The Horse:Your Guide To Equine Health Care provides monthly equine health care information to horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, barn/farm managers, trainer/riding instructors, and others involved in the hands-on care of the horse.
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20 TheHorse.com THE HORSE December 2017 meal. If the horse is also producing less manure, it's even greater cause for alarm. The horse might be restless or lethargic, too. "Some horses stretch out and act like they need to urinate," Anderson says. Distinguishing normal from abnormal bowel sounds is another important skill to have. Start listening for bowel sounds in your healthy horse, using a stethoscope if you prefer, so you'll recognize what's unusual for him. Know Whom to Contact and When Most importantly, establish your emer- gency veterinary contact before you need one. Save your veterinarian's number to your cell phone contacts under the name "Vet," so it's easy to find even if you're in a panic or if someone else needs to make the call. Don't be afraid to use that number, either. A call to report a colicky horse doesn't mean you're bothering your veterinarian. Pick up the phone as soon as you see the first signs. "So many people think, 'Oh I'll just walk him around or give him some Banamine to see how he does before I call the vet,'" Anderson says. "But I recommend always contacting the vet first. Then the vet can (advise on what to do now and) come out later, or right away if the symptoms are severe." Waiting too long is bad for both your horse and your wallet, says Isgren. "Sometimes people call too late," she says. "It's really frustrating. The horse has been colicking all day, and they finally call us at 8 p.m. Or maybe he's been 'off- color' for a few days with an impaction that's not violently painful, but just keeps getting worse and worse over time. The longer you wait, the harder it is to get the impaction to shift. And you also risk irreversible colon damage." Know What Could Happen A prepared owner is also an informed owner. Read about the types of colic, how they're treated, the decisions you could face, the costs involved, and treatment success (or failure) rates. "Mostly, owners should realize how optimistic they can be about colic now," Anderson says. "We've come very far in treating horses for colic, especially in surgical cases." Colic surgery for nonstrangulating lesions (injury or disease has dam- aged the intestine, but blood supply is not compromised), when performed in established referral clinics, has close to a 100% success rate, she says. If the lesion is strangulating—such as with the aforementioned pendunculated lipomas or any sort of entrapment or twist—the What's Your COLIC Contingency Plan? Have an established veterinary contact, and call him or her as soon as you recognize colic signs. Delays hurt both your horse and your wallet. PAULA DA SILVA/ARND.NL Equi-Mast ® Gastric Formula Kaeco Equi-Mast ® is designed as an equine digestive aid to assist in maintaining a healthy equine gastrointestinal system and to support in the control of stomach ulcers. Ideal for race and performance horses. Directions for Use: Horses - Top dress 1 scoop (1 oz.) top dress twice daily for seven days. Follow with one scoop daily or as needed or as recommended by your veterinarian. Find out for yourself why Equi-Mast ® is a preferred treatment for gastric ulcers. Go online at www.kaeco.com and view our Equi-Mast ® videos compiled by noted Equine Specialists Dr. John Marcotte and Dr. Carl Martin or we will send you a convenient flash drive upon request – kaeco@stjoelive.com or 800.228.1211 Kaeco Group, Inc. P.O. Box 89 Savannah, MO 64485-0089 800.228.1211 • Fax 816.324.6279 kaeco@stjoelive.com Available In: 60 Dose Supply Made in the USA U.S. PATENT # 9,694,042 w i t h M a s t i c G u m