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Discussion on Colic Mystery Solved - But Too Late
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Brenda Dammann
| | Posted on Friday, Jun 23, 2000 - 11:12 am: |   |
Hi Dr. O -
I wrote a couple times earlier this year about my horse, Poncho, who was becoming a cronic colic horse. He was an 11-year-old Paso Fino gelding (and a GREAT horse) who was finally put down last Sunday morning after horrible suffering during his last colic.
I am writing because you and the other readers may find his final diagnosis very interesting. Certainly I would like to know if anyone's ever seen this before.
In October of 1998, Poncho was diagnosed with ulcers, which were successfully treated after suffering five colic episodes. In January of this year, the episodes started again. A chronic colic exam at the university revealed nothing. So we were left with a big question mark.
We put Poncho on a low-pellet, high-hay diet with added oil. Poncho did much better, colicking twice after that, but was very treatable. Over the last couple months I was able to bring him back to full strength and fitness.
However last week, the Mother of All Colics began. No pain killer, no sedative would touch this. He would seem to recover for short periods, only to go back downhill again. At 2am Sunday morning we finally shipped him to a surgical clinic in Brandon, Fl.
All his bloodwork and vitals seemed to indicate that the bowel was fine, and that we were probably dealing with an entrolith. However, the high cost of surgery, his chronic history, and my fears about the strain on his mind (which had begun to show as of late) prompted me to make the ultimate decision to end his suffering.
It was a devastating experience, but I want to share the ultimate resolution. The vet performed an autopsy which revealed something that completely surprised her, and totally validated the decision I had made.
She found a 1cm "ring" of scar tissue around the outside of a section of his small intestine... caused by who knows what. Several feet of impaction was backed up in front of it. The adhesion was so thick it had closed off 40% of his intestine, making it the critical point of his digestive system. Apparently digestive mass had somehow managed to pass through in his previous colics, but this time it had completely backed up.
Finding this, the vet said that Poncho would have been at high risk due to the location and nature of the problem. Indeed, if he had formed THIS kind of scar tissue on his own, a man-made scar from a bowl resection would probably have resulted in a similar growth or worse.
So, after two years, I finally had my answer. Which leads to more questions - which came first, the adhesion or the ulcers? Was the adhesion even THERE during the first ulcer diagnosis? What could have caused the scar tissue growth to form in such a perfect ring around his intestine?
Like I said, I am writing this to give myself some closure. To let you all know what the final piece of the puzzle turned out to be, since I'm sure we don't always have the opportunity to get to the bottom of these colic mysteries. And to see if any of you have ever seen this or have any ideas about it.
Thank you for such a wonderful website. I have spent HOURS here researching everything I could about my horse's situation, which in the end was unfixable.
In Poncho's Memory,
Brenda. |
Christine C. Mills
| | Posted on Friday, Jun 23, 2000 - 2:01 pm: | |
Brenda,
Thanks for having the strength to share your sad experience.
I am sorry for your loss of Poncho. And, I am glad he is out of pain.
As horse people, there is no more difficult thing we do than help our beloved horses to the next world when they can no longer live enjoyably in this one.
Poncho would be proud of you. I hope there is a "Rainbow Bridge" and he is waiting patiently for you there.
Peace.
Chris |
Jacki Free
| | Posted on Friday, Jun 23, 2000 - 10:17 pm: | |
Brenda,
I would like to extend my deepest heartfelt sympathy to you in your loss of Poncho. Although the cause and circumstances were somewhat different, I too, have faced such a decision and loss. Treasure the memories; and know that you did all you could for Poncho. No doubt Poncho knew of, and felt your devotion. Jacki |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
| | Posted on Saturday, Jun 24, 2000 - 8:58 am: | |
Our deepest condolences and thanks for sharing your experiences.
DrO |
Emily French
| | Posted on Saturday, Jun 24, 2000 - 2:51 pm: | |
Brenda-
Allways know that you gave him the best. I feel
one of the greatest things you can do is to have
the strength to end their suffering. It takes a
great commitment, I applaud you and understand
your loss.
