Conference noted::equitation

    Have you called the vet?  If he colicks so frequently, he may ve
    allergic to something in the grain.  I'd certainly stop switching
    his feed like your friend is doing without a vet's advice.  His
    call fee will be nothing to the pain your horse must experience.
    
    Keep us posted.

    Carol, I can not comment directly on your questions. I do have some
    questions:
    
    1. Has a vet looked at your horse? I would think that a horse that
    colics so often need to be looked at by a vet.
    
    2. Is your horse a hard keeper?
    
    3. How about his worming program? worms can cause a lot of damage.
    One of our horses colicked a lot during weather changes, but since
    we've been using IVERMECTIN wormer the problem has gone away. No
    colics for four years now (knock on wood!).
    
    I think that with the answers to those questions someone might give
    you some idea on how to help your horse. Hope he gets better!
    
    bobk
    

    There was a horse in my barn two years ago that suffered impaction
    colic chronically.  The vet put him on bran, a mash I think.  But,
    this horse was examined thoroughly beforehand.  As I recall, he
    was on 4 quarts bran/feeding 2x/day in addition to some grain. 
    What I can't remember is whether the bran mash contained grain --
    at a warm temperature -- or was mixed only with hot water.
    

    I've heard of problems when feeding cow feed (Golden Bulky in
    particular) to horses but never the other way around.  It does sound
    like you may be dealing with an alergy to something in the grain
    made for horses.  The additives for horse feeds are all very similar
    and may be what is causing your problem.  I would second the
    suggestions of calling the vet for this problem.  If you can't get
    an answer there, I'd start calling some vet schools like Tufts or
    Rochester clinic in New Hampsire.  We have a mare who is a chronic
    colic case who has gone through surgery (definately an unpleasant
    experience).   Since that time we have changed our feeding program
    to "free choice hay".  Our colic rate for this chronic case has
    gone to nil.  I also keep a 10cc syringe loaded just in case but
    I haven't had to use it for her in about 18 months.  By the way
    a horse who isn't being ridden lots will do just fine on a high
    quality hay with very little or no grain.  An added incentive is
    that it keeps the boredom and the grain bill down.  Good luck and
    keep us informed.
    
    Bob
    

Bob, I'd be interested in finding out what the 10cc syringe is loaded
with for colic cases.

Thanks,
Julie

    I'll add my $.02 worth, since I'm the former owner of a cronic colic
    case.
    
    First let me say that you made no mention of whether your horse
    is suffering from impaction or gas colic.  Gas colic is common among
    cribbers...although recent studies are now indicating that cribbers
    are not necessarily at a higher risk for colic.  A relentless cribber
    will ingest air even through cribbing collars.  My mare would clamp
    on to tree limbs in a pasture, anything, and I found no decrease
    in the incidence of colic while collared.  I even invested in a
    "mask" that allowed her to eat and drink "without the ability to
    crib".  She found out how to beat the system.
    
    My mare didn't suffer from gas colic, however.  She suffered from
    impaction.  The general theory was that it was due to scar tissue
    that that developed on the intestinal walls from previous cases of 
    colic.  I found that feeding bran mash *EVERY DAY* and a 1/4 cup
    of corn oil *EVERY DAY* reduced the cases of colic to once or twice
    a year.  A huge drop from the once every 2-3 weeks we endured
    previously.   I also learned to keep 10 cc of banamine in my fridge
    at all times. 
    
    Another suggestion would be to ensure that the horse isn't eating
    too fast.  I used to keep a large rock in my mare's feed bucket
    to slow her down.  Crimped oats helped too (she was worked hard
    daily) since she had to really chew before swallowing.
    
    *** WARNING *** If you start feeding bran mash, make sure to let
    it sit for 5-10 minutes after mixing it.  Bran expands once moistened
    and if feed to early will blow up in the stomach.
    
    Good luck!!!  Colic is a horrible thing to go through for both beast
    and owner.  I sympathize with your frustration.
    
    Ann

    
    
    Just a couple of thoughts....
    
