Have the following ready:

• Owner's name and phone number
• Name, age, breed, sex of the horse
• Description of the problem
• Insurance company name and phone number (if applicable)
• Paper and pencil to write down instructions

Call the Hospital (805-239-0461). If you get a recording, leave a message that includes a phone number where you can be reached. Stay by the phone. Your call will be returned promptly.

Colic is a common problem for horse owners. Despite improvements in horse husbandry and veterinary medicine, colic continues to be the most common cause of death in horses. Most colic cases are resolved by themselves or with simple medical therapy at the farm. About 20% require more extensive medical or surgical intervention. Despite the small percentage of horses requiring extended medical and surgical treatment, examining a horse with colic requires the veterinarian to consider the following:

“Is this a case that can be treated with simple therapy at home, or is hospitalization and/or surgery indicated?”

When considering the need for extended medical or surgical therapy the following must be considered:

• Pain
• The ability to control pain
• Duration of the pain
• Response to analgesic medication
• Need for repeated medications
• Persistent depression
• Elevated heart rate
• Mucus membrane color
• Gastric reflux after passage of a stomach tube

In summary, most horses with uncomplicated colic respond to simple treatment and in some cases resolve without any treatment at all. However, prompt action is often critical to the survival of the horse. Owners can contribute their horse’s health by:

• Keeping the veterinarian informed of the progress of the horse.
• Having transportation readily available should the horse require immediate hospitalization.

Ulcers of the stomach and or intestine can occur in adult horses as they do in people. Two of the more common causes are stress and the use of nosteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone or banamine. The horse’s stomach continually secretes acid. When the horse is denied access to food for intermittent periods, large ulcers may develop within 48 hours. Horses turned out to graze usually do not develop gastric ulcers. The following situations warrant careful observation for the development of gastrointestinal ulcers:

• Weight loss
• Poor performance
• Recurrent back pain
• Loss of condition
• Shipping the horse while it is receiving NSAIDs
• Chronic problems requiring long term NSAIDs
• Laminitis
• Chronic colic
• Dehydration
• Behavioral abnormalities

Signs of gastrointestinal ulcers in adult horse include low-grade intermittent colicky behavior, unthriftiness, decreased performance, and possibly some diarrhea. Gastric ulcers can be confirmed by video endoscopy of the stomach.. This procedure requires the horse be fasted for 12 hours and held without water for 2 to 4 hours prior to the endoscopic examination. At Estrella Equine Hospital all horses are sedated and examinations are performed utilizing video endoscope. Gastric lesions are recorded onto a CD for documentation and future comparison.

Ulcers of the stomach and or intestine can occur in foals as they do in people. Neonatal and suckling foals are more likely to develop an ulcer if subject to such risk factors as:

• Complications at delivery
• Minor or major illness
• Unusual environmental factors (adverse weather during foaling; foaling in an undesirable location)
• Chronic problems associated with casting or splinting procedures, pneumonia, gastrointestinal problems, etc…
• An unusual response to the use of NSAID’s for the relief of inflammation
• Transport

Signs of gastrointestinal ulcers in foals are depression, grinding of the teeth, salivation, rolling and colic. For most foals diarrhea, poor growth, rough haircoat and a pot bellied appearance may be typical signs of intestinal ulcers. Affected foals sometimes find comfort by rolling onto their back and propping themselves against the stall wall. Diagnosis is aided by observing these signs and can be confirmed by gastroendoscopy. This procedure requires sedation and an examination using a video endoscope. Gastric lesions are recorded onto a CD for documentation and further comparison.

• Wrap tail
• Clean vaginal area with Ivory soap and water
• Wash hands thoroughly

• Note the bag as it comes out of the mare. If it is red, open immediately and pull out the foal. If white, leave it alone.
• Note the position of the foal as it comes out, clear sack from head and clear nostrils.
• Do not cut umbilical cord - let the mare do it.
• Save the placenta in a bag for the veterinarian to examine.
• Give foal an enema after the cord has broken.
• Dip the navel in 2% Iodine after the cord is broken.

• Foal should stand in 1 hour
• Foal should nurse in 2 hours
• Placenta should be passed in 2 hours. If not call veterinarian.
• Take the temperature of the mare and foal every morning for 1 week.