Strange case of colic

[My equine life]

My horse has had quite a few changes to her life recently. She’s on box rest due to a fracture in her hoof when usually shed be out 24/7 with the access to her field shelter. This has come with diet change too etc and so probably quite a bit of stress (she’s tb). Anyway last night she was pawing rolling lil curling funny about her tummy being touched and all that etc. Didn’t want food at first but then decided she did. So vet came and gave painkillers. Checked her in the night and she was laying down and grunting a bit. Had the odd yawn and lip curl. She got up when I came in. Seemed to have eaten plenty and had normal bowel movement. This morning again she was happy to eat and had a normal amount of poos but she still doesn’t want me touching her belly and she seems almost just really mareish. It’s like she’s Having extreme mood swings or something. (She was doing this last night too). One min she is licking me and nuzzling my hair and the next I’m getting the ears and so quite questionable faces and she’s being all nippy. She is very mareish anyway but not normally this bad and I think considering this is coinciding with the colic I wonder if it’s pain related. The painkillers should have worn off by now. I’ll check her again at lunch time but I’m not sure if I should be panicking? Any ideas appreciated! Do you think this needs a second vet visit or does it sound as though things are heading in the right direction!?!?!

 

[Shay]

I'd keep a close eye. It sounds like there is still pain. If she doesn't calm a bit in the next couple of hours I would at least call the vet to discuss. Vets on the phone are far better than a forum!

 

[sherry90]

If she’s used to being turned out normally then the stress of being box rested/change of routine and no movement can cause colic. I’d give the vet a call. Is she on strict no movement due to the fracture or can she be hand walked? Hand walking and a pick at some grass (if vet allows) would be helpful to keep her moving a bit and break up the day?

 

[PSD]

My vet said to me once “just because they’re eating and pooing doesn’t meant they haven’t got colic”. Colic means pain, so just because she’s eating and such doesn’t mean she’s out of the woods. I’d give the vet a call, they might want to come and check her over. It’ll give you peace of mind if there isn’t any issues, or just have a chat with them over the phone. She’s probably stressed because of the changes and it’s giving her a bit of upset

 

[My equine life]

Yes I agree that I think it’s stress related as she is quite stressy anyway. she has a stable and a bit of the yard because she normally weaves and she seemed ok on this for the first couple of weeks. I did ask about hand walking initially and vet said no but things might be different now. Sent him a text, will see what he says. It’s just difficult because she can be extremely mareish at times so it’s trying to determine what’s general mare behaviour and what’s pain. Gosh if only they could tell us!!

 

[racebuddy]

Definitely sounds painful if she normallt lets u touch her tummy ? Xxxx u know whats normal and whats not xxxx what did vet say xxx

 

[My equine life]

Vet wasn’t too concerned. She has been a bit mareish prior to this I think due to season, being spring and being stuck inside but the lip curling is still worrying me a bit. Vet says normally they don’t tend to react from you touching them externally so that (as a friend also said) may be down to mare type behaviour. Still not fully satisfied so will be monitoring carefully. Hard to know what is best to do really as it doesn’t sound like the vet would really do a lot on arrival as the only symptom of colic shown right now is lip curling and a bit of yawning which could be down to other factors. She also did try to have a wee but didn’t. Nah have been distracted by the fam coming to say hi to her but thought that was odd. :/

 

[racebuddy]

If not happy get a second opinion my boy was really sick had bleeding into his abdomen didnt show a lot just off his hay and quiet and curling lip , was seem at midnight and then continued to get worse he was very reactive to being touched around his flanks xxx m

 

[racebuddy]

some horses hide thinhs very well xxx

 

[DabDab]

Sounds like she might have developed ulcers? Ask the vet and see what they say. How fussy is she food wise? Would she accept a herbal mixture or aloe vera in her feed to sooth her stomach? Alternatively Coligone (pink liquid, smells of liquorice) is a very good product that you could syringe down.

My mare was very poorly as a 3yo and it triggered off a recurring stomach issue for about 6 months. She would go off hard feed completely with it so I did used to syringe either coligone or a homemade herbal mixture into her when she got colicky and it certainly made her a lot more comfortable within about an hour.

 

[be positive]

One of mine showed signs of mild colic once, I called the vet then gave pony another check over with my hands and found a sensitive area over the loins/ kidneys so immediately thought of dehydration, got some fluids into him in a very sloppy feed and he quickly brightened up went and had a big drink with a look of relief in his eyes and was obviously feeling better within no time, a little later he had a wee and was fine, I think it was simply he was not drinking enough and the slight discomfort stopped him doing so, I was extremely careful to keep his fluid intake up after that.

It is something I am always aware of in horses on box rest anyway having had one return from hospital seriously dehydrated, it can easily be missed but equally fairly easy to address by giving a few very sloppy feeds each day or leaving a bucket of water with something tasty in at all times.

 

[My equine life]

she drank a full tubtrug today. I came to the conclusion of moodiness for now. she then seemed less grumpy today and yesterday which was good until she started pressing her bum against the stable wall and moving backwards and forwards. I don't know if this is boredom (she normally leave but she has a bit of yard and can go in and out so I wonder if this is her next habit) or is it pain? ulcers? swollen ovaries/ovulation pain? hock pain (she has mild arthritis)? pelvic pain? so hard to tell. we have had the vet out for her so much recently and spoken on the phone even more so if I can get a few opinions on here maybe it will help!? I feel sick to my stomach with worry about her all the time at the moment. it seems to be one thing after another. I don't know if I am being overdramatic but she is my absolute world and when she is happy and healthy, I'm happy.

 

[hopscotch bandit]

I'd be giving her sloppy feeds if she were mine to get extra fluid into her to keep her hydrated and keep her gut moving along whilst on box rest. Also apple juice or mint in water to encourage fluid intake and wet hay.