    Vet check sounds like the place to start, in order to determine
    that what you're dealing w/is in fact gastro-intestinal and not
    something else (otherwise all this corn oi
    If all info points to gastro-intestinal then one thing to keep
    in mind is that excessive amount of bran has the ability to deplete
    a horses system of calcium and some trace minerals necessary to
    the system of calcium and other trace minerals.
    
    Good luck - I'm sympathetic having just gone thru a similar
    situation over the holidays.  holly

    
    
    I appologize for the "screwed up-ed-ness" of some of my
    messages but the editor randomly takes a line and deletes
    it (when I use the return - and when I don't!)  any help
    out there will be appreciated....
    
    The last note should have said "corn oil and bran will be
    in vain) etc...
    
    
                         holly - at dneast::butterman_ho
    

    Sorry about the omission of the contents of the 10cc syringe.  As
    Ann does, I use Banamine as a first measure.  What it doesn't correct
    in 15 minutes will result in an emergency call to the vet.  I use
    the same vet unless he is out of town or has someone covering for
    him because he knows the history of all my horses, a fact which
    cannot be understated.  Another one is that time is of the essence,
    and if I don't see some improvement in a reasonable time, I get
    help.  By the way, the Banamine is administered IM (intermuscular)
    and has no side effects that I can determine.  You should however,
    use this or any drug only under the supervision of a vet. 
    
    Bob
    

    
    
    And... for those of you who are not into giving injections
    Banamine now comes in paste form - from your vet and takes
    30 minutes+/- to work.  Either way it's an item we keep on
    hand - always and as Bob mentioned, should only be used under
    the supervision of a vet.  

    Hi!
    
    Just want to thank all of you for responding so quickly!!  This
    notes file is really something!
    
    To update you on what's happening:
    
    After reading all of your replies and re-reading everything I could
    find in EQUUS about colic and feeding, I decided to call my vet,
    Ernie Finocchio from New England Horse Care Center in R.I., to give
    Bourbon a thorough examination before we do any more feed changing.
    (Dr. Finocchio is also on the editorial board of EQUUS).  Until
    he tells us that we should change the feeding program, we are giving
    Bourbon 2 quarts of Respond a day (1 a.m., 1 p.m. feeding) plus
    all the hay he will eat (and crossing our fingers until the vet
    can see him).
    
    Will keep you posted.
    
    thanks again for your quick replies.  I'm overwhelmed at how useful
    this file is.
    
    
    
    Carol
    
    

    Colic scares me more than any other horse illness.  So often it
    has fatal results!
    
    Anyway, I don't think I would feed a 19-year-old anything other
    than hay, unless she is still being worked hard on a regular basis.
    Generally speaking (but not always), grain is the villain in colic
    cases.
    
    Bran is good insurance, if your horse will tolerate it.
    
    					=paul=

    Just wanted to update everyone on what's happening with my horse.
    
    He is now on 1 quart of Respond twice a day plus all the hay he
    will eat.  And I had a hard time convincing my friend who boards
    him that he really does not need more than that!! 
    
    Anyway, Dr Finocchio examined him on Saturday and discovered that
    Bourbon has icterus (jaundice).  The vet took a blood sample which
    will be back from the lab on Friday afternoon; he also told me not
    to ride Bourbon until the lab results are back and to keep watch
    on his mucous membranes to see if the jaundice abates or worsens
    over the course of the week.  Finocchio indicated that the colic
    may have been caused by the liver problem, but he wasn't really
    sure since he had not seen Bourbon during the colic attacks.  He
    also told me I was very lucky to still have Bourbon after the prolonged
    attack on Christmas day.  (Dr. Jay Merriam was the vet I called
    then; all he told me over the course of 7 hours was to keep giving
    Bourbon a pint of Milk o Magnesia every hour and call if he got
    worse; Dr. Merriam would not come to see my horse on Christmas even
    after the colic had continued for over 4 hours!!)
    
