Horse Health

Colic

In colic cases, pain is due to:

  • Stretching of the abdomen (caused by food, fluid or gas accumulation)
  • Tension, for example in the case of a mass such as an abdominal lipoma or abscess, where its weight pulls down on the intestine
  • Ischemic damage of the gastrointestinal tract, where the affected tissue has its blood supply removed and is starved of oxygen

These stimuli can combine to produce mild to very severe pain depending on the type and duration of colic involved.