Bran Mash and Colic?

[kckatt]

Well, my horse, Rosie, got colic today. We called like three vets but none of them could come, so my friend had a shot of something that started with a B.
I'm not sure what it was :confused: this is the first time one of my horses got colic.

Anyway my friend said it could be that she wasn't drinking enough, and to soak her food in water tonight or give her a bran mash. Does anyone now any?

And could she have a "relapse" of colic? We don't know what it was that caused it but it could be the hay(we have a round bale and some has molded but most is OK) or lack of water.

Thanks for anything you can give me!!

[Manda]

Your friend gave your horse Banamine, incase you were curious. It's an anti-inflammatory that helps with colic pain.

If you couldn't get a vet out today, try to get one out as soon as possible to help you with this, that is your best bet.

I've only dealt with sand impaction colic. I've never heard of lack of water being a cause of colic.

She could have a relapse, so incase a vet can't get out, you should have banamine on hand until you can get a vet out to give you a clear diagnosis.

Best of luck and please keep us updated.

[kckatt]

k, thank you so much I will keep yall updated.

[aub TVF]

Just giving you my thoughts and feelings having had a recent colic at my barn due to the cold... First off, often times horses will not drink nearly frozen or really cold water. This might in fact lead to a colic. No water will quite possibly effect the degestion process.... That being said... It is a good idea to make sure that his water is 60-70 degrees to elimanate the possibility of dehidration. In addition if he has in fact coliced you should monitor his water intake anyway. Electrolites is a simple supplement that will stimulate thirst ie. hydration which is very important in terms of clearing any sort of intesinal blockage. I think that your friend might have given your horse Banimine. This can be purchaced from your vet in a tube of paste, oral form and is a good idea just to have for this very insatance. This is a muscule relaxer as well as pain manager which in a colic case is given to ease the intestines if thier is any sort of twist or blockage which is what most of the time is the cause of colic. As for the bran mash. This goes back to water intake. Givng a warm bran mash will attempt to induce the flow of any "stuck" feed that is causing discomfort as well as the fiber encouraging the passage of manure. Another good idea is to wet his hay while only introducing small amounts at a time until you are sure he is feeling better as to not contribute to more of a problem. Per the reocurance... Any horse can colic. It is a good idea to make yourself firmiliar with your horse and know his eating habits. The warm water electrolite suggestion is a good thing to consider when it is this cold if only as a simple precaution. Having said all of this. It is a wise idea to monitor temp. water intake, food intake, and passage of manure during an occurance such as this so that if it comes to a point in which a vet needs to be called you will be informed and have all of the awnsers to the questions a vet would have in order to care for him. Lastly, do some research on the internet if only for the purpose of educating yourself, so that you might be more prepared if you are ever faced with this situation again. Knowledge is always your best defense.