    I am now using Finocchio exclusively, regardless of the distance
    from Sherborn to N. Smithfiled , R.I., partly becaus of my experience
    with Merriam on Christmas and partlybecause of other people's
    experience with his unwillingnes to attend to their horses in similiar
    circumstances.
    
    Aside from the Jaundice, Bourbon is acting like his normal self:
    demanding hay, pushing the other 2 horses around from hay pile to
    hay pile, asking for carrots when I go to see him.  Finocchio also
    wormed him Saturday (he is tube wormed every 8 weeks, and has been
    for the last 2 years; from 1980-84 he was tube wormed 3-4 times
    a year; prior to 1980, I have no idea.  however, at almost 19 years,
    he may very well have worm damage to his intestines due to neglect
    in his earlier years).
    
    Now, I'm just crossing my fingers until the end of the week when
    the blood test results come back:  jaundice is a serious matter,
    and Finocchio is treating it as such, which I like on one hand but
    gives me butterfiles on the other.
    
    If anyone else has had experience with jaundice, I would very much
    appreciate hearing from you.
    
    
    will keep you posted.
    
    
    Carol
    

    re: .13
    Sounds like you may be on the right track, finally. It's an uphill
    climb. Good luck on the blood test.
    My Arab. colicked on us last August & had surgery, he was lucky
    that he made it through.
    
                                                 Steve
    
                                                

    Carol, I sympathize with your problem, but I'm afraid I have
    to put 2 cents in here about Jay Merriam.  This notes file is
    read by a lot of people, and I hate to see what I consider a
    marvelous vet being talked about in a negative way.  I have
    had Jay as my vet for 6 years -- he has NEVER not come when called.
    I started with Jay when he was associated with Ernie -- when Jay
    broke off from Ernie 99% of the people in this area stayed with
    him, and it wasn't because he was closer.  Jay has brought my
    horse through some very serious problems and has been a comfort,
    mentor, friend and life-saver to both Ki (my horse) and me.
    I realize you're angry about his  not coming Christmas, but as
    I said, this notes file is read by people that may be a potential
    client of his, and his reputation is important to me.  All I can
    say is that when I call Jay, if he's in this part of the country,
    he comes.  More importantly, my horse is alive today only because
    of Jay and for that reason alone, that man will always be special.
    
    Dawn

    
    To update the situation with my horse:
    
    the lab test came back and showed that his bilirubin count (how
    much bile is in his system) is up around 8 and it should be around
    2.  My vet says it could have been caused by the colic episodes
    or the liver may be diseased.  However, since Bourbon continues
    to act like himself, my vet wants to wait 3 more weeks and then
    do another blood test.  If the bilirubin is still elevated, then
    he will do a complete hepatatic workup.  And, of course, if I notice
    any change in Bourbon's behaviour or if jaundice gets worse or goes
    away, then I will call the vet.  He also said it would be ok to
    ride Bourbon as long as he continues to act as if he isn't ill;
    I found a clear stretch to ride him for about 20-30 minutes Saturday
    and he did not act as if he were sick at all!  He behaved just as
    obnoxiously as he normally does in the winter when I haven't been
    able to exercise him as frequently as I do in the good weather.
    
    So, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping things will work
    out ok.  The vet is scheduled to come again on Feb. 21 to do another
    blood test.  
    
    will keep you updated.
    
    
    Carol
    
    

    Hi!
    
    I own the colicky horse described in note 191.  He has just been
    diagnosed as having jaundice.  At the moment we are waiting until
    Feb 21 to do another blood test to check his bilirubin level.  If
    it is still elevated, my vet will do a complete hepatatic work-up
    to begin diagnosing the cause of the jaundice (icterus).
    
    Except for the jaundice, Bourbon is himself, as obnoxious and fresh
    as he always is in the winter.
    
    
    If anyone has had experience with jaundice (icterus) I would appreciate
    hearing about it.
    
    
    Carol
    
    

    I'm glad to hear Bourbon is doing better!  Please let us know what
    happens Feb. 21.
    
