Colic?

[bellaboo]

My yearling filly had colic last night, i have always been aware of the signs but still had the feelings of aaahhhhh what do i do? Have seen it in other horses before my it's not the same as when you see it in your own. She was up and down, looking at her flanks, stamping her hind legs and swishing her tail, she was also mouthing alot and was generally uncomfortable. I called the vet and he said she had a very over active tummy, gave her a shot of something (can't remember now, was 11pm at night!) and said to keep an eye on her. She settled and seemed ok this morning just a little quiet. She had eaten most of her hay and doing stuff she usually does.

So i really want to find out more about colic, the signs, what to do when they have colic and also what to do after? Would love to hear any advice and also what has happened if you have had a horse with colic, how you have dealt with it, how long you have left it before calling the vet etc?
Sorry for long post!

 

[_jetset_]

One of my mares is prone to spasmodic colic, caused by her stomach's yeast levels... I manage it with a feed balancer, keeping everything constant, and on a high fibre diet of Alfa A. This is suiting her really well, and she has gone from a mare who would colic once a month to one who has not had a bout since before she had her foal last spring

However, if she ever gets any signs, the vet is phoned straight away and they come and check her over... it is just not worth leaving it in my opinion, as I also have a horse recovering from colic surgery at the moment!!! I would rather pay an emergency call out fee than go through what I have been through again.

 

[Heidi1]

One of my girls had colic Sunday, vet was called, but gave advice over the phone as was in emergency and as my lady was not showing serious signs, but did say would come out if it got worse, to be honest whenever mine have shown the slightest sign I have called the vet out ASAP, my lady has made a full recover and is back to normal today, but is on a restricted diet at the moment, although not sure what caused it and the strange thing is another mare that is out with her was not very well the day after, showing the same signs as my girl.

In the past I have lost two to colic, one didn't make it out of the operation, growth was found and the other one was found in the field in a terrible state, got to the vets and they didn't seem hopeful, was the longest drive home I have ever done, half way back the vets called to say he had not made it, twisted gut, I was beside myself............

 

[lucym]

i had exactly the same situation as you last night bellaboo. my 4yo went down with colic, swishing tail, rolling, lying down, scraping floor, kicking belly etc. temp and resps were normal, but called the vet anyway immeadiately. i dont think its worth the risk, thinking about what could happen if the colic progressed, and was worse than first thought.
vet said he had a very active, gassy, gut and gave him a shot of the muscle relaxant they use. touch wood he seems fine this morning, eaten a small brecky, and in the field.

vet did say that they have had an extraordinary number of colics in the last few weeks, and puts it down to sugar level changes in the grass as spring approaches. i think its always better to be safe than sorry, or atleast notify and speak to the vets to get some advice. hope your horsey is better now