Recurrent colic with no obvious cause

[Glitterandrainbows]

I know someone who had a ex racer who kept getting colic turns out it was from eating straw he did it a couple of times she moved to shavings and he never did it again

 

[nikkimariet]

I lost Fig to colic. He had recurrent issues fairly early on when I had him. It seemed to resolve itself when I started him and kept him on sucralfate. He was a stressy boy though.

The 2 weeks before I lost him he coliced probably 6 times and badly? I suspect a tumour of some kind. I wouldn’t have put him through surgery in any case in spite of his age so never truly found the cause but I believe in my heart that’s what was wrong.

It’s heart breaking watching them suffer.

 

[Goldenstar]

Mine had tumours as well .
Abdominal scans can sometimes see them but never rule them out as they are not always apparent .

 

[Barton Bounty]

I found bread outside bbs stable one sunday morning and flipped my lid, he has an allergy to soya!not saying this caused it but… BB colicked march 2020 that same day, went downhill very quickly and after three buscopan shots and painkillers there was no doubt in my mind that he was going to weipers centre! I had walked him for hours and he was now exhausted! So got a trailer , loaded him in and went straight up, he looked a poor soul and just wanted to cuddle me! While in the trailer the vet put thw hose down his nose just to try and moVe stuff, i was frantic , breaking my heart. We got there and the vets were like a swarm of bees all round him doing this and that! After hours it turned out he had a very enlarged colon! So they had my permission if required to go ahead with surgery, I went back home and awaited a phone call, it was 7.30 in the morning and the vets phoned and said the colon had gone down and that he had passed 9 whopping poops during thw night and they are hoping he makes a full recovery! He did and was home a week later.
The vets gave me a bit of advice, they said if it ever happens again and you are confident at nasogastric intubation them get something fizzy down the funnel, beer and coke works that generally kick starts the tum apparently.
I changed his whole diet when I got him home, he is only on high fibre, low sugar etc with bentonite clay and salt .

 

[Cates123]

My boy is now living out 24/7 with damp hay at night and 4 small, high fibre feeds a day. Currently on steroids and my bottle of Colikare arrived today so starting on that as his issue is gas. He's presently very happy and relaxed in the field but he usually is totally fine and gaining weight between bouts, so until a considerable time passes, I'm not counting my chickens! Luckily his colic surgery scar is now healing well so I'm just going to be as positive as possible that he' on the mend, at least on that front. Maybe one day I'll actually be able to finally get back on him!!
I've watched this horse be scanned multiple times, tubed, injected, his infected incision site scraped out and with filled with antibiotics....he's been through the wringer and been a complete, stoic dude throughout it all. It is heart breaking to watch but hopefully it'll all be worth it in the end

 

[Barton Bounty]

My boy is now living out 24/7 with damp hay at night and 4 small, high fibre feeds a day. Currently on steroids and my bottle of Colikare arrived today so starting on that as his issue is gas. He's presently very happy and relaxed in the field but he usually is totally fine and gaining weight between bouts, so until a considerable time passes, I'm not counting my chickens! Luckily his colic surgery scar is now healing well so I'm just going to be as positive as possible that he' on the mend, at least on that front. Maybe one day I'll actually be able to finally get back on him!!
I've watched this horse be scanned multiple times, tubed, injected, his infected incision site scraped out and with filled with antibiotics....he's been through the wringer and been a complete, stoic dude throughout it all. It is heart breaking to watch but hopefully it'll all be worth it in the end

Crossing everything for you! ?

 

[tristar]

same here!

 

[Cates123]

Quick update on this situation which is, sadly, still unresolved. My boy colicked again after 3 weeks (at beginning of Aug) whilst I was travelling for work (nightmare). Back to vets for 2 days for monitoring as he goes downhill so quickly when it hits. Fine after usual meds (painkiller and antispasmodic) and monitoring but complete nightmare that after treating for ulcers, worms, putting on steroids, checking teeth and adapting management over the last 2 months, this is still happening. Now on another veterinary supplement (oral tube medicine every morning) on top of everything else. I've had a frank chat with the vet and she says to give it another 2 months to come good while we try to introduce him back to work (after his surgery). After that, difficult decisions will have to be made as no one seems to know why it keeps happening. Insurance currently not paying anything so we're racking up quite the bill here, but more than that is the anxiety and stress for me and the poor horse which is unbearable!

Anyone with any recommendations, I'm ready to try anything. Strangely, his condition has improved so much over the last few weeks, really filling out - it is just a day a month when he's really ill, then happy as Larry again..

 

[SO1]

I am sorry to hear this. Sadly I had to PTS my pony recently. It turned out his stomach was not working properly and therefore it was causing delayed gastric emptying and although he was pooing his stomach was full again and food was seen in oesophagus after scoping at 5 weeks following the impaction even on a special diet of no hay or long fibre.

