- We are aware of many diseases affecting human beings severely and leading to their death. Horses Die Of Stomachache
- But did you know, that animals also suffer some dangerous painful diseases causing their death?
- The horse is one of the fastest running animals widely tamed and domesticated by people for business purposes. Also, we can see them at different official and religious events.
- But, are you aware of the fact that eighty percent of horses die of abdominal pain?
- In this, we would learn about this disease and its effect in detail.
The “COLIC” disease in horses Or The Reason of Horses Die Of Stomachache.
- Colic is considered to be a symptom of abdominal pain in horses.
- The term ‘colic’ defines all types of gastrointestinal conditions leading to pain as well as other abdomen-related disorders.
- Colic disease mainly affects the colon part of the stomach causing excessive contractions resulting in pain.
- Colic is of different types, each having different characteristics and surgical treatments.
- Colic surgery is one of the expensive processes which requires utmost care even after the surgery. But is necessary for horses suffering from the disease, else it can lead to their premature death.
- Through the average lifespan of horses, about 4 to 10 percent population of horses suffer from a colic incidence.
- On the onset of symptoms of colic, a horse must be taken o a veterinarian to get into good condition.
- Colic if left untreated can cause death in a merely short period.
Pathophysiology of “Colic”
Colic once identified, could be further categorized into several types:
- Simple blockade
- Choking obstruction
- Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (enteritis, colitis)
- Extreme gas buildup in the intestine (gas colic)
- Non-suffocating infarction
- Occurrence of ulcers in the gastrointestinal mucosa
Such pathophysiology may result due to the effect of parasites present in the abdomen. Some of them are detailed as follows:
1) Parasite- Cyathostomes.
- Cyathostomes can result in Acute diarrhea.
- They are worms that are encysted as maggots in the bowel wall of horses. Such parasites show their effect mainly during the winter season. Horses Die Of Stomachache
- This action reveals, a typical “pepper and salt” color of the large intestines.
2) Parasite- Ascarids (roundworms).
- Such worms are commonly observed in young aged horses due to a very heavy infestation of Parascaris quorum.
- They tend to block and rupture the small intestine.
- Deworming action in heavily infected horses may cause a severe immune response to the dead worms Further, this can damage the intestinal wall and cause deadly peritonitis.
- Small intestinal blockages can take place with Parascaris equorum. This may require colic surgery to remove them manually. Horses Die Of Stomachache
- Horses are capable of developing immunity to parascarids between 6 months of age and one year. Therefore, this condition is rare in adult horses.
3) Parasite- Large strongyles.
- They are majorly known as Strongylus Vulgaris and are known to cause colic disease.
- Due to this, the small intestine and the large colon are affected.
- Treatment of colic chiefly includes typical management of colic symptoms. The administration of aspirin can also be used to reduce the risk of thrombosis. Horses Die Of Stomachache
- Surgery should be avoided to prevent any after-surgery effects.
4) Parasite-Tapeworms.
- Tapeworms are largely responsible for causing colic to be present at the junction of the cecum.
- Their most common species is Anoplocephala perfoliata. Horses Die Of Stomachache
