Colic

[dannyboy]

Thanks everyone.

Murphy seems to eat his morning feed of bran but refuses his evening feed. His water bucket last night wasn't touched or virtually nothing out of it.
Thanks for the link Spotti - its amazing just how much water a horse needs and Murphy is virtually taking nothing.
I'll go now Jen and put some apple juice in his water and take the chill out of it Ceej- its worth a try.

I've left another message for the vet today and am awaiting his contact.

Sorry Rac I should have explained better , Murphy was in the concrete yard yesterday with the stable door open incase he wanted to lie down, so plenty of room to move around. The mucky paddock to the side is only seperated by a fence so Murphy & Casper were touching noses most of the day

The vet said I should do this to ensure Murphy didn't eat Casper's hay. I have however put Murphy into the larger mucky area today so he has more room - much to the diapproval of Casper! I did notice that Murphy was nibbling on the stray hay so I hope that is OK.

Its totally amazing how much you love your own wee (big) pet and I can honestly say the big lad knows just how much!! He's been putting his wee head into me for kisses & hugs and thats just not usual.

Thanks again everyone. xx

[scattymare]

How is he in himself now DB? Fluids really are critical. Unfortunately one of the first things they seem to do when in pain is stop drinking. I tried everything to tempt both Sancy and Eddie when they were going through this but neither wanted to know and both were given fluids manually (by drip and stomache tube) by my vet within 12 hours of them not drinking. To be honest your vet needs a kick up the jacksie!! They should treat colic as an emergency and I'm amazed they're not returning your calls. I would consider calling somebody else out. I don't mean to scare you but if he is still compacted, the longer it is left, the more chance there is of it leading to a displacement of the gut.
It's awful feeling helpless for them and you need the vet behind you.
xxx

[ceej]

I agree with Scatty - your vet isnt taking this seriously enough - impacted colic can cause peritonitis if it continues and the impaction perferates the gut (and that really is serious) - especially if he is eating bran but still not pooing...the fluid intake is worrying too...id get another vet out as it is continuing for too long....

keep us posted DB, big hug xx

[Jen]

i have to say that if the vet is behaving like that then i would be getting somebody else out to have a look at the big lad, he has gone without fluids for too long now and it certainly wont be helping matters at all

[jane]

So sorry, I hope he is on the mend xxx

[dannyboy]

The vet came at 6pm, he said it could go either way. He gave him painkillers, done rectal examination, gave him fluids with some other stuff whisked in. Not allowed to feed him.

I have to ring the vet first thing tomorrow morning with update. Next option is parrifin but as this can lead to complications he's put it off today.

He seems to be a little bit more perkier since the fluids but he's not touching the water and hasn't poo'ed.

[fimacg]

oh good grief DB, fingers crossed for you. I don't have anything else to suggest. keep us updated.

[ceej]

Thinking of u and Murphy DB, I really hope things improve tonight...I know how awful this situation is. Xxx

[racaille]

Come on big fella ... thinking of you both DB.

[brigadier]

Keep positive Dannyboy, we are all thinking of you both and keeping our hopes up x

[spotti]

How is he this morning?

[kitcat]

Fingers crossed for you. How is he this morning?

[duckles]

Ive only seen this DB and am very shocked. Poor Murphy. Fingers and everything crossed that all will be ok. Am thinking of you xx

[fimacg]

any more news?

[dannyboy]

I really appreciate all your support I know alot of you have been in a similar position and just knowing that helps me.

Update today - Another small poo late morning and he seems more alert. The fluids probably done him good.

I spoke to the vet at 4pm with another update and he advised to give him a handful of his normal feed / soaked. He ate it all.

I am to monitor him and report back to the vet later this evening.

Would he not be poo'ing more or is it because he hasn't practically ate for days?

[scattymare]

Well it is a bit of a vicious circle, he won't be pooing much as he's not eating much. Ask your vet about giving him some small very sloppy feeds, very little and often so you can monitor exactly what is going in and out! Its tricky with an impaction as you can't allow any build up of additional food but equally so, a horse starving for long periods buggers up the digestive system too.
With Eddies first case (suspected impaction) she was starved for 24 hrs then the following day she was allowed to graze for short periods in hand (5 minutes every couple of hours). By the second evening the vets had introduced small handfulls of soaked hay, again on a little and often basis. On day 3 she came home and was allowed turnout on sparce grazing and soaked hay.
Did the vet feel for an impaction again on the last visit? Heart rate and temperature should also be able to assist with how much pain he's in as well as gut noises to see how things are passing through - all things your vet should be checking on each visit and letting you know.
When Sancy coliced the vet was out 6 times over the 24 hour period, each time checking these things and giving painkillers and twice administered fluids (the second time was when we knew we'd lost her)
With Eddie she was referred straight to hospital the first time and she was monitored constantly and again fluids given via drip.
If you're in any way not happy with his progress, keep on at the vet.

It sounds like he's perking up so may just be a bit miserable and sore. Still got everything crossed x

[fleabitten]

Glad hes starting to eat again, he must be feeling a bit better. big hugs! X

[solomon]

Keep strong Murph and DB. Big hugs xxx

[dannyboy]

Unfortunately no good news to report back. Murphy was given 3 feeds last night and one this morning re: vets instructions but he hasn't poo'ed and is looking very unwell. Still not drinking either, although when I have been giving his feeds, I've made it into a soup and he's lapped it up.

He has to be monitored (I think I've been up all night checking on him - its great that I have them at home) and report back to the vet. If still no poo by 12noon the vet will be called to put the parrifin down. This is something he wanted to avoid but I think we have very little options left to us now.

[fleabitten]

Oh dear, poor boy fingers crossed he is ok X

[fimacg]

Oh ****! fingers crossed for both of you.

[ceej]

DB this is so worrying.

I really think you should just speak to another vet for a second opinion...Murphy should be on a drip by now. His risk of peritonitisi is now quite great. Ben was on a drip after 48 hours and had paraffin pretty early on, with twio tummy taps to check for infection. This was 15 years ago so i cant remember all the details but I remember my mum and being there full time for about 4 days walking him with the drip, horrible drenches, and the vet being there about 5 times a day (the vet bill was 3 k all that time ago!) It wont hurt just to speak to another vet to see if they agree with the course of treatment? I wonder why your vet is so loathed to do the drench? Has he even tubed him to remove the stomach gases?

[racaille]

Crud. Why doesn't the vet want to give him paraffin? I know it is rather old-fashioned but it does seem to work. Paco was drenched with it when he got colic from eating his straw bedding (last time on straw, that was for certain!)

Fingers crossed for you both.

[ceej]

DB I have done a bit of research this morning and every single piece I come across advocates early (and frequent) stomach dosing (not just with parafin, but all sortsand reduction of stomach gases. I think your vet is wrong and I really really urge you to call another for their opinion....

eg www.horseandhound.co.uk/horsecare/1379/58508.html

[fimacg]

did the vet give him any drugs - I think its called something like relaxin to help them shift any blockage out. Vets did that straight away with Chompy.

Also if you put your ear on his side can you hear any gut sounds/rumbles a heathly horse should always hear rumbles/grumbles from inside... compare with Casper to see what I mean. If you cant hear any then also let your vet know.