Frequent reoccurring colic

[BilyandJack]

Hello everyone my horse has had 3 colic episodes in a month and a half. This is really unusual for him as he had no history of colic before this.

History: moved horse in December 2014. Had a hard time settling in but did okay. In January the horse started to loose weight (hard winter) and his grain intake was upped. At this time he was on purina integrity (3 quarts/day) purina elite evolution (3quarts/day) and purina athlete (1 quart/ day) plus best pulp at 3 quarts per day. I don’t think he needed this much food but BM upped rations without my knowledge or permission. At the beggening of Feb he started eating slower sometimes not finishing at all. That was very unusual for this horse. By mid March he refused to eat the grain at all and only nibbled on hay eating maybe a flake a day if I’m generous (he has unlimited forage 24/7). His poop also started to smell funny almost acidic.
Vet was called and he was treated for gastric ulcers with omeprazole (compounded) for 2 weeks followed by omeprazole/ l-glutamine and aloevera paste for 30 days. At this time (beggening of may) we had the first colic.

1st colic: suspected right dorsal colon displacement. Was referred to equine hospatial for surgery. Horse was given banamine and buscapan. However, this was the only day this horse wouldnt load. Called some of my horsey friends for assistance and we couldn’t get him in the trailer. Called vet back for sedation. Vet didn’t believe it was the same horse as he no longer looked as he was colicking at all. Did another rectal and everything was normal. Canceled referral to hospatial and called it a night.

We continued with our ulcer treatment plan also added a pro and pre biotic (omega alpha biotic 8). Took grain out of diet and replaced with hay cubes witch he ate more readily.

2cd colic: 3 weeks later on May 31st. Caught this much earlier as i was working at the barn that day. Called vet it was a moderate impaction. Pulled food uncluding hay. Tubed with 1/4 gallon of mineral oil. Hand walked for an hour every 2 hours. Had manure by morning.

This colic was on the last day of ulcer meds. Vet had me add Equishure to his supplement assortment to help hindgut. This improved his appetite and the smell of his manure.

3rd colic: today 2 weeks after impaction. This time spasmadic colic. Noticed it this morning after I did turn out. Unfortunately I had to write a final and couldn’t stay. I called the vet to come out and she treated the horse. Unsure of all the details as I’m not back at the barn yet and cant get a hold of the vet.

So, any opionios or advice. I fell as it is in the hind gut and is a result of grain overlaod back in January. The vet is completely stumped. I am getting a second opinion but in the mean time I would like some input as I’m really worried.

[stryder]

You started a related thread on June 2. Rather than starting a new thread, could you just update the previous one with any new info?

I’d still be thinking about a leaky gut.

[Where_sMyWhite]

Sand colic?

[BilyandJack]

[QUOTE=stryder;8198422]
You started a related thread on June 2. Rather than starting a new thread, could you just update the previous one with any new info?

I’d still be thinking about a leaky gut.[/QUOTE]

Sorry but I wanted everything posted in one place. I will update this thread not the previous one.

[Sansena]

Not much advice, other than to ask if you’ve scoped him or simply treated the ulcers anecdotally? It sure sounded like an ulcer related issue initially.

Having said that, I’ve known several through the years that would colic with various and sundry presentation. Many just have episodes in one season, others go on to colic willy-nilly, seemingly with no rhyme or reason. The two I’m thinking of that presented truly randomly eventually became surgical with strangulating lipoma. What color is your horse? Though these 2 were a chestnut and bay, not grey. However some think the grey --being predisposed to melanoma-- are more apt to develop lipoma.

Where is this horse, in the nation? Are you in a region where enteroliths might be an issue?

When were his teeth last floated? and… is his schedule routine or are there great variances in when he’s eating?

I’m sorry your’e going through this.

[Beckham03]

I didn’t read your last thread, so throwing this out there:
Has bloodwork been done? Scoped? Checked for sand?

[Kimchi]

What type of hay is your horse on?

My mare had a couple months where she was colicing every couple of weeks, finally the vet suggested that I switch her to grass hay.

I guess Alfalfa was too rich for her, she has done much better ever since.

Just a thought

[BilyandJack]

No the vet said not to scope as the nearest place is a 10 hour drive. I would like to scope hence why I’m getting a new vet. Bloodwork hasent been done either. Teeth were floated in February. This horse is fed and turned out/in at the same time everyday. Horse is in Canada and eats 50/50 Timothy alfalfa hay. He has been on this for 4 years without issues. Thanks for the replies so far. I will bring these things up with the vet.

[Hermein]

One of my elder horses went through a period of colics–the last one so bad that I would have euthanized him right then had the vet not convinced me to wait for an hour. (I’m so glad that she did.)

Vet was pretty sure that he has the obstruction that older horses get (can’t remember what she called it), but I changed his diet anyhow.

I feed him alfalfa hay twice a day and keep a slow-feed net of Bermuda (common, not coastal) in his stall. In addition I give him 3 really slurpy pans of a combination of forage pellets, Senior high fat pellets, beet pulp, a pro-biotic, extra salt plus psyllium in one of the wet feedings. He’s also on Previcox & Mag
Restore.

So far, so good.

[Auburn]

Throwing out some random thoughts here.

Did your Vet tell you that compounded Omeprasole has a shelf life of only 2 weeks? Is there a reason why you did not do Ulcergard or Gastrogard? If you are in Canada, then go to Horse Pre Race. They have Omeprasole in a paste there or go through your Vet and get the real deal. Some folks on COTH have said that the Omeprasole from Horse Pre Race did not work, but it did for both of my girls.

