Horse has colic

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Quartz

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I have just received a call from my YO to tell me my lovely horse is ill with colic. She has given him an injection and he has now passed a no. 2. However this was an hour and half ago and she said she would call me back within the hour to keep me updated. She does not seem worried now he has been to the toilet but I am terrified. It does not help that I am on holiday with my husband and two small children sitting in a hotel room, trying to keep emotions together and feeling helpless. Does this mean he is on teh road to recovery as he has been to the toilet, or could it still take a turn for the worse? Please help, going stir crazy here not being able to get to see him.
 
Erm .. what has your YO injected him with ?!

Personally, I would want my vet to see him, if he were mine, especially if I wasn't able to get there myself.

I hope he makes a full recovery.
 
Colic is something that can affect horses in varying degrees and I was told many years ago never to try to assess for myself how the horse was coping with an episode - always call a vet out.
During a colic attack the horse can pass droppings (sometimes like cow pats) and the longer the attack goes on the danger is that shock to the organs can set in and the heart is strained. The gums will pale and the eyes can also look pale too. If the vet comes out they can give an injection to ease the pain. They can also tube liquid up the nose and down into the stomach to help. There are other measures that can be taken too so I would recommend you do not hesitate to call out your vet. At least you will have done something that will reassure you that a professional is dealing with it.
Good luck - my heart goes out to you because I have had many a worrying time with colic and my two horses.
 
Passing droppings is usually a good sign, however if your YO has given something like buscapan (sp?) a muscle relaxant it can mask something else.

A vet will listen for gut sounds (good sign and hope of not being too serious) then check for a blockage, if the colic continues they then usually tube by putting a tube up the nose and checking for reflux - if it refluxes not a good sign. Breathing and pulse rate are a major factor as this can confirm whether your horse is still in pain and they will check that too.

Lots of things cause colic as it really only implies stomach ache. However time is a factor if its serious and at any sign of colic, for unfortunatley numerous reasons including sad losses, we have the vet out.

As you aren't there at least if you have had a professional (ie the vet) then you have done everything possible for your horse even though you aren't there.

I really hope its not serious and wish your horse the best of luck xxx
 
iconique said:
Passing droppings is usually a good sign, however if your YO has given something like buscapan (sp?) a muscle relaxant it can mask something else.

A vet will listen for gut sounds (good sign and hope of not being too serious) then check for a blockage, if the colic continues they then usually tube by putting a tube up the nose and checking for reflux - if it refluxes not a good sign. Breathing and pulse rate are a major factor as this can confirm whether your horse is still in pain and they will check that too.

Lots of things cause colic as it really only implies stomach ache. However time is a factor if its serious and at any sign of colic, for unfortunatley numerous reasons including sad losses, we have the vet out.

As you aren't there at least if you have had a professional (ie the vet) then you have done everything possible for your horse even though you aren't there.

I really hope its not serious and wish your horse the best of luck xxx
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Very well put! sound advice here.
 
Thank you all so much for your advice. I lost my wifi last night so did not see all of it till today. I did ask the YO to call the vet when she gave a second injection as he took a turn for the worse. She said there was no need, unless he doesn't improve within the hour, then she would call. she text me at 11.30pm to say he seemed to have improved but she would update me in the morning. Needless to say it was a sleepless night with lots of tears, I really really feared the worse. I felt helpless as the yard would have been locked up so could not get independent vet down there without the YO. However got a text this morning to say he made it through and is on the way to recovery. I am this afternoon organising his insurance, as I have never done this after being told it was a waste of time. I know one thing for sure I would have felt a hell of a lot better knowing he was insured and not to worry what the cost!!!
 
I felt helpless as the yard would have been locked up so could not get independent vet down there without the YO.
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Erm....that is just unacceptable.

YO's should NOT be diagnosing and injecting horses unless they are a vet. Not aceptable, significant welfare issue, and a disaster waiting to happen.

It would be legally very questionable in the UK, not sure what the position is in France, but is it desirable? Hmm.
 
brucea said:
Erm....that is just unacceptable.

YO's should NOT be diagnosing and injecting horses unless they are a vet. Not aceptable, significant welfare issue, and a disaster waiting to happen.

It would be legally very questionable in the UK, not sure what the position is in France, but is it desirable? Hmm.
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I agree with Brucea. I know its difficult as you are not able to do much being so far away but if, or when, you go away next time make sure that you get your YO to agree to call out the vet if your horse is ill as this is the only person who is qualified to make a proper diagnosis and to prescribe the correct medication. Either that or get a trusted, knowledgable friend to take on the responsibility for calling out a vet.
I'm glad to hear that your horse is on the mend and I do hope you get home soon to give him a big hug.
 
To be honest I think they do things differently here, its very different to England thats for sure. However, having researched colic during the day today I agree, next time I would get the vet straight away as there seem to be many complications and problems that can arise. All I can say is thank goodness it was all ok, however I may have slept last night if I had known he had had a proper diagnosis. But on the other hand I not slag of my YO, she did at the end of the day, do a good job as he survived and that is all that matters to me at this moment. But yes, next time (cross fingers it doesn't happen again, although I think thats just wishful thinking) I would call the vet straight out.
 
Colic kills horses - it should always be a reason for a vet call out and it should always be taken seriously.

And sometimes the mild ones are the insidious dangerous ones as they can grumble on for days and then suddenly become serious.
 
I'm happy your horse is OK now, but I also agree with the other posters about the importance of calling the vet as soon as colic is suspected. I wouldn't be happy with any YO taking on the role of vet no matter how knowledgeable they might be.

My horse colicked the other day due to dodgy haylage, and our YO called me immediately saying he didn't look right. She's a lovely girl and recognised he wasn't himself immediately - she got the vet out and all was fine thanks to her diligent actions. She doesn't even know him that well as we're new at the yard, but she's very observant. However there's no way she'd self diagnose without vet's advice.

Hope yours had made a full recovery. :)
 
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