Spasmodic Colic - How often should I check through the night?

[p87]

Hi all,

Shetland pony has had a bout of spasmodic colic today. She was completely herself until she started lying down in the stable at 1pm when I first brought her in and then when I turned her out after her walk at around 3pm. She was totally fine on her usual walk. Had a feeling something wasn't right so after picking my son up from nursery and getting back to stables at 4pm she was flat out in the field, I had to haul her up off the ground and she kept trying to lie down all the way back to stables.

Vet came out and gave her an injection which perked her up almost immediately, then 20mins later she started showing classic colic signs again so vet came back out and gave her a longer lasting drug - didn't think to ask the name of it - and she said that should do her for 24hours.

I stayed up at stables for nearly 5 hours, thankfully my friend had taken my son home, and by this point she had had a snooze, eaten some hay, had a drink and a poo. She looked much happier also and quite content so I left her to it and had to come home to get my son to bed.

My question is, how often should I check her tonight? Being a single mum to check her through the night I'm going to have to put my son in the buggy and walk the ten minutes to the stables, as I don't drive, and there is no one else there that could pop their head in. I obviously don't mind going up at all - I probably won't get a wink of sleep anyway through worry - but if she was so content when I left her and she has been given the long lasting drug how often should I check in?

 

[be positive]

I would check once more if all is well go to bed as she is likely to be on the mend now and get up there a bit earlier than usual in the morning if you can, the fact she has passed droppings and looks perky is a good sign, hopefully she will have done some more so you can get some sleep.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I'd go up early enough to ring the emergency vet if necessary, without feeling too guilty and then if all is well, perhaps just once more before going up again with time to spare to get your son to school on time.
Good luck and fingers crossed for a good recovery.

 

[superpony]

If she seemed settled when you left her, I would probably say she should be ok to early morning. Although I am one who is always worrying! I would probably check again at 5am.

I am also on late night/early morning checks, my horse flipped over on the concrete this evening. I am off to check him again in a minute!

 

[Tiddlypom]

I would normally check every hour, but this is going to be particularly demanding for you, as you have to bring your son each time. I still would not leave it more than 2 hours between each check, though, but it's very good news that she has done a poo.

Did the vet say that it was ok to let her eat hay? I thought it was best to leave them with only water for 12 hours or so.

Fingers crossed for you that she is on the mend now.

 

[p87]

Thanks for your replies. I was thinking of going up at 2am so if she is showing more signs of colicking at least she won't be left till morning... is that daft? Not sure how my three year old would take to being thrust out in the cold that early though, he would either scream the village down or get totally hyper and not go back to sleep again lol

Not sure if I'm being overly paranoid!

 

[p87]

I would normally check every hour, but this is going to be particularly demanding for you, as you have to bring your son each time. I still would not leave it more than 2 hours between each check, though, but it's very good news that she has done a poo.

Did the vet say that it was ok to let her eat hay? I thought it was best to leave them with only water for 12 hours or so.

Fingers crossed for you that she is on the mend now.

The vet did say to give her hay, although I have always been under the impression to leave without as well. I did question her but she was pretty adamant. She poo'd while I was walking her round waiting on the vet as well, though a lot sloppier than usual, at least she done it!

 

[twiggy2]

just wanted to say good luck with her

I would pop up about 12.30 and if she has poo'd again go to bed and do an early check when you both wake up

 

[Xtra]

How is she this morning?

 

[p87]

Hi, she is much better this morning. Checked her around 1am and no signs of pain/discomfort and then again at 5.30am. She could hear the others calling on her and was shouting back so I just put her out with them and she toddled off with them to eat hay. Checked her again a few hours later and she was fine, still upright and eating!

Will keep checking her every few hours through the day, but she has made a huge improvement since yesterday.

Thanks again everyone for all your help!

 

[Equi]

I can't say what i would do if i wasn't at my own yard, when i thought one of mine had colic at around 7pm i was out every hour until 12am then every 2 hours until morning. (turned out he was just too warm because he had been chasing my mare LOL)

Glad your mare is okay this morning

 

[Meems]

I've only just seen this thread so not been any help at all, just glad to see she's recovered (fingers crossed)!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Great news that she is better! What a relief.

Hope that you can catch up on your lost sleep tonight!

 

[babymare]

Just seen this but so glad she is ok. They are such a worry arnt they. Hope you get some sleep tonight. x

 

[AmiRobertson]

I am very lucky my YO has a caravan on the yard specifically for this type of thing happening. I fact sheis in it now as one of hers went down today really glad to hear yours is much better though. Hate colic!