Colic in Horses: Part of a Clinical Lecture Recently Delivered at Columbia Veterinary College.

The article discusses colic in horses, its major causes, notable symptoms and the methods to treat each form of colic condition. It particularly emphasizes the injudicious management of horses by their owners or attendants as a primary cause for such conditions.

Summary of the Article

In this article written by a professor at Columbia Veterinary College, the primary focus is colic in horses. Colic is defined as abdominal pain, and it is a common ailment observed in equines. In the presentation, three primary forms of equine colic are discussed: spasmodic colic, flatulent colic, and inflammation of the stomach or bowels. Each form is characterized by unique symptoms, and the lecture provides a detailed overview of each.

Main Causes of Colic

The majority of colic cases are attributed to:

• Improper feeding and water practices leading to overeating and unhealthy intake habits
• Prolonged periods of food deprivation leading to ingestion of large quantities of food rapidly without sufficient mastication and salivation
• Indigestible food which cannot be expelled by vomiting due to the anatomical structure of the equine digestive system

Spasmodic Colic

• Characterised by spasmodic contraction of the muscular layer of some portion of the intestines
• Commonly due to irritants in the alimentary canal but can also be reflex action
• Possible causes include improper diet, sudden changes in diet, excessive food intake, cold draughts or drinks, exposure to cold water etc.

Primary Symptoms and Treatment

The symptoms include:

• Pain in the belly, pawing, stamping, and striking the belly with the hind feet
• Tossing around, sweating, delirious behaviour, wild and frantic eyes, and overall a very distressed appearance

The treatment for spasmodic colic typically involves:

• Use of anodynes, antispasmodics, cathartics, and enemas depending on the root cause of the colic
• Exploration of the case history to ascertain the cause of the attack and tailoring the treatment accordingly

The lecturer urges the medical practitioners to be mindful of the cause, ensuring that they tailor their treatments appropriately. For example, if the spasms are due to food, then a combination of anodynes, antispasmodics, and cathartics should be used. However, if the spasms are reflex and due to an external cause, then only antispasmodics and anodynes are required.

These are some of the key points from the paper. However, the paper also promises to cover flatulent colic and inflammation of the stomach or bowels in a subsequent lecture.