The Problem

Colic can generally be termed as a bellyache from any number of different causes. Ulcers are one cause of colic due to stress, illness, NSAID use. Heavy parasite load can also cause colic and tiny ulcer lesions as well. Spasmodic colic is gas build-up due to grain, changes in feed, poor quality feed with mold, etc. Impaction of the colon due to sand or dirt build up—or even simply dehydration—can cause an obstruction that can most times be resolved with veterinary intervention, but sometimes requires hospitalization, even surgery.

If your horse suffered from a colic episode but is taking too long returning to normal, look into the possible/probable cause of his colic and understand the damage that could have occurred. Impaction from sand or dirt causes abrasions of the highly sensitive tissues and these will need to heal. An impaction also causes a decrease in blood flow to the affected area, and tissue damage can occur from hypoxia. Spasmodic colic can cause the intestine to be stretched and bruised and painful to heal. Dehydration-induced colic is quite severe as the colon is just not getting enough fluids and blood flow for motility. Ulcers from NSAID’s are very common, and internal parasites can also cause little ulcer lesions.

The small intestine and colon need to heal to resume normal digestive function. Speeding the healing process by increasing oxygenated blood flow to these stressed, bruised, injured or ulcerated tissues is extremely important. Coating and soothing the whole GI tract as nature intended with the mucus is equally important. The horse must eat and drink to keep the gut motile. If the small intestine or colon are sore and bruised he will not be willing to eat and drink as he should and his recovery could take longer and he could have a greater chance of a setback. Also, if he does want to eat, but his gut is not ready for the impact of the feed, he may also have another setback. 

Extreme care is necessary when caring for and rehabilitating the colicking horse. With aggressive nutritional support to help the horse re-establish a healthy GI tract, his chances of a faster and more complete recovery multiply greatly. GastroPLUS increases this crucial oxygenated blood flow to the gut by stimulating the body’s own production of the nitric oxide molecule. GastroPLUS also stimulates the body for formulate more mucus to coat and soothe the entire GI tract. This is not only necessary for comfort, but it plays an important role in digestion and absorption.

How We Address It

Dose GastroPLUS 3cc powder per 100# bodyweight twice daily as your veterinarian recommends. Most horses will only need 1 bottle, but if your veterinarian feels the colic was caused or aggravated by gastric or colonic ulcers, follow the ulcer dosing protocol listed for a minimum of 60 days.

If you can catch the colic within the first hour, double dose (6cc per 100lbs) every 20 minutes for 3 doses.  What We Observe

If the colic is caught early, usually the horse is back to normal after the 2nd or 3rd dose.  Idealy, the GastroPLUS is used instead of Ace or Banimine.

Using Giddy Up Go Electrolytes instead of water in the syringe with greatly enhance the effectiveness and speed of the horses recovery.