Page 757 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Antibiotics may be prescribed if the ulcers are persistent and bacterial infection is
• suspected, but are rarely justified.

VetBooks.ir • Management changes to reduce stress.

Prognosis

Early recognition is important, particularly in severe cases, which require aggressive
treatment for a successful outcome. Progress can be monitored by repeated ultrasound

examinations and monitoring of serum total protein and albumin. Horses may feel better in
themselves after 1–2 weeks of the dietary changes and the inflammation of the colon

subsides over 4–8 weeks. With appropriate management and dietary changes the prognosis is
reasonable but the mortality rate can be up to 40%.

COLIC IN THE ADULT HORSE

Colic is the name given to a number of conditions where the horse shows characteristic
behavioural signs as a result of abdominal pain. It is usually caused by a problem with the

digestive tract and can be mild or severe. Pain can arise from:
• disturbances to the normal motility of the gut, e.g. intestinal spasm

• stretching of the gut wall by accumulated gas or food

• damage to the mucosal lining of the intestines

• increased tension on the mesentery (which is the thin fold of tissue that carries blood
vessels and attaches the gut to the dorsal wall of the abdomen)

• loss of blood supply to the intestines.

Many horse owners fear the worst when their horse has colic. However, the majority of cases

respond well to medical treatment and will make a full recovery if correctly and promptly
treated.

Clinical signs

The earliest signs may include some or all of the following. The horse may be:

• less enthusiastic about its feed than normal or not eating at all
• passing fewer droppings than normal

• quiet and lethargic