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  Discussion on Sluggish cecum: colic
Author Message
New Member:
Kelly96

Posted on Monday, Aug 8, 2005 - 12:28 pm:

Dr. O,
I have been having a colic problem with my horse, 'Vegas', for a year now. It has become apparent that there is a re-occurance of colic every 12-14 weeks. Most of the time the colic is mild and can be handled without vet intervention by giving a concoction of 2 bute, milk of magnesia and baking soda and water. The last time however, was a little more scacy...he became impacted. Vet was called, treated with minerial oil and meds, and 'Vegas' recovered well.
The issue I am having is the occurance of the colic. It is like clockwork. I board at a large stable with approximately 30 head of horses. We worm every 3 months and of those 4 times a year- 2 are tubewormings. This is required of the stable owners and the worming rotation is at the vets recommendation.
The vet has diagnosed 'Vegas' with a sluggish cecum. Within the last 8 months we started making changes in his diet. First, his feed was changed to an extrudent feed, he coliced just like clockwork at the 12 week mark.... then we started him on probics, he coliced again at the 14 week mark. At the vet's advice, I am now to feed him a cup of vegetable oil every day. That in itself is quite a mess, since he hates it. The only way to get it into him is to mix it with a cup of sweet feed and almost a cup of molasses. (He turns away from his feed if I just mix in it.)Or to give it to him in a syringe orally. I usually end up wearing most of it.
The vet also said that there is the possibility that we can give him a sand colic treatment, but to try the oil first. After doing alittle research on this it seems that there is debate whether psyllum really even works. The barn owners will not go to the extreme of helping feed my horse his current concocction of oil, sweet feed and molasses. I can not be at the barn every day to feed it myself but with the help of friends we have been giving it to him everyday. My horses health is absolutely the main priority with me, but this treatment is quite an imposition on me and my friends. Would treating him with the sand colic preventation once a month be as effective as giving the oil? Is the oil I am giving right now even good for him because of the sweet feed and molasses?
Please help!!! We are coming up on 10 weeks now and 'Vegas' is due....
New Member:
Kelly96

Posted on Monday, Aug 8, 2005 - 12:47 pm:

PS Should I be worming on a more frequent schedule?
Member:
Frances

Posted on Monday, Aug 8, 2005 - 3:20 pm:

Kelly: which wormers are you using?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 9, 2005 - 6:19 am:

Hello Kelly,
There is no diagnostic finding or laboratory test for "a sluggish cecum". They just don't want to say "we don't know". So let's take your post from the specific points above to the more general or what to do to diagnose your problem:

First, vegetable oil is digested and absorbed fairly rapidly and will not act as a lubricant that prevents colic. It should be looked upon as a high energy nutrient that you can learn more about at Care for Horses » Nutrition » Fats and Oils in the Diet of Horses

Second the efficacy of psyllium and the proper treatment for sand colic is addressed in the article Equine Diseases » Colic and GI Diseases » Colic in Horses » Sand Colic. If sand colic is suspected you should follow our suggestions there.

But it really sounds like it is uncertain why Vegas has these episodes. The article that will help you the most with this is Equine Diseases » Colic and GI Diseases » Colic in Horses » An Overview of Colic. It will talk about the possible causes and how they are diagnosed.

Like LL I would like to know more before commenting on the deworming program. For instance what is the stocking rate of the pastures, pasture maintenance, and have there been any fecals run. You can study how these effect your need to deworm and see our recommended schedules at Care for Horses » Deworming & Parasite Control.
DrO
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