Colic with no elevated heart rate?

M

MeganMarie

Active Member
Joined
4 January 2015
Messages
34
Visit site
Hi,
I was wondering whether anyone had any experience with colic that did not cause the heart rate to increase. Our boy is currently in the ICU at newmarket, after developing colic early friday afternoon. He was very uncomfortable, stretching (like trying to urinate), banging himself against the stable walls, kicking belly, getting up and down, no gut sounds, quite heavy breathing etc.
We had a vet out 3 times. At 4pm he was given a rectal exam (found hard droppings). Flushed his stomach with electrolytes, given sedation & bute. Left him a few hours, still no improvement. Another vet came out around 8pm. Flash forward to 12am, still very uncomfortable, excessively and aggressively pawing the ground, lying down, but lying completely flat out & groaning. Vet did a gastrointestinal reflux, where all the liquid the previous vet had flushed him with, never left his stomach, so she emptied the contents. No bute was helping with pain.
At this point she referred us to the hospital, which we got to at about 3:30am saturday. So he’s been colicing for a good 12 hours!! :(
My question is, his heart rate never elevated above 40, yet he was very uncomfortable and clearly in pain. Can this happen?
He’s currently on a drip, and they’re trying to find the cause.
It’s so hard seeing them in so much pain!
 
My understanding is that horses heartbeats can range a lot, just googled and don't know how accurate it is but says an adult horse heart rate can range between 28 beats to 40 beats for a normal heartrate. If you don't know what his usual heart rate is (which I don't think many of us would - it actually is on my to do list for all of mine!) then his heartbeat at 40 could well be elevated for him. I guess your vet would be able to tell you more. Hope he pulls through ok, never a good time but if hes in Newmarket then he's got every chance you can give him.
 
Yes!

Had one with a caecum impaction in 2007. Heart rate never went up, even when he was on the floor in pain just before we rushed him to surgery. Vets were astounded.

Best wishes to your horse, hope he recovers x
 
Yes. Had a horse who's heart rate never went above 40 for 12hours even though he had a twist.
Surgery was not an option. From 7pm it climbed until hge was pts . It was because he was so settled all day we gave him a chance
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top