    I lost my favorite mare July 1 to tortion colic (the gut twists,
    in this case, 360 degrees).  We took her to the Marion DuPont Scott
    Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, VA -- about a two hour drive
    in the wee hours of the morning -- for surgery.  She pulled through
    the surgery, but died about 15 minutes after waking up.  The toxins
    from the dying cells in the untwisted gut had entered her bloodstream
    and killed her.  So far as I can get out of anyone, it was a judgement
    call by the surgeon, who has an excellent reputation.  Of course,
    I would prefer that he had cut off the involved section and reconnected
    the tissue; don't know if he could cut off 30 feet and still save
    the mare.
    
    As Bob Nickerson said, if Banamine doesn't work within 15-20 minutes,
    call the vet.  My vet would send me packing off to Leesburg or to
    New Bolton in Pa, if we have that much time.  Better to make a trip
    for nothing than to lose a horse -- believe me!!!
    
    Good luck!
    Merrie

    re: .17
    I know how you feel, nearly lost our gelding , spastic(sp) colic,
    he only half flipped his intestine, we were out of town & had to
    drive back to our vet at night, etc.. It was quite a night.
    We're glad he made it through & is doing great.
    
                                                     Steve_loves_his_Arab
    
    
    
    

    Well, my vet came on Saturday and took 2 more blood samples from
    Bourbon.  The results came back today and indicate that he is slightly
    anemic and that is what is causing the jaundice. (my vet tested
    the bilirubin again and also the red blood cell count. the combination
    of results from the 2 test indicates the anemia).  So, Bourbon will
    be getting Brytin vitamins everyday and in another 6 weeks we will
    repeat the blood tests to verify that the slight anemia is indeed
    his problem.  
    
    Thank you all for your responses and concern.  They've meant a lot.
    
    Carol

    re: .19
    Carol, boy, what a long bout this is. Glad to hear that things are
    progressing(sp). Take care.
    
                                                      Steve
    
    
    
    

    Can anyone tell me where I can buy Oil of Turpentine?  The Vet
    suggested mixing one ounce of the Oil with one gallon of mineral
    oil (for colic).  The pharmacist had heard of it but didn't have
    any.  She suggested a health food store or vitamin place.
    
    

    
    I had a farrier recommend using oil of turpentine in a hoof 
    dressing mixture once.  One of the other boarders loacated some
    (I opted for buying a premixed dressing that contained it).  I
    think she found it thru a friend she knew on the track (not much
    help I know!)  
    
    If you don't have a track contack, perhaps on of those mail away
    veteranary supply places would have it.  I don't know what else
    the stuff is used for, but a hardware store might also have it.
    
    Dani
     

    Hello out there!
    
    Just to update all the kind people who responded to my S.O.S. last
    winter.
    
    Bourbon is doing fine.  We have not had any more colic attacks (knock
    on wood), he still has a yellow tint to his mucous membranes, but
    he is full of himself and does not know that he is 19 1/2.
    
    Our vet has done several blood workups to try to diagnose the cause
    of the yellow tint, but can find no evidence of obvious liver damage.
    Since Bourbon feels so good we are just keeping an eye on the yellow
    to see if it gets worse (or better).  He is now on 8 pounds of feed
    per day (3 lbs Respond, 2 lbs Omelene 100, 2 lbs whole corn, 1 lb
    alfalfa pellets) plus 10 oz of corn oil per day.  He is doing well,
    and feeling good especially with the cool weather here!
    
    Again, thanks to all the people who responded to my plea.  They
    meant a lot.
    
    Carol

    Glad to hear the horse is doing fine now, and I guess this reply
    is a little late but some info on colic.
    
    First off, I wouldn't use a feed intended for cows on a horse, their
    digestive system is totally different. Many cow feeds contain
    antibiotics which will kill off the gut bacteria in a horse and
    cause impaction, tetracycline is one of them.
    
