Colic Flashcards
How do colicky foals behave?
Same as adults + lack of nursing (or short term nursing)
- ears laid back after suckling
- recumbency
- straining to defecate (sign of meconium impaction)
- rolling on back to reveal the abdomen
Define colic
Abdominal pain - behaviors manifest in response to pain that point to the abdomen- demonstration of symptoms that are interpreted as evidence of abdominal pain
What are some common behaviors that horses express when they are colicky?
Quiet- not eating much
- pawing at the ground
- Camped out stance - to stretch out abdomen
- horses look to flank
- can be down/rolling
- pointing with nose to abdomen
- kicking at abdomen
- flehmen response
What is lethal white foal syndrome?
Generalized agangliosis of autonomic nervous system
- GI tract motility fails- genes carried by paint horses
- genetic testing has made this much less common
- no cure- these cases end up being euthanized
What is the most common form of colic?
Simple gas colic (aka spasmotic)
- simple colic- usually will resolve on its own within 30 min to hour
- can give banamine dose to relieve pain and allow gas to pass
Out of 100 horses, what is the average number that colic per year?
4/100
What time of the year are horses most likely to show signs of colic?
Spring- at the start of the green lush pastures
What is the historical, health related event that is associated with repeat colic?
Previous history of colic- history of colic surgery (can lead to adhesions)
What percent of colic cases undergo surgery?
4%- complex colic cases
What are the feeding practices that are associated with an increased risk of colic?
= domestication - making them sporadically work, feeding intermittently, feeding corn
What are the different types of horse feeds? Roughages (hay) and concentrates
Roughages (hay) and concentrates
What are 3 common types of hay given to horses? What is the other type of roughage that also is commonly given to horses?
-Fescue- very common in VA- very stable in environment, will stabilize the soil, will always come back. However, it can cause agalactia in mares (due to endophytes)
-Timothy
- Orchard grass
-Legumes (alfalfa and clover)- very rich hay- contains higher protein on per pound (dry matter) basis
What is concentrate?
Contains a lot of grain heads
- high in simple carbs- not what they are designed to eat
- place at high risk of colic due to high amount of VFAs produced
What is a complete feed?
Contains concentrate but also a lot of structural fibers
- much more similar to what horse would consume when out in pasture
- ex: Equine senior feeds- percent fiber should be at least 17%
When should you use a high fat, low glycemic index feed in horses?
Horses with polysaccharide storage myopathies
- low carbs- these horses handle fats much better as an energy source
T/F: even if a horse is not used for high levels of performance, they still need concentrates in their diet
T/F: mares must be off of fescue 4 weeks prior to parturition
False- can do just fine on good quality pasture/hay
What percent of a horses energy comes from fermentation that occurs in the large intestine?
70%
T/F: mares must be off of fescue 4 weeks prior to parturition
True- rare to have fungal free fescue
Which class of hay is more calorie dense, has more calcium and has more protein?
Legumes
What is the difference between first and second cut hays?
First cut- long growth period from winter-spring
-coarser-better for easy keepers
Second cut- after the first cut grows back (usually in august)
-softer, more palatable and energy dense
How can you determine if hay is at its peak nutrition?
Right before the “booted out” phase of growth
- once seed head is apparent but has not come out of covering of leaves
-Also look at ratio of stem to leaf (want high leaf to stem ratio)- ideally >50% leaf
-Be sure there is an absence of dust/mold
-Be sure hay is free of weeds (horse nettle, pigweed), trash, animal carcasses (risk of botulism)
Why is access to minerals/vitamins important?
Often are deficient in the local grasses- want them to have access to blocks/granules always
What dietary factors make horses more likely to colic? Less likely?
More likely: high concentrate, prolonged periods in between feedings, expose to lush pasture too quickly
Less likely: fiber based diets decrease colic, also socialization, access to pasture, access to be a horse *when changing foods, introduce slowly
What activity level is good for preventing colic?
1-2 hours of PREDICTABLE exercise per day
