TREATMENT OF COLIC.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18500, 22 February 1930, Page 14 (Supplement)

TREATMENT OF COLIC.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS. There are two kinds of colic—spasmodic and tympanitic. In the first there is spasm of the small intestine without any external manifestation, except symptoms of pain; whereas in . the second, in addition to the pain, . the belly is greatly distended, and this , distension is due to the generation of gas from indigestion, or to the animal (if a horse), swallowing air, as in cribbiting or wind-sucking. In spasmodic colic the attack is sudden, the horse all at once exhibiting uneasiness in pawing, stamping with the hind feet, or striking with them at the belly, looking anxiously round toward the flank, crouching, switching the tail, throwing himself down, groaning, rolling over on its back, and, if the pain is very acute, appearing distressed and perspiring. In a few minutes the spasm passes off. the horses or ox appeal’s easy for a longer or shorter period, when there is a lapse, and similar symptoms are again exhibited. Neither the breathing nor pulse are disturbed, except during the spasm. Rubbing the belly well, applying j warmth to it by means of a blanket or hot water, or a stimulating liniment, ' exercise at a slow or fast pace, the administering of a stimulant—as alco- 1 hoi or an anodyne—as laudanun, usually relieves the animal. It may be j necessary to administer a mild castor j oil or linseed oil purgative, when the | spasm depends Upon some irritation in ! the intestine, and to give enemas. In tympanitic of flatulent colic, the symptoms are similar, and there is more or less distension of the belly, ' with, perhaps, nausea and laboured i breathing, as well as stupor when the j distension is great. If the tympany is due to crib-biting or wind-sucking, rubbing the belly very hard and giving exercise will often afford relief. If it does not. or if the 1 attack proceeds from indigestion, then : a strong stimulant dose must be given, : with an oil or other pugative—the : treatment being something the same ' as in spasmodic colic. 7 In attacks of colic—whether spas- ) modic or flatulent—if the symptoms do 1 not disappear in the course of an hour 7 or two, the veterinary surgeon should 1 be sent for, as serious consequences may ■ follow. t ———.