| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
|
Arachnid
Platinum Member
 England
1872 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Feb 2009 : 6:55:51 PM
|
Poor Spider has suffered from two bouts of colic in two months. The first one was quite mild and went away after he was given a muscle relaxant by the vet and the second one was not-so-mild but still responded to the muscle relaxant. Vet has taken a blood test in case he has tape worms which he says are sometimes resistant to normal wormers and can cause recurrent colic. Any other ideas in case he draws a blank? He has suffered from very mild colic in the past. I wondered whether it was something to do with eating the snow to get to the grass but vet thinks not.
|
   
West Sussex |
|
Report to moderator
|
|
|
Cryapakah
Silver Member
278 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2009 : 09:42:44 AM
|
| Our mare Maddie suffered a nasty colic attack nearly a year ago. We've found that frost, snow, freezing cold water, hay not in 2 haynets and too much grass to gorge on will make her colic. You know your horse better than your vet and if hes started colicing when we've randomly got snow, then go with the snow as the cause. |
Report to Moderator  |
|
|
barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2009 : 3:17:33 PM
|
Try a good quality pre/pro-biotic as that may cure it. I had a 7 month foal who started to colic and the colics were getting more frequent. They always cleared up straight away with a jab from the vet. I bought an expensive pre/pro biotic from mile end equestrian (they have a website) called Acti-Premium and she never colicked again and is now three years old. They will send it out the same day if you order in the morning for next day delivery.
Worth a try if there is no other obvious reason for the colics.
Barbara |
    |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2009 : 7:42:47 PM
|
Thanks for replies both of you. Will have a look into the probiotics Barbara. Blood test hasnt come back yet. He doesnt look like a horse with tapeworms, hes looking quite fat for Spider at the minute (same food, less work) Just too much coincidence that both bouts of colic followed snowy or frost days.
|
West Sussex |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
RiffRaff
Silver Member
271 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2009 : 8:09:01 PM
|
Just wondered if you or your vet think he is drinking enough? My old boy kept getting colic as he wouldnt drink cold water so had to warm up his water a bit for him, found this helped a lot. Hope this helps  |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2009 : 3:17:01 PM
|
Just thought you might all like to know what happened with the blood tests. Tests are showing a significant tapeworm burden so all the horses are now to be wormed with a tapewormer and retested to make sure it has worked. So not only is the vet young, handsome and charming but also RIGHT!
Scarily we should also be worming all the people for tapeworm. Fellow livery is planning to use the horse wormer on her family. I am reluctant to part with mine, might mean I have to eat sensibly if it leaves. All families have had to discuss worms at at least one meal much to all of our husbands' disgust! |
West Sussex |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Karon
Gold Member
England
1411 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2009 : 12:49:11 PM
|
Ah, the ideal vet - young, handsome and charming  Being right is always a bonus!
I'm paranoid about worming now (another thing for me to worry about) since Rash had peritonitis - probably not caused by worms but nevertheless it is one possible cause. Not so sure I fancy a dose of Pramox for myself though!! |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Kazzy
Platinum Member
England
3335 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2009 : 1:41:30 PM
|
What wormer have you used for Tapeworms?
Its just that your story sounds very familiar to mine, mild colic attacks at this time of year!!!! My vet thinks it could be worm related becuase nothing change din his diet/excerise/routine etc etc.
and said if he has another bout they will blood test him for worms.
btw he is wormed very regularly and I use Equimax.
Thanks.
Janet |
     
Sunny Cheshire |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
shah
Gold Member
England
1356 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2009 : 6:20:04 PM
|
YIKES 
Glad he's better though!! I'll give you a call later today or tomorrow to catch up. |
West Sussex |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2009 : 6:52:09 PM
|
Rafa its Equitape we are using on the vet's recommendation (although we are buying it directly as its much cheaper) Then Spider is going to be retested to make sure hes not just resistant to the tapewormer as they are all wormed regularly anyway. We do have badgers and foxes living in and around the grazing and this is allegedly the problem.
Karon - it wasnt a problem to blood test so might be nice to rule it out for your boy.
The husbands have presented a united front against being wormed!
Shah - Just rang you and left message have left landline no |
West Sussex |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Karon
Gold Member
England
1411 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2009 : 7:09:53 PM
|
| I think I'll use Pramox in the spring then get a blood test done as well just to be on the safe side. Neurotic, me? Never.... Glad you've found out what's wrong, they are such a worry! |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
tamila
Platinum Member
England
2532 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2009 : 5:34:56 PM
|
| Milly my 25 yr old mare used to get colic regularly and we never found out why. I have fed her Lakota Salts, available from Badminton Feeds, everyday since and it has never returned. Lakota Salts keeps the disgestive tract clean and so the good bacteria can adhere to the surface which makes it more efficient. |
   |
| Report to Moderator |
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked 