Chronic spasmodic colic management in a thoroughbred horse: A case report from Bangladesh

Equine colic refers to severe abdominal pain caused by gastrointestinal tract dysfunction. A clinical case of equine colic was reported from a riding school in the Chattogram coastal area of Bangladesh. The animal was a 10-year-old gelding thoroughbred horse with a body weight of 500 kg.

Visible clinical signs included anorexia, bruxism, restlessness with rolling side to side and pawing by the front leg on both sand and hard surfaces, dehydration, looking at the flank, abdominal distension, and increased intestinal motility detected via rectal palpation. The case was treated using intravenous fluids to rehydrate the animal. Tiemonium methyl-sulphate was administered twice intravenously to mitigate the intestinal spasm. Flunixin meglumine was administered for pain relief. Omeprazole and 7.5% sodium-bi-carbonate was administered twice intravenously to reduce the gastric lesion during colic. Secnidazole was administered empirically due to concerns about bacterial overgrowth. Finally, the symptoms of the animal completely resolved within 12 hours of treatment initiation.

The majority of colic cases can be effectively handled through proper management practices. This study has revealed that the affected horse started to respond to the treatment successfully after 12 hours. The major shortcomings of this study are the absence of radiography and ultrasound assessment due to resource constraints. Moreover, the case study was an in-depth analysis of a single case, and further studies are required to determine the possible interactions and outcomes of medication.