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What can I give my horse for colic?

3 min read

Asked by: Donnie Loc

Medical treatment for colic may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as banamine (flunixine meglumine) to alleviate pain and inflammation. The administration of fluids, electrolytes, and/or mineral oil via the nasogastric tube placed in the horse’s stomach may also help.

How do you treat colic in horses at home?

Feed a forage-based diet (based on hay or grass) and limit the amount of grain you feed. Make sure your horse always has fresh, clean water available. Allow your horse to get plenty of daily exercise with turnout and/or riding. Feed certain supplements such as probiotics to keep the gut functioning smoothly.

What do you give a horse when it colics?

If there’s minimal fluid, your veterinarian can use the tube to give mineral oil, water, and/or other laxatives. Mineral oil and laxatives may relieve an impaction, and water can rehydrate your horse. Both mineral oil and water can stimulate gut motility.

How do you comfort a horse with colic?

Most mild colics will even clear up from just a simple brisk walk. Try to walk the horse to keep them comfortable, but never to the point of exhaustion. Never aggressively exercise the horse. It is important that a horse maintains hydrated and energy levels up.

Does colic in horses go away on its own?

A colic case might be mild and pass on its own, but some cases can be indicative of a more serious problem that will need veterinary care. This article would suggest how you can tackle most cases of colic.

Does beer help colic in horses?

Spasmodic colic is the type of colic most likely to respond to beer as a treatment. This type of colic is typically caused by muscle spasms in the intestines. It’s kind of like indigestion.

Does Bute help colic?

Bute is usually given for musculoskeletal pain, such as lameness. Whereas Banamine is usually given for smooth muscle pain (ie: colic) or ocular discomfort (ie: corneal ulcers). Bute should only be given for a short duration of time as prolonged use can result in gastric ulcers or kidney and liver problems.

Should I feed a horse with colic?

Immediately after an impaction colic episode, it is recommended to feed small low-bulk meals of grass, alfalfa pellets or cubes, or chopped hay for several days afterward. There is a higher chance of re-impaction within 48-72 hours.

Can you give a horse Pepto Bismol for colic?

Bismuth subsalicylate, commonly known as the human product Pepto-Bismol®, is not recommended for horses.

Should you give a colic horse water?

Most horses drink 8-10 gallons of water per day. Horses that colic usually have a reduced water intake that may last several days. Warm, clean water should be provided for your horse – if the horse does not drink, try providing a bucket of electrolyte water in addition to the bucket of fresh water.

Will banamine help colic?

BANAMINE Injectable Solution is recommended for the alleviation of inflammation and pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders in the horse. It is also recommended for the alleviation of visceral pain associated with colic in the horse.

How much mineral oil do you give a horse for colic?

Dosage and Administration

Mineral oil
Method Dosage Period
Oral 10 ml/kg Daily
For colic
Nasogastric tube 3-4 quarts (adult), 0.5 quarts (foal) Treatment

What is the most common cause of colic in horses?

The causes of colic are numerous, but generally they are related to the anatomy and the microflora of the horse’s gastrointestinal tract. Some more common causes of colic include: High grain based diets/Low forage diets. Moldy/Tainted feed.