Equine Owner, Breeder and Caretaker Continuing Education Series

     The Equine Owner, Breeder and Caretaker Continuing Education Series is designed to provide timely and practical updates on equine healthcare topics from a diverse group of equine veterinarians with a broad expertise and experience in various aspects of horse health, well-being and performance. Courses will be offered on a quarterly basis and the inaugural session will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the College of Veterinary Medicine.  This first session will cover the important aspects of mare and foal care extending from late gestation through the first week of life. The cost of the course is $25. Registration includes conference instruction, notes, and refreshments. 

       

For more information & registration: www.vet.ohio-state.edu/ce

Ohio Horse Directory

     Although still in the early stages production, the Ohio Horse Directory is now online!  We hope this tool will be helpful and informative to everyone throughout the state. Therefore, we need your input as to the services available in your county. 

Please send your information to cole.436@osu.edu

Ohio Horse Directory: http://horse.osu.edu/OhioHorseDirectory/

Ask the Vet

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT COLIC IN YOUR HORSE?

By: Margaret C. Mudge, VMD, DACVS

Assistant Professor – Clinical, Equine Emergency & Critical Care

                                                       and

Rustin M. Moore, DVM, PhD, DACVS

Professor and Chair, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences

Galbreath Equine Center

College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University

Telephone: 614-292-6661

www.vet.osu.edu/hospital.htm

OVERVIEW

     Colic in the horse refers to signs of abdominal pain but it is not specific for the gastrointestinal tract, any segment (stomach, large colon, etc.) of the intestinal tract, or a specific cause (ulcers, impaction, displacement, torsion, etc.).  In fact, horses can demonstrate signs suggestive of abdominal pain with other non--gastrointestinal diseases, including such things as pleuropneumonia, uterine torsion, urinary tract stone, laminitis, hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, tying up and some neurologic diseases. An episode of colic can range from mild and intermittent to severe and prolonged. Every colic episode should be taken seriously because many conditions that cause colic can be rapidly progressing and even life threatening.  Colic is the most common natural cause of death in horses and is the number one reason horses are referred to the Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Galbreath Equine Center on an emergency basis. 

     The anatomy of the horse’s digestive system predisposes it to a number of problems that can lead to colic. Some causes of colic are referred to as intestinal accidents and are difficult or impossible to completely prevent; these typically involve twists (torsion or volvulus), incarcerations or other types of strangulating lesions where the intestinal blood supply becomes compromised. However, proper management can help prevent many forms of colic and the substantial expense that is often associated with treating a horse for colic. Below are some suggested management tips that should be considered in an attempt to reduce the risk of your horse developing colic.

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