Doc, "What's going on with my horse?" In the many mild cases of colic owners are baffled as to what is really happening.
Common Symptoms of Colic:
- Restlessness manifested by pawing, repeated getting up and lying down and rolling over
- Kicking at the belly
- Looking at the flank
- May adopt a dog-setting posture
- Lying down and getting up carefully
- Appears lifeless, drooping head, depressed
- Weight loss
- Unable to gain weight regardless of change in diet
- Decreased appetite
- Watery diarrhea
“In the most mild cases the owners are often baffled as to what is really happening. The animal will just stand or lie down on its sternum and turn its head to look at its flank, mainly looking only at the left side. It may get up and walk around with the head down and then lie down again. They usually refuse to eat and sometimes will go to a water source and “play” in it with their lips.” “As the severity of the case increases so the evidence of pain increases in the patient. The animal will begin to sweat. Its breathing will become more and more labored. It will go down and roll from side to side, often kicking and striking as it rolls. It will get up and immediately go down again, until it is almost impossible to keep it on its feet.” Neumann part II
| Symptoms of Colic | |||
| Mild | Moderate | Severe | |
| Heart Rate (beats per minute) | 40 to 60 | 60 to 80 | Over 80 |
| Repertory Rate (breaths per minute) | 20 to 30 | 30 to 40 | Over 40 |
| Temperature (degrees F) | 99 to 100.5 | 99 to 100.0 | Under 99/ Over 100.5 |
| Gum Color | Pale Pink | Pale Pink | Bluish or Purple |
| Capillary Refill Time | 1-2 seconds | 2-4 seconds | Over 5 seconds |
| Gut Sounds | normal or increased | decreased | absent |
| Feces | normal | small, hard fecal balls | none or profuse |
| Passing Gas | Yes | No | none or profuse |
| Pain Level | sweating, intermittent pawing/looking at belly/lifting hind leg/stretching | same as mild but continuous plus may try to roll | all other signs plus uncontrollable, continuous attempts to roll/thrash |
| Contact Your Veterinarian | If your horse exhibits 2 or more of these signs for more than 30 minutes | Immediately | Immediately |