-Emily |
Steven C. Jenkins
| | Posted on Saturday, Jun 24, 2000 - 6:28 pm: | |
Brenda, sorry about you loss. I know it must be tough.
Dr. O, any ideas on how or why? |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
| | Posted on Sunday, Jun 25, 2000 - 8:31 am: | |
I can only conjecture. I suspect there was a circumferential injury to the mucosa (inner lining) of the intestine, possibly the ulceration. It granulated in and as it healed creating a scar that then began to contract.
DrO |
Brenda Dammann
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 26, 2000 - 10:16 am: | |
So then the ulcers could have been the culprit? That would make sense. The original scope of the ulcers was only of the stomach, of course. I didn't really realize the small intestine could also ulcerate.
The very first ulcer-related episodes occurred after a mare was introduced into the pasture, which only housed Poncho and another old gelding. Poncho immedately bonded with her (no, he's not proud cut. Been there!) When she went into heat a week later, both of them just became intolerable in their behavior, and the barn FINALLY separated them. Poncho colicked the first time that night. It's upsetting, because I know that mixing mares and geldings is not a good idea to begin with...I should have said something right away! Maybe this was all preventable...
Brenda |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2000 - 7:47 am: | |
I don't think that the scenrio is likely. More Though we object to how horses act with each other they are fine with it up to the point a leg is broken. More likely the separation changed the management resulting in the colic.
DrO |
Karen Rempel (Karena)
| | Posted on Thursday, Dec 6, 2001 - 3:10 pm: | |
Two nights ago I lost my much loved 12 year gelding to an severe case of "colic". We have no idea why it happened or even what it was. Ben had had a mild case of colic on Saturday pm and our vet was called, did the examination and thought that whatever it was, Ben had recovered from it. On Tuesday pm around 7 the colic began again and again we called our vet who is a very experienced and highly regarded horse veterinarian who came on the run. Pain killers were given but there was little or no effect. A rectal indicated no blockages in the lower intestine and Ben passed some normal looking manure. However, by 9:30 pm we made the decision to euthanize Ben as the pain was too great in spite of significant doses of pain killers. The vet commented that he had never experienced such a rapid and unrelenting attack. There was no time to get Ben into surgery. We did not do an autopsy so can only guess (and hope) that whatever the cause the outcome was beyond our control. I can't even ask a question that would be helpful or add to the information on colic. I guess like others who have experienced this type of loss, I'm just trying to find some comfort. I'm so sorry Ben...Thanks for listening folks. |
Elizabeth Donahue (Paul303)
| | Posted on Thursday, Dec 6, 2001 - 8:25 pm: | |
So sorry Karen. Sometimes there is just nothing you can do. I lost my sweet Tonto on May 6, 2000. It wasn't as bad as your Ben, since Tonto was 38. We had him since 1970, and although he had NO molars, he was in robust health and ridden often and regularly. His colic hit suddenly that morning, and he was rushed to New Bolton. They kept him fairly comfortable, but the signs weren't good ( at his age, surgery was not an option ). He was euthanized at about 1:00 PM. We had a necropsy done, and two large lipomas ( fatty tissue tumors ) had formed and strangulated his intestine. Nothing could have been done. Our comfort came from the fact that when he needed us, we were there and ready to make the right decision - to make sure that his suffering was short. The only way to get through these things is to dwell on all the wonderful times you were lucky enough to have with him and if possible, start thinking about your next horse...for that is the greatest honor you could pay Ben....acknowledging the fact that life is empty indeed without that equine bond. Ben taught you that. |
Suzanne Moore (Suzym)
| | Posted on Friday, Dec 7, 2001 - 12:17 am: | |
My most sincere condolences to you all.
Suzy |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Friday, Dec 7, 2001 - 7:32 am: | |
My condolences Karen.