    An excellent reference on feeding your horse is "Horse Nutrition"
    written by Dr. Harold Hintz who is considered a leading expert in
    the field and is a professor at Cornell. He also does seminars on
    the subject at Colorado State.
    
    It is a known fact that a horse with parasites is prone to colic,
    one of the things that a vet will do with a colic case is to take
    a fecal sample and check for worms (large strongiles destroy the
    gut tissue). A worming every 8 weeks does wonders to help this.
    Depending upon the type of wormer used you may want to rotate the
    type (active ingredient not just brand). I use a pyrental pamoate
    based wormer called Imathol, I buy it by the quart from the vet,
    a 2 oz dose normal for a 1000 lb horse and the parasites are not
    resistant to this as they are to other types, which is the reason
    to rotate the type. The pyrental pamoate based wormer is safe to
    use on foals and pregnant mares. A paste version of this is Strongid.
    One of the 6 wormings per year I use Ivermectin on the horses over
    2 years old.
    
    What is in that syringe is usually an intestinal tranq (Novin or
    similar brand) if the gut is too active. This is because when a
    horse is in distress the gut activity increases and with rolling
    or just excessive gut activity it can twist and cut off the blood
    supply to sections of the gut, then immediate surgery is necessary.
    They also give Bute (Phenylbutazone) which is an anti-inflamitory
    agent. Inflamed tissue restricts circulation and the blood is the
    way mother nature has to remove toxins from the tissue and promote
    healing.
    
    If warrented the horse is tubed (don't try this yourself you could
    end up in the lung). A tube is run from the nostril to the stomach
    and warm water is put into the stomach and siphoned out, if as much
    comes out as goes in you may have an impaction. This requires surgery
    in many cases. Then they add about a gallon of mineral oil directly
    into the stomach thru the tube, this may sound like a lot but the
    gut capacity is 60 to 75 gallons. This will coat the gut to stop
    the passage of toxins into the blood. It also makes a messy stall
    the next day or so.
    
    The vet will vary form the above as symptoms warrent and it is very
    frustrating the first time you go thru it with your horse. Some
    horses do everything wrong and never colic, others may do everything
    right and colic a lot, it depends on the horse.
    
    If your horse seems distressed chews at his side has an elevated
    pulse (40 at rest is considered normal above 60 is elevated) call
    the vet and don't let the horse roll, walking him is optional it
    may keep his mind off rolling. A horse will roll in the dirt to
    scratch themself and if active the pulse will be above 60, keep
    this in mind when checking him, every horse is an individual.
    The pulse can be felt at the bottom of the cannon bone beside the
    tendon or under the jaw bone on the inside where the bone rounds.
    A stethescope can be used behind the front leg on the lower ribs.
    
    Preventative measures are the best bet, Good feed, regular worming
    and exercise is all that is needed and hopefully you and your horse
    never have to go thru a bout of colic.
    
    Good luck
    John Perkins
    Dancing Horse Farm
    

    Carole,
    
    I know it's a long time ago, but what happened to your horse with
    jaundice?  My pony has just been diagnosed as having possible liver
    damage, and his bilrubin levels are up.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Helen.

reply to < Note 206.1 by CHEFS::GOUGH >
                               -< What happened >-

Carol left DEC last winter.

Read notes 191.* where Carol wrote several follow-ups about the jaundice.
(Bourbon did get better.)

    
    
    
    	W ehave been trying to move our horses to a pasture that has a logt
    of grass, but they have been in pen that has none - last night - they
    were in the grass ten minutes (I timed it ) and one mare colic'd.
    
       She's fine but, what is the best was to introduce them to the grass?
    
    Also, the barn manager was upset because i had my husband ride her bare
    back in the ring instead of walking her.. 
    
    	Has anyone heard one way or the other is it better to walk them by
    hand or just to hop on and ride them?
    
