Colic: internal obstruction of the intestines in a horse - causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention

Internal obstruction of the intestines in a horse is a sudden narrowing or complete closure of the intestinal lumen, but not by the forage masses, but by the foreign body.

Causes of horse bowel obstruction

1. Intestinal stones (true or false). True intestinal stones are a consequence of prolonged feeding of horses to bran (rye or wheat), superimposed on a chronic digestive upset. Sometimes this is due to lack of movement or metabolic disorders. False intestinal stones can result from eating sand, wood, earth, hair, etc.
2. Stones are closely interwoven plant fibers, wool or hair.
3. Accumulation of sand.
4. Roundworms or larvae of gadflies that are entwined in a ball.
5. Rarely - foreign bodies.

Symptoms of an internal obstruction of the intestines in a horse

1. Attacks of anxiety can be repeated for several months, until the stone moves to the beginning of the small colon, narrowing or closing its lumen.
2. Swelling of the place of blockage - with complete blockage, and then - secondary acute expansion of the stomach.
3. The pulse is weak, rapid.
4. Defecation stops - if the intestinal lumen is completely closed. If the closure of the intestinal lumen is incomplete, a small amount of liquid is released, sometimes fetid stool.

The course and prognosis of internal intestinal obstruction in a horse

If the small intestine is clogged, a few hours later there is a secondary acute expansion of the stomach.

The duration of the disease is from 2 to 5 days or more. A possible complication is coprostasis.

Small stones and intestinal stones along with feces are thrown out, and the horse recovers. Sometimes stones and stones go back into the gastric expansion, and the pain stops.

Treatment of internal bowel obstruction in a horse

1. First of all, if you notice symptoms of internal bowel obstruction in a horse, immediately contact your veterinarian and follow his recommendations!
2. Deep enemas push the stones into the lumen of the gastric expansion of the large colon.
3. Probing, gastric lavage - in case of secondary acute expansion.
4. A radical method of treatment is surgery.

Prevention of horse bowel obstruction

1. Feeding a horse with quality feed.
2. Limiting the number of bran (or exclusion from the diet).
3. Regular feeding and drinking.
4. Enough exercise.

Watch the video: Thinking about colic as a horse owner Cornell Vet Equine Seminar Series, December 2019 (February 2021).