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Discussion on Still not interested in eating after colic
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Member:
Vallie
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 - 8:18 am:
Dr. O -- This past Sunday my gelding (approx age 20) starting showing signs of colic. After much hand walking with no change, I ended up taking him to the local urgent care facility. He was severely impacted and they tubed him several times Sunday night and Monday. He finely started passing manure late Monday evening. I was able to bring him home late yesterday afternoon (Tuesday). My instructions were to return to his normal routine.
Unfortunately, I cannot get a hold of my regular vet until later today and I'm a little concerned.
He is not really interested in his feed and is just nibbling at his hay. He is drinking water, though. He just doesn't seem himself. He's usually very animated at feeding time and can't wait to eat.
Should I be concerned that his appetite has not returned?
Thanks!
Karen
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 - 10:09 am:
Hello Karen,
I thought I would post because my gelding has had significant impactions...my vote is yes you should be concerned. Call your vet.
Can you graze him for 10 minutes at a time?
Will he go on the lunge at an easy trot for about 10 minutes? (sometimes it gets things jiggling around...I was told walking doesn't do a whole lot of good unless you catch it first thing- and I was also told that walking the horse was more for the owner...to think they are doing something)
Are you giving him bran mashes? Some people add mineral oil to the mashes.
When my gelding impacted (48 hours of no eating at all), I was told to bring him back slowly over 3 or 4 days...just to make sure. Small meals frequently.
Just some thoughts. I hope your boy is ok!
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Member:
Vallie
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 - 12:36 pm:
Thanks Aileen. We had to walk him on Sunday just to keep him from lying down and rolling until we could reach the vet and get him to the hospital. I hadn’t heard that that doesn’t do any good!
He doesn’t lunge, so that isn’t/wasn’t an option. He was in a lot pain on Sunday and would try and lay down without stopping! He’d almost just DrOp to the ground.
No, I don’t feed any type of bran mash, but he does get some corn oil in his grain.
Just to give a little more info on how bad his situation was . . . on Sunday evening after the 1st tubing with Magnalax and an injection of Banamine, he perked up some and seem to feel a little better. Then, sometime late Sunday night/early Monday morning he crashed and had to have constant monitoring. From what I’m told things were touch-and-go for a while. They tubed again with magnalax and water and finally he seemed to come around. They did this routine again late on Monday and finally he left them several large piles in his stall.
If I had to rate how he’s acting, I’d say he’s about 75% himself. Could it be that he just needs a little time to recover because of his age and how serious this was? I’m sure that it took a lot out of him.
Thanks,
Karen
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 - 12:58 pm:
Hi Karen,
To keep him from rolling, yes, you would have to walk him...with someone behind to keep him up as well. My horse never thrashed, rolled...so it wasn't an issue with him.
On the recovering, definately, my guy had two weeks off from work after his impaction (he told me when he was ready to work again)...bringing him slowly back to normal on his feeding regimen and he was only ten.
I absolutely hate impactions.
Hoping all is well.
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Member:
Deggert
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 - 4:02 pm:
Hi Karen,
Hope your horse is doing better, did they give him IV fluids when he was at the center and do you know if they found abnormalities on palpation?
I have not had a colic come back fairly quick except the one who went to surgery. Sounds good that he is drinking, but the question is, is he drinking for maintenance plus enough to help with the motility? I know fluids are expensive but once the catheter is in you can run the fluids yourself once a day which can help with the ranch calls. Good luck with him and hope he perks up soon.
PS I would not give any baled bermuda during this, it highly associated with small colon impactions 
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Member:
Vallie
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 - 4:45 pm:
Debbie -- They did give him fluids at the center to rehydrate him and to keep him hydrated and no, they didn't find any abnormalities. Thank god!
We don't feed bermuda . . . just a good timothy/orchard mix.
Thanks for you thoughts!
Karen
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 - 5:38 pm:
I agree with the above that there is some cause for concern. It is not normal for recovered simple impactions to be less than 100%. Usually I find once the impaction is passed things are fine. Have your vet out for a look and take the horse's temperature. I would not feed him if he still is not acting right until looked at by the vet.
DrO
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Member:
Vallie
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 - 6:34 pm:
Thanks everyone! He checked out just fine and is now back to almost (98%) eating, drinking & defecating normally. Vet was surprised that they did not have me bring him back to his normal feeding slowly. She believes that he was just totaly worn out from the whole ordeal and everything they pumped into his system and just needed a day to rest and recuperate.
Thanks again!
Karen
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