    	Thanks.. 
    	Donna

    Donna,
    
    I should think that riding a colicky horse to keep it moving would be
    a pretty dangerous thing to do...what if the horse suddenly drops and
    rolls?  And as Im sure you know, a colicking horse does not just
    roll nicely, they thrash about. Wanna be under a horse when that
    happens? And entirely unneccessary...why would you want to ride rather 
    than walk anyway? And unfair to the poor horse...she is in pain, why
    bother her with the weight and annoyance of a rider?  Bad idea, IMO.
      

    
    
    
    
    	I really was asking if anyone had a colic horse that what
    	a vet told them to do.. 
    
    	I know that walking is one option, I wouldn't think long lining
    	would be an option, because you would be walking a horse in circle.
    
    	The vet gave us a receipe with ginger and baking soda in it to be
    given every 15 minutes, worked like charm.
    
    	any ideas on the grass.. ?
    
    	thanks.. Donna
    

	Would you mind posting the ginger and baking soda receipe?
	Sounds really interesting! 

	Thanks,
	-julie

    
    
    It's at home but, I will remember to bring it wednesday.  
    
    	It was also published in EQUUS last month.. 
    
    Donna

    I believe it's 4 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon ginger.
    
    Linda

>>    I believe it's 4 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon ginger.
    
    Added to some amount of water?

    -j

    Yes, added to water.

  There are also questions about walking a colicing horse...  It really
  depends on the type of colic the horse is suffering from.   Walking appears 
  to help a horse with gas colic, but other kinds... (twists, impactions, etc)

  I'd 'listen' to the horse... if they didn't want to walk quietly, I wouldn't
  encourage them.  

					-Caroline

    	Speaking from experience, impaction colics should NOT be walked.
    	Walking can do more harm than good.
    
    	Sherry
    

    
    
    
    	after 3 weeks out in the grass the same mare decided to colic again
    over the weekend.  This mare has never been sick in her life and she
    has coliced twice in the matter of two months.
    
    	The Vet came out and said she a gas blockage and gave her banamine 
    	and she was fine in about 10 mintues.. (I am getting some of that
    stuff to keep on hand)
    
    I am thinking of backing her grain off, she currently is getting 10 qts
    a day the same amount she got when she didn't have any grass.  
    
    She is a big mare around 16'2 and when I have backed grainaway from
    here before she slimed down fast. but, she didn't have any grass at the
    time.  My husband hasn't been riding her that much so I think that is a
    viable to cut her grain down.
    
    The vet said it was probably caused from her not coming into get water
    and the grass caused a gas bubble. So cutting her grain down might
    not help at all .. 
    
    	Any suggestions ?  I hate colicy horses.. it so scary.  
    
    
    	Thanks in advance.. 
    
    	Donna

>>    She is a big mare around 16'2 and when I have backed grainaway from
>>    here before she slimed down fast. but, she didn't have any grass at the

	Beet pulp is very good for putting/keeping on weight without
	adding energy, if you do decide to cut down on her grain. I don't
	know if it also has properties similar to bran mash, with regard
	to keeping the gut moving - someone else might - but you do mix it
	with hot water, and horses enjoy "slurping" it up.

      -julie

    Did you ask the vet what and how much he recommend you feed?  Another
    good way to maintain weight should you decide to cut her grain (10
    qts a day is a lot) is by adding corn oil to her feed.
    

    
    
    	Well I called the vet - he wants me to give her 1 1/2 qts of oats
    plus 1 1/2 qts bran with two tablespoons of salt 3 times a week.
    
    	and wormed every 6 weeks on regular basis. and double up on
    strongid every other time.. 
    
    	Donna

    
    	Hi, Well, I just went through a bout of colic, and I'm not sure if
    we are out of the woods yet. My horse just spent 1 1/2 weeks at Tufts
    then 1 week at Rochester. I'll speak off-line to anyone on these
    hospitals.
    