DrO |
Christine C. Mills (Chrism)
| | Posted on Friday, Dec 7, 2001 - 11:59 am: | |
Karen, I am sad for your loss. I hope you have many happy memories to help you through it. Wishing you much better days.
Elizabeth, Tonto's story is remarkable. When you have time, it would be an interesting post to read about him and how you cared for him in his old age, sans molars, etc.
Regards to both of you.
Chris |
Karen Blan (Starzmom)
| | Posted on Friday, Dec 7, 2001 - 11:46 pm: | |
My condolences to all who have lost a loved one to colic.
A year ago this coming Sunday I was going through this with a friend. It is interesting from reading the very first post...parts are so similar.
Last year we had a terrible drought and an unusually cold winter. Bubba did not like to drink cold water and the hay was very short and fine due to the drought. The two were a disasterous combination. My friends eleven year old daughter found Bubba writhing in pain in the pasture. He had made a hole from rolling to try to ease his excruciating pain. We walked him and gave him Banamine, than had to move on to stronger pain killers, refluxed green bile. The first vet pronounced it a mild stomache ache and left.
I had been through colic surgery the year prior with my own mare and knew in my gut this was not a mild case. We were finally able to reach our regular vet who immediately rushed out. He knew within minutes that it was surgical. We rushed eighty miles an hour down the interstate to the hospital...I was behind the trailer and could see Bubba rearing in pain. He was such a smart,mild mannered horse that he had to truly have been suffering.
The vet was kind enough to let me stand on a stool behind him and watch the entire surgery. It was an obstruction of the small intestine and a twist of the illeum(it's been a year so I hope I got this part right). The obstruction was hay..so hard it was like concrete. He did not want to perform a resection so manually moved the matter through the entire small intestine....a long and tedious process. He survived surgery, but did not recover well and had to be put to sleep late the next day.
The surgeon found scar tissue during the surgery. We have always wondered what part this played in his colic. Bubba had never colicked to our knowledge and he was eighteen. He was wormed regularly. It is so terrible to loose a horse...particularly this time of year. We still miss him terribly. |
Karen Blan (Starzmom)
| | Posted on Friday, Dec 7, 2001 - 11:50 pm: | |
My condolences to all who have lost a loved one to colic.
A year ago this coming Sunday I was going through this with a friend. It is interesting from reading the very first post...parts are so similar.
Last year we had a terrible drought and an unusually cold winter. Bubba did not like to drink cold water and the hay was very short and fine due to the drought. The two were a disasterous combination. My friends eleven year old daughter found Bubba writhing in pain in the pasture. He had made a hole from rolling to try to ease his excruciating pain. We walked him and gave him Banamine, than had to move on to stronger pain killers, refluxed green bile. The first vet pronounced it a mild stomache ache and left.
I had been through colic surgery the year prior with my own mare and knew in my gut this was not a mild case. We were finally able to reach our regular vet who immediately rushed out. He knew within minutes that it was surgical. We rushed eighty miles an hour down the interstate to the hospital...I was behind the trailer and could see Bubba rearing in pain. He was such a smart,mild mannered horse that he had to truly have been suffering.
The vet was kind enough to let me stand on a stool behind him and watch the entire surgery. It was an obstruction of the small intestine and a twist of the illeum(it's been a year so I hope I got this part right). The obstruction was hay..so hard it was like concrete. He did not want to perform a resection so manually moved the matter through the entire small intestine....a long and tedious process. He survived surgery, but did not recover well and had to be put to sleep late the next day.
