what can I do to make her more comfortable? I think she has some type of colic, she is picking up her back hoofs one at a time and looks klike she is trying to touch her nose! she doesn't do this all the time, just several times a day!
any suffestions to make her comfortable untl the vet gets here?
2007-03-09 02:00:02 · 7 answers · asked by nbell402 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
If she has colic, she can't wait until Monday. Telephone the Vet, and explain her symptoms clearly. If the Vet is concerned, he will want to see your horse sooner, rather than later, for the best chance of recovery.
The vet is the best person to advise you, not Y!A answerers, even though there are some knowledgeable individuals here (I think all the professional equestrians, who frequent this site, would tell you to consult a Vet NOW!).
If you suspect your horse has colic, record all the symptoms it is showing, take the horse's vital signs, then call the vet immediately and tell him what you've observed. Return to the horse, walk him for about 15 minutes, then release him in a safe area and watch his behavior. A simple colic can quickly turn deadly without prompt attention. If you horse is already rolling on the ground, thrashing, and sweating, get him up as soon as possible! A horse that is rolling may twist an intestine or complicate an otherwise minor colic. Remember, a colicing horse may be dangerous to be around since it is in pain. Move carefully and be aware when with one. You may have to pull on or even hit the horse to get it go rise, but even if you have to, it's better to do it than to let your horse roll and complicate his colic. If you cannot get the horse up and it is pounding its head against the ground, get a pillow, blanket, or other soft material and carefully place it under the animal's head.
If the weather is extreme, provide shelter for the horse by putting him in a safe stall or barn, and if that is not available, a garage or shed may work. If there is anyway for the horse to harm himself, do not turn him loose, but have someone hold him. Keep all food and water away from the horse until the vet arrives. Try to keep the horse as calm as possible, and keep it from rolling if possible. You may want to walk the horse for a few minutes, then let the horse stand or lie relaxed.
DO NOT CONTINUE TO WALK THE HORSE. Many people will walk a horse for hours, until it is weak and exhausted. Walking can do a bit of good, but over-walking can weaken the horse and even lead to death if the colic turns severe. If the horse isn't feeling better after 15 minutes of walking, then 3 more hours won't make a difference, either. Most likely, if a little walking doesn't help, the horse will require surgery, and if it's been over-walked, it is less likely to live through the surgery and fully recover. If you do walk the horse too much, it's nervous system may shut down, creating more problems. There are many people that will walk a horse for hours, even all night long, thinking that it will do some good. It won't.
Do not EVER administer any colic drugs without talking to your vet. Do not use a product called 'Canadian Bells', because it may shut down the functions of the intestines, complicating the colic. Do not use any products that contain Atropine. Though it may relieve pain quickly, it also slows or stops intestinal action, and sometimes the intestines may not recover. Enemas, too, are useless in adult horses; they just create more pain for a colicing horse.
Tranquilizers will NOT make the horse feel any better or prevent the colic from worsening. They should NEVER be used unless the horse is acting so crazy that it is impossible to treat him. They lower the blood pressure, which may increase risk of death in some colics. Tranquilizers are rarely used on colicing horses.
DO NOT EVER administer mineral oil yourself. The horse may inhale it and die. Instead, leave it up to your vet; he/she will pass a stomach tube and give the oil that way.
Once your vet arrives he will try to determine what is wrong with the horse, and he may do a rectal examination, abdominal tap, or listen to the horse's gut sounds. Most likely, he will administer pain killers such as Phenylbutazone, Butraphol, or Morphine. If the colic is due to muscle spasms, he will likely administer a muscle relaxant, and if it's an impaction he will give a laxative. Laxatives containing antibiotics may be given via stomach tube to kill any gas-causing bacteria and to help clear the intestines. A gallon or more of mineral oil may be given via stomach tube if the horse has gorged himself on feed, is impacted, or has been poisoned. If the colic is caused by a twist or a severe blockage, surgery may be needed. If a section of the intestine has been twisted or blocked for long, it may die off. That section will have to be removed, and the healthy ends stitched together. Colic surgery is often expensive, but it may be needed to save the horse's life...
2007-03-09 02:16:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
If you think this is serious, and considering the age of the horse, I would suggest that you pay the extra money and have a vet come out right away......early treatment can be a lifesaver, and colic is not something that the vet should NOT say "Wait 3 days and then I'll be there"
Is the only symptom the one you described? It doesn't sound like colic....but then again.......I'm not sure I understand.
Are you sure she isn't just scratching her cheekbone with her back hoof? I know it sounds weird, but my horses do this sometimes. She may be doing it a lot because something is bothering her.....She will bring her back hoof up and swing her head around reall low and scratch it....sort of like a dog......
If you ever suspect colic you need to call the vet and they should come out ASAP.......
2007-03-09 11:23:09 · answer #2 · answered by edpcreations 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I completely agree with the ...X post a colicing horse can not wait, but I have never seen a horse do that for colic.....are you sure she isn't just trying to scratch her nose? Maybe her teeth are bothering her as well.
In colic they bite or kick at their stomach- not their head. If you press your head on her stomach, you would hear faint or no gut sounds. She also may be rolling, shivering, sweating, etc.
If you have any banamine (always good to have that and bute at your stable at all times), you can give a dose of that- it is a pain reliever/mild colic treater of a sort. If anything, it isn't going to hurt her (unless she is allergic to it, of course)
My mare is an idiot and forgets to drink water sometimes so she gets a mild colic. A gram of banamine or bute and she passes it and is fine.
2007-03-09 02:23:49 · answer #3 · answered by D 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My horses do this right before they deficate.
If your horse is mildly coliced, you might want to walk her around a bit to ease the pressure in the belly. If it is the common Sand Collic, you can buy some Psyllium to give her. My vet told me to double the recommended dose on the package. Another thing I was told that you can do for a Sand Coliced horse is to let them graze on green grass. I understand that this also helps sand to pass.
2007-03-09 02:20:50 · answer #4 · answered by Veneta T 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If she is trying to touch her face maybe her teeth are hurting her or she has an ulcer or something in her mouth. It doesn't sound like colic. If it was colic she would not do every day. GOOD LUCK
2007-03-09 04:07:05 · answer #5 · answered by sarah 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you think your horse is colicing, PLEASE have the vet come out immediately!! I had to put my horse down due to colic, its not something to mess around with.
2007-03-09 02:23:54 · answer #6 · answered by jamie c 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to your feed store and see what they have on hand that might address this problem.
2007-03-09 02:07:54 · answer #7 · answered by mabroox 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