    	Anyway, it was a horrible month for me and my horse. She did not 
    need surgery. It was decided that it was enteritus at first which
    caused an impaction. She did reflux quite a bit of fluid before going
    to Tufts that is why she needed to go to get 24 hour care, she needed
    fluids ect... After 1/2 week she seemed fine and they let her come
    home. She colic'd that night, I called and they suggested putting her
    on Cimtidine(sp?) a ulser medication. She colic'd again the next day
    got the vet to come ect... We tood her back to Tufts to stablize and 
    they wanted to X-ray to see if there was a stone, and to scope her
    stomach for ulsers...... no stone and no ulser however they found
    a small erosion on her stomach wall so they decided to keep her on
    Cinetidine and Carafate. 
    
    	They kept her for a week, I went to see her towards the end of the
    week and thought she didn't look happy, but who would under those 
    conditions. She came home on saturday, and colic'd sunday!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    	By this time I have a different local vet... long story. I called
    him. He didn't want to give banamine because of the ulser medications,
    so he gave her a different kind,,, sorry the name I cannot remember. 
    Anyway she got better and we were giving her oil'd bran mashes and hay
    at this time. The vet by mid-week said to get her off the oil as she
    would get nutrition with so much oil. besides she was sick of them but
    not colicing. 
    
    	Next Sunday,,,,, colic's again. I'll try and cut this as I know its
    a long story. Anyway vet came out twice, the first time he just gave
    a pain killer again, as banamine was not recomended for her because of
    the other medication. She did not respond.... When he came again she
    refluxed again she was about in the same condition as before Tufts...
    .........
    	She went to Rochester.... they took her off the medications.... she
    didn't need them..... Carafate might even have been contributing to the
    colic as it binds to anything in the stomache, I wasn't told, I was
    told to give it to her 4 times a day..... there is no way her stomach
    was empty. I found out from Rochester that Carafate has to be given on
    and empty stomach, I gave it to her on a full stomach most of the time!
    
    	I am writting this in hopes that it may prevent this from happening
    to you. I *should have asked more about the medications.... but then
    again they should have told me........The bottom line is it was
    determined that she really didn't need them.
    
    	Well, she is now home off all medication, she is eating about 2
    quart of trotter, 1/2 quart sweetened crimped oats, down from her
    normal 4 quarts 1/2 quart sweet feed and a small bran mash at noon time
    with 2 tablespoons of baking soda in it, and molasses. Also lots of
    fresh water, she doesn't like to drink a lot of water, so we also put
    electrolytes in her feed, she seems to be drinking more water now too.
    
    	Although she did colic mildly this weekend, I gave the banamine and
    she was fine in 1/2 hour. I hold my breath everytime I go out to the
    barn in the morning...... 
    
    	Oh yeah also, she is on a more strict worming schedule,,, although
    she was on a rotating 8 week schedule, strongid double only once in it
    she is now going on a monthly rotating, plus strongid c daily. I will 
    revisit this with my vet as it seems like a lot.
    
    	One question I have is I have noticed since this has all happened
    is blood in the urine... they did a urine test at Rochester and it was
    normal.... I wonder if it may be from the colic's wounds...I'm not real
    sure it is in the urine, as I've watched her urine and I can't see
    anything! Has anyone else experienced this. This does worry me. If it
    continues I will tell my vet again, he said it if just happened once
    not to worry, but it's happened a few times now!!
    
    	Well, everyone who I have talked to here at Dec thanks for pulling
    for Shoshoni,,, Appaloosa mare, 10 years old, and she is a sweetheart!
    
    	Becky
     

    I've been through this too, My horse was at Tufts with Enteritis for a
    week and a half a few years ago. She got sick the next year with
    similar symptoms and gallons of refluxing, she quickly dehydrated
    and the vet didn't hold out much hope. There was no way I could afford
    to send her to Tufts again, she's not a young horse and I couldn't see
    it.  The vet let me give her all the intravinis, I was up all night
    changing bags of it, the next day she looked much better.  She
    recovered very quickly compared to the first time, I recognised the
    problem and called the vet in immediately.  She never acted in pain,
    just sluggish and off her feed.
    
    I can remember a red sediment in her urine, it really had me worried.
    I decided it had to do with the medicines and diet. It later turned
    into a more yellow sediment.
    
    Sharon