HORSE OWNERS: As you know we are experiencing colder temperatures this time of year. We suggest using bucket heaters on cold nights and giving your horses electrolytes in the morning and in the evening, monitor their consumption of water and make sure they are passing manure. Call your veterinarian ASAP if your horse has any of the following symptoms: Symptoms of Colic The horse will tell you his belly is hurting in a variety of ways. Some of these are fairly specific for abdominal problems; others are not. • Kicking at the belly. Unless the horse is being bothered by flies, this is a fairly specific symptom. • Turning to look at and/or biting at the belly or flank. Same as kicking at the belly. The horse may rest quietly, or may alternate between lying flat and lying on his sternum. • Restlessness. Horse may lie down and get up repeatedly, or pace. • Nosing at water but not drinking. • Grunting or groaning. Usually more likely to do this when they are down. May also be present with chest pain. Some horses may lift their lip or grind their teeth. • Pawing at the ground. May indicate more severe pain than the previous signs. • Rolling and/or thrashing when down. This indicates severe pain. Foals will often lie on their backs with their feet in the air. • Change in manure. This includes no/less manure, diarrhea, change in size of the fecal balls, manure covered with mucus (which will look like a veil). • Excessive gas production, abnormal abdominal sounds, or a complete lack of sound. Gut sounds that are obviously louder than normal and can be heard without a stethoscope. (Your vet will also use a stethoscope to detect other abnormalities in the intestinal sounds, including hearing no sounds at all.) • Abnormal postures. Standing stretched out or a horse sitting on his haunches like a dog. • Changes in mouth and gum color. Abnormally pale, or abnormally red or dark, or failure to regain color when pressed upon. • Nonspecific signs that tell you the horse...
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 15:04:31 +0000