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Ginger was normally turned out full time, but in
the preceding 48 hours she had been stabled
to keep another horse company. She had
been eating hay as normal but by the time
of presentation was off food. No droppings
had been passed in the last 12 hours.
Ginger was lying down and occasionally
attempting to roll. Her membranes were moist
and pink; indicating healthy circulation and
good hydration. Ginger’s heart and breathing
rates were normal and her temperature was
normal. Ginger had reduced gut sounds
and movement. A rectal examination was
performed after a small dose of intravenous
sedation was given.
Rectal examination is a useful to aid to
diagnosis, allowing the vet to carefully feel
for abnormalities in the back part of the
abdominal cavity. A rectal examination will
only be carried out when it is safe and
appropriate to do so, as there is the
possibility of injury to vet and horse.
Ginger was found to have a large ‘pelvic
flexure impaction’. The pelvic flexure is a
narrowing in the left colon which courses
through 180 o making it susceptible to
obstruction with food material. With continued
feeding, impactions can become larger,
causing colonic wall stretching and pain.
A diagnosis of a pelvic flexure impaction
was made and Ginger was treated with an
intravenous injection of an anti-inflammatory
drug for pain relief. A naso-gastric tube was
passed into her stomach, via the nose, to
administer several litres of an electrolyte
solution as well as three litres of mineral oil
(liquid paraffin). The electrolyte solution
increases hydration levels which can then
improve intestinal movement. The oil can,
in some cases, act as a lubricant to ease
the passage of the dry food material through
the bowel.
Advice was given to restrict feeding to treats
only, for example, carrots/apples/mints with
occasional walking out in hand for small
amounts of grazing. Water was available
constantly and not restricted.
Ginger was re-examined the following
day. The signs of abdominal pain had not
changed and rectal examination revealed the
impaction to be slightly firmer on palpation.
After discussion with her owner, Ginger was
transported to the clinic for monitoring and
further treatment. A nasogastric tube was
passed to administer further large volumes of
electrolyte solution. This was repeated every
few hours throughout the day to over hydrate
and soften the blockage, making it easier to
pass. To keep Ginger comfortable, the oral
fluid therapy was supplemented with low
doses of intra-venous pain relief. The restricted
diet and hand walking were continued to help
stimulate intestinal movement whilst preventing
the further build-up of food material in the gut.
24 hours after hospitalisation, Ginger was
more comfortable and was passing soft
droppings. Rectal examination confirmed the
impaction had softened markedly and
reduced in size. Ginger was monitored for a
further 12 hours during which time, she was
gradually weaned back onto her normal
ration before being discharged.
It is likely Ginger’s colic was associated with
her abrupt change in management from
turnout to stabling. It was also found that she
had sharp teeth which may have prevented
her from chewing her fibre sufficiently. Both
factors made her prone to impaction.
Ginger made a complete recovery and
now has her teeth checked annually. When
stabling is needed she is walked out regularly
and fed soaked fibre.
COL I C
Veterinary Surgeon
Aimi Duff
XLVets Equine Practice
Scott Mitchell
Associates
CASE REPORT...
Aimi Duff BVM&S MRCVS
Scott Mitchell Associates
Colic
treated with medical
management
Ginger
, a nine year old mare
presented with colic pain. She had
never been known to colic before,
and had been wormed regularly.
Ginger
7
EQUINE MATTERS
Assessing Ginger’s gut movements