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  Discussion on Colic or Tying up...?
Author Message
Member:
campr2

Posted on Friday, Nov 9, 2007 - 6:36 pm:

Hi and thanks for any help you can give me.
I have a 13 yr old QH. Yesterday I found him in his stall and noticed he was a bit drawn up in the flank area. When I touched his flank or under the back of his belly by the flank area the whole area twitched and drew up even more and I could see his discomfort. He is sunk in at the flank making his belly in front of the flank hard and very sensitive. His temp is normal and heart rate 28. I called the vet but he couldnt come out. My horse had regular manure from the day, and had drank water and ate his feed. He is on grass hays and only 1/2# of pellets to mix his salt and supp in. I was told by the vet to walk him and watch him. He continues to be very sensitive in the flank/belly area. Would this be a colic coming on or could he be tying up? He was started on a riding program 3 wks ago as I hadnt had the time to ride for several months. We have been riding out 2 x a week for about 1-1/2 ride the last being 5 days ago (Sat). If he is tying up, could it take that long to? He is pooping but is on 1/3 rations at this time so hes not going as much. Also he is a very easy keeper. Again, thanks for any thoughts. The vet said feed lightly for a few days and watch him. He told me today to give him 2 grams of bute and see if that helps. Thanks, Donna
Member:
scooter

Posted on Friday, Nov 9, 2007 - 8:20 pm:

Hi Mason, how did your horse move when you walked him? Did bute bring any improvement?

I wouldn't think he would be tying up after 5 days.
Most horses won't eat if they are colicing...not even my hogs, they usually paw, roll, or something to let you know they have a belly ache...but not always I guess.

Have there been any changes in feed, I remember you said you were moving to Kentucky that had pastures full of grass....if he has been getting grass laminitis is a possibility. Hank tucked up and appeared "gant" when he started.

Just throwing some ideas out, it really is hard to tell with your description it could be just about anything. If it continues I would get the vet out to examine him asap.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Nov 10, 2007 - 7:40 am:

Diane is right Mason there is not much in your post to hang your hat on. When you say he is drawn up suggest he has not been eating or drinking well but you imply in your post that he is. Many horses are sensitive to being touched in the areas you describe and a reaction like you describe is really not predictive of any particular disease process. As long as a horse's vital signs remain normal it is unusual that a serious disease process is going on. For instance horses in pain have elevated heart rates suggesting pain is not part of what is going on.

For more on this and the other important vital signs see Diseases of Horses » First Aid » Taking Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration. For more on the symptoms seen with colic and tying up check their respective articles.
DrO
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