Vet described it like a partially blocked drain with some food passing through but eventually his stomach would eventually so full that it would rupture. It is very rare but vet thinks nerve damage. My pony was 20 and it was only in the last 12 months he had the colics.

Colic is such a worry I hope they get to the bottom of this.

Have they done biopsy of stomach to check for infection, bacterial or fungal problems?

 

[Cates123]

I'm so sorry to hear that. The issue here is gas causing displaced colon and it flares up and then goes away but is dicey when it happens. We've done every test the vet can think of that isn't too intrusive. there was some inflammation seen in the surgery but has been on steroids for that. He's only 5 and just the most adorable horse but at some point it has to be decided if it's fair on everyone to keep going this way.

 

[SO1]

I suppose the problem is they don't know what is causing the build up of gas yet.

However the constant stress of worrying if he will colic is awful especially if it happens at night when no-one is there to help.

Colic is such a stressful awful thing and so painful for them.

I'm so sorry to hear that. The issue here is gas causing displaced colon and it flares up and then goes away but is dicey when it happens. We've done every test the vet can think of that isn't too intrusive. there was some inflammation seen in the surgery but has been on steroids for that. He's only 5 and just the most adorable horse but at some point it has to be decided if it's fair on everyone to keep going this way.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Is there any signs shown before he colics, can you give buscopan yourself and see how that goes?

 

[Cates123]

Is there any signs shown before he colics, can you give buscopan yourself and see how that goes?

There are no signs at all, he's completely fine in the morning, droppings the same and continues eating right up to colic starting. It always occurs around midday/early afternoon and the vet has given me Bute to administer in oral syringe so I can try to manage at home but would much prefer Buscopan as he can go downhill very quickly (and imagine stress will mean I always call vet out). Not sure if this is put straight into vein - not squeamish but may be rules around this.

 

[Barton Bounty]

There are no signs at all, he's completely fine in the morning, droppings the same and continues eating right up to colic starting. It always occurs around midday/early afternoon and the vet has given me Bute to administer in oral syringe so I can try to manage at home but would much prefer Buscopan as he can go downhill very quickly (and imagine stress will mean I always call vet out). Not sure if this is put straight into vein - not squeamish but may be rules around this.

Pmd you

 

[horselover11]

I know someone who had a horse that kept having reoccurring colic and it turned out to be colonic sand accumulation. The vet took a large faecal sample added water mashed the sample up and hung until all settled. It was fascinating as you could see all the sand at tht bottom!

 

[Cates123]

Thought I should update on this thread.

Sadly my boy was pts today after another bout of colic which we couldn't get on top of. It followed the continuing pattern of colicking every 3-4 weeks - gas with colon displacement. Caught it early and thought we'd got on top of it this morning as he passed gas and seemed more comfortable but a couple hours later and he went downhill very quickly.
The vets still have no clue what caused it, we've tried everything over the last 3 months and, on the surface he was looking fantastic - putting on weight and happy in himself. He was in great spirits yesterday.
It's been a horrid time and i feel terrible that he was so young and we couldn't fix him despite throwing everything at it. He was the gentlest horse I've ever met and I'm just glad he doesn't have to suffer any more. I also take comfort in him being pts at home with me by his side.....he was a much loved horse.

Thanks to everyone for sending your suggestions and experiences, I really appreciated it.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Sorry to hear this
you sound like a great owner

 

[Red-1]

I am sorry for your loss.
You have him every kindness, including the hardest one.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Im so sorry to hear this, my heart is broken for you

 

[rabatsa]

So sorry.

 

[MereChristmas]

so sorry

 

[AandK]

So sorry to read the latest update, thinking of you.

 

[ycbm]

I'm sorry you weren't able to post a happier update, you must be devastated.
.

 

[PurBee]

Sorry for your loss, am heartbroken for you, have just caught up with thread and had high hopes. Sometimes no matter what we try, we dont succeed. He was a lucky horse to have you trying hard for him. Big hug x

 

[Snow Falcon]

I am so so sorry. When you've tried everything possible it's heartbreaking when you have to let them go. Colic is a dreadful thing for horses and owners alike. Take comfort from the fact he had a happy life.

 

[tristar]

how very sad, so sorry xxx

 

[AdorableAlice]

I am so sorry, absolutely heart breaking for you.

 

[silv]

I am sorry to read the update, you couldn't have done any more for the poor boy and he was fortunate to have you on his side. Take care x

 

[Ratface]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Be proud of your responsible ownership and of doing the kindest, most heartbreaking thing. He's now pain-free and safe.
My deepest condolences on the loss of your lovely horse.

 

[SO1]

I am so sorry to hear this.

I think these reoccurring colics are often as a result of underlying health conditions which are hard to diagnose and treat. Be assured that he will not have pain again and that you have done the kindest thing. My vet said that the last thing you want in these situations is for them to colic at night alone and have to be in pain and frightened for hours until they are found in the morning.

You and the vets did all they could to try and get to the bottom of this. I am devastated for you.