months to get on top of it. Worming has become a whole minefield with all the resistance but it is still necessary.

 

[4Hoofed]

I’d Worm count ASAP. On paper my youngster should have been clear. One colic surgery later he was not. My vets can get the results back within a few hours. Then they can assist with managing it. Resistance is going to cause a lot of problems in my opinion soon.

 

[wickedwilfred]

Worm count taken and results received - all negative. At the moment, she appears to be stable - eating well and out in field with her new pals during the day. Have got her on stomach calmers as a precaution.

 

[I'm Dun]

Worm count taken and results received - all negative. At the moment, she appears to be stable - eating well and out in field with her new pals during the day. Have got her on stomach calmers as a precaution.

have you done a blood test for tape worm? Worm counts can be wildly inaccurate unfortunately and I wouldnt rely on them with a colicking foal.

 

[dorsetladette]

have you done a blood test for tape worm? Worm counts can be wildly inaccurate unfortunately and I wouldnt rely on them with a colicking foal.

agree!

 

[ihatework]

If it happens again I would honestly run a full blood panel. I’d be particularly keen to look at inflammatory markers

 

[DPDOT]

I would be looking at encysted red worm burden also- a simple blood test