Whats Wrong with my horse???

Question

When my horse refuses food and water, looks around at her sides, paws the ground and tries to lay down often, whats wrong?

is it Impaction Colic or Spasmotic Colic or Twisted Gut

this is a howrse question so , please dont tell me totake him to the vet or be harsh to me about it ,

Answer 1

Colic

Answer 2

The only way to tell the difference between an impaction colic and a twisted gut is by ultrasound.  Generally any colic is treated by mineral oil through a nose tube - if it's impaction colic, it lubes the system and affords relief.  But I've seen several vets treat a twisted gut that way as well [ultrasound is not usually available without trailering the horse to a large-animal surgical capable facility and there are far too few of those around] - but unfortunately, because of the lube, it pushes the content of the gut along to the twist and puts so much pressure on the damaged intestine that it will burst [and kill the horse with an incredible amount of pain].

A spasmotic colic is when the horse is overstressed - a sedative helps them.

For the sake of the game - I would bet they're looking for twisted gut or impaction colic [the way to know the difference is how the incident started - impaction is generally a horse which wolfs its feed and gets uncomfortable shortly after fed - a twisted gut is more likely the culprit if the horse has been out playing/rolling or gotten stuck in an unnatural position or has a prior history of colic.]

Answer 3

I wouldn't have so much of a problem with Howrse if it wasn't so confusing/misleading.  The answer is any/all of the above.

Answer 4

its called stop asking howrse questions in this section!

Answer 5

give him some butamine paste and then call the vet if he doesn't relax within a couple hours

also walk her around

***edit!! OOOHHH haha it's a question from the game

geez i'm all worried you aren't going to call a vet and let your horse suffer gosh

bad bad not everyone is familiar with this "howrse" or whatever site it is sorry i'm not quite up to date

Answer 6

It sounds like your horse has colic. You can call the vet but they won't do much besides to say to take your horse out and walk them around until it stops trying to lay down. That is about all you can do.

Answer 7

These howrse games are so misleading.... I just hope the kids who play it don't take the things they read/hear on it to heart...

It is both.

Answer 8

It's a type of colic, but I don't know which one. All of those indicators you stated prove the horse is uncomfortable in the bowel region. All of the colics you stated would probably have very similar symptoms. Since this is a game and you don't have to pay vet bills. I suggest you pick the worst one: twisted gut. It's better to be afe than sorry especially when you don't have to actually pay the vet.

Answer 9

Any time a horse refuses food and water it is a red flag! Pawing the ground and trying to lay down is also another red flag. If you don't want to call your vet, you just may lose her. If she has an impaction, the vet can flush it through. This is nothing to play around with, or take lightly. Your horse needs help as soon as the vet can get there. Again, if you don't call the vet, be prepared for the worst. I can't stress this enough!

Answer 10

colic but im dont sure what kind

Answer 11

Impaction Colic...why couldn't you just look it up xP

Answer 12

This is just a list of colic signs.  There is absolutely no way to tell from this list of symptoms what type of colic the horse is suffering from.  

These symptoms definatly describe a horse that is colicing, and needs to be physically examined by a vet.  Only after a TPR, Rectal, UltraSound, Reflux, Blood Work, and Belly Tap can a DVM make a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for this horse.

ETA:  I agree with 'bribri' I really hope these young kids don't take what they are "taught" on howrse as full truth.  There are MANY MANY inacuracies on that game.  Because that's what it is, a game!

and bobae... what is butamine?  I'm sure you're combining the drugs Bute (phenylbutazone) and Banamine (Flunixin Meglumate).  But just FYI, if you're horse is ever colicing, Bute Paste is not a good choice.  It can cause more stomach discomfort than pain relief.  If you have nothing else, it can be an option.  An IV dose of Banamine is your best bet (1mL per 100lbs), or a past version of Banamine.  I would also like to discourage IM use of Banamine as it can be very dangerous.

Sorry... that's my soap box/PSA for the day!

Answer 13

impacttin colic

he needs 2 see a vet

Answer 14

Hmm - that's a toughie - I see this reference to Howrse all the time, but haven't a clue what it is.  What is it?

The right answer to this situation is that you have a horse in obvious digestive distress.  It should be seen by a vet as soon as possible and not given any further attempts at food or water.  It should be walked or lunged easily until either the vet arrives or it passes gas or defacates (goes poo).  One could administer a system calming drug like Banamine orally to try to relax the muscles in the abdomen and digestive system (that's like aspirin to humans).

I am unsure whether the question is posed as an essay answer or multiple choice, but I hope it helps.  What do you get if your answer is correct?

Answer 15

Impaction Collic!

I remember having to answer that question!