My mare has a slow hind gut, so she is on EquiShure, too. I found this out when she was scoped at Rood and Riddle here in KY. She also gets Probios. She used to colic on a regular basis.

How long has he been on grass? Since he is in Canada, when did your Spring grass come in? Did you know that horses need hay in the pasture, especially when on Spring or lush grass? Spring grass is 75% water, so they need the extra roughage to push it through. Otherwise, it sits in the gut and ferments, which causes colic.

I truly hope that you find a Vet that can scope him and figure out what might be causing his issues. :yes: I hate colic.

[Essie]

Make sure you get blood pulled. Many things can cause colic, not just ulcers. If your horse is colicking through omeprozale, there may be another cause. Be very vigilant, if it is liver the blood work may not show liver issues until the damage is done. Scope and ultrasound. I speak from experience. It’s a long story and hopefully, it’s not relevant. Good luck!

[BilyandJack]

Ulcergaurd and gastrogaurd were not offered to me and I only found out about them after doing research on ulcers when the vet had already left me the compounded stuff. I didn’t know it only lasted 2 weeks though. Spring grass came in around mid March and there is lots of hay in the field 24/7. I’ve emailed the vet last night and was very adiment I wanted further diagnostics. She said if he has colic again she we refer us to the equine hospatial. She said most likely they will scope and ultrasound. I’m kind of hoping he just colics again so we can I a diagnosis. I know that sounds bad but I really want to sort this out.

[Austin_Rider]

What are are you feeding him now, including supplements? Does he drink plenty of water?

[BilyandJack]

[QUOTE=Austin Rider;8199354]
What are are you feeding him now, including supplements? Does he drink plenty of water?[/QUOTE]

He gets 3 pounds (dry weight)hay cubes soaked per day and 20 oz of tribute k finish per day. Supplements include omega alpha twice daily, magnesium twice daily, 30g Equishure twice daily and 1oz salt twice daily. He has never been a big drinker even before all this. Drinks about 1/4 bucket (15 quart) a night if your lucky.

[Peggy]

When my horse had a series of colics it turned out to be thickened intestines. I think that one of the triggers was that his hay to concentrate ratio decreased since, unbeknownst to us, the barn cut back on the amount of hay.

[HealingHeart]

Start with figuring out what changed from december’s routine to now? Feed type?, t/o?, hay type? Is their new supplements? What changed? Also what’s different about new place vs old? Did he leave a friend? Does he feel safe with new place, the help, are they ok? And last, water ? City vs well or ? 2 buckets vs 1 ?

Also, how’s the new barn? Windows, good circulation? Bedding ? Also, looking for stress tiggers as well …

[arapaloosa_lady]

[QUOTE=BilyandJack;8199148]
I’ve emailed the vet last night and was very adiment I wanted further diagnostics. She said if he has colic again she we refer us to the equine hospatial. She said most likely they will scope and ultrasound. I’m kind of hoping he just colics again so we can I a diagnosis. I know that sounds bad but I really want to sort this out.[/QUOTE]

Does your vet think it’s absolutely necessary to wait for him to colic again to run diagnostics at the hospital? Three colics in 6 weeks is a concerning amount, and I’d just be calling up the hospital to make an appointment now. He definitely doesn’t need to be currently colicking to get scoped.

[BilyandJack]

[QUOTE=HealingHeart;8200043]
Start with figuring out what changed from december’s routine to now? Feed type?, t/o?, hay type? Is their new supplements? What changed? Also what’s different about new place vs old? Did he leave a friend? Does he feel safe with new place, the help, are they ok? And last, water ? City vs well or ? 2 buckets vs 1 ?

There has been lots of changes but they were all made or recommended by the vet. He was previously on no supplements. The problem started after the BM upped his grain so much. I think it ruined him internally if that makes any sense.
He did have to leave a lot of friends and is only with one other horse on the property now. The BM and BO are the only help and I’m the only boarder currently. It is a private farm and the other horse is the BO’s. Both places are on wells. At the old place he had an automatic water and now gets 2 buckets.

Also, how’s the new barn? Windows, good circulation? Bedding ? Also, looking for stress tiggers as well …[/QUOTE]

There is one window in the stall next to him. The circulation is okay. It’s never stuffy in there but it’s top notch or anything. The bedding is better than at the old place lots of wood shavings now. Only stress I can think of is just being with one other horse on property compared to the 50 he was on property with before. The 2 of them have gotten very herdbound and will call when separated for riding etc.

[BilyandJack]

[QUOTE=arapaloosa_lady;8200127]
Does your vet think it’s absolutely necessary to wait for him to colic again to run diagnostics at the hospital? Three colics in 6 weeks is a concerning amount, and I’d just be calling up the hospital to make an appointment now. He definitely doesn’t need to be currently colicking to get scoped.[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately, you have to get a referral to the hospatial. You cannot make an appointment yourself.

[JBD]

What is his worming schedule like? With the vets input, you may want to consider putting him on a daily wormer. I had a frequent colic-er and tried a lot of things. However she was like that from a very young age unlike your horse.
What seems to have put her on the right track was extruded feed, probiotics, daily wormer and paste worming for tapeworms. She was always on coastal and daily wormer. Treating for tapeworms seemed to help. And probiotics definitely helped.

She was fairly predictable as in if she didn’t drink most of a bucket after meals, we’d most likely have a problem. Knock on wood she hasn’t had problems for a while.

It does sound like your horse might have ulcers. I don’t see where you mention how much water he’s drinking. That’s the first thing I check in these kind of situations.

Edited to add: you did post how much he drinks. And it could very well be what’s pushing him over the edge along with the other changes. Try warm water, flavored water, adding water to his hay cubes, anything to get the water consumption up.