The first step after examination of this horse with colic is to administer xylazine/butorphanol, flunixin meglumine, and possibly N-butylscopolammonium bromide.
Clinical signs are variable for colic – depression or anxiety, poor appetite, changes in manure (decreased/increased, dry/diarrhea), laying down, flehmen, sweating, biting at flanks, kicking at belly, stretching out, getting up and down, and rolling.
Most colic requires treatment – the majority of cases resolve with medical treatment, but some require surgery. Routine initial Dx/Tx includes sedation/analgesics (xylazine/butorphanol), anti-spasmodics/anti-inflammatories (N-butylscopolammonium bromide/flunixin meglumine), abdominal palpation per rectum, passing a nasogastric tube, administering enteral or IV fluids.
Click here for a great overview on colic, including images, from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Image courtesy of Nora Grenager, VMD, DACVIM.