The surgeon found scar tissue during the surgery. We have always wondered what part this played in his colic. Bubba had never colicked to our knowledge and he was eighteen. He was wormed regularly. It is so terrible to loose a horse...particularly this time of year. We still miss him terribly. |
Elizabeth Donahue (Paul303)
| | Posted on Saturday, Dec 8, 2001 - 3:13 am: | |
Thank you for asking, Chris. Tonto was really quite a little guy. Unbeknownst to me, he was scheduled to go to slaughter with a bunch of others when we happened upon him. He was 8 yrs. old, mal-nourished, stunted, barn-sour, no mouth,and terrified of everything......but my 5 yr. old niece fell in love with him on sight....so we bought him ( $150. ). My niece wanted to show him - I tried to explain that ( in those days ) a pinto was not looked upon kindly in the show ring - but she insisted. Long story short - she worked her little butt off to prove everyone wrong. Along the way she learned many of life's lessons in the show ring - snobbery, predjudice, injustice. She also learned to enter only performance classes and to practice until she and Tonto could outperform the best. He did English Pleasure, Hunter Over Fences, English Trail, English Horsemanship, and Hunt Course. For fun, he did gymkhana and playdays. We took long trail rides for relaxation and taught him tricks like "give me your paw" and bow and smile for mental stimulation.
In 1980, he did double duty and became a nanny for my 4 month old filly who had to be weaned early. She was 20 when he died, and was inconsolable for nearly a year.
Throughout his life, he was also my lesson horse. And all those who learned to ride on Tonto adored him.
He was never lame ( tho he did forge and needed his back toes rolled....this meant we had to be perfect on his shoeing ). He colicked once, in 1975, when he got into a bunch of green apples. He used to cough 3 times at the beginning of warm-up...every time. He was sensitive to that old sprinkle- on-the-feed bot wormer ( I think it was blue ). He would develope sores in his mouth and throat and go off feed sometimes for weeks - until we stupid humans wised up and quit worming him for bots. Thank heaven ivermectin came along. 'Til then, we did manure samples and learned about minimizing his risk to the nth degree.
He stood 14.1 hh and people called him the "carousel horse". Yet he was short-coupled, with a strong back, and carried all kinds of children and people. My niece grew up and went to college ( Findlay - Equestrian, and now is a professional showing QH and Paint all over the US and Canada ). By the nineties, when he was about 30, we stopped all fence work. His long, sloping pasterns were getting slightly arthritic in the rear.
Around ninety-five, he began going off his feed. We switched to Purina Senior and he did fine. However, the odd molar would be found occasionally on his stall floor. Eventually, they all did. When the vet was floating teeth one day, she stuck her arm up Tonto's mouth and pronounced him "smooth as a baby's ***". Of course, he'd been rolling cigars with his hay for some time - and I think that there were times that he went off his feed due to loose molars. When he wouldn't eat, we would chop carrots and apples and change feeds slowly. Eventually he would start. There was one time - I think he was 36, he went way down in weight. He had stopped eating again, and a new mare had come to our barn. We put her with Tonto because we felt he was so weak he couldn't harm her. Well, he didn't harm her, but he fell madly in love. He ran the rest of his weight off chasing the geldings on the other side of the fence away. Mind you, by this time he was deaf as a doornail.
We switched him to Kwik, and added Focus Weight and began soaking his food. That Focus was the only supplement he had. It worked and in about 4 months he was round and shiney again. Most of the thirty years I owned him, he had access to good pasture. In the winter, when he could no longer eat hay, we broke up and soaked alfalfa cubes. I also spent an inordinate amount of time chewing up carrots and spitting them in his bucket. He never stopped eating again after we switched him to kwick and soaked it. I used to clean his incisors gently about every 6 months. I used plyers and a flathead screwdriver and a nail brush - he always put down a huge amount of tarter and his gums would get tender if I didn't do it. He always managed to graze even though the length and angle of his incisors was horrendous by 34 or 35. I don't know how much he swallowed, but he managed to get something out of it because his manure always turned green.
I think that the main thing about an old horse is that, if possible, ride, ride, ride or exercise, exercise, exercise. It seems to keep their minds sharp, their joints lubricated, their systems functioning, and their endorphins flowing. Too many times, old horses get left behind out of "kindness". We must remember, they are herd animals. Their herd is either other horses or it is you. Old horses that can't be ridden, can be walked on the trail with halter and lead - just for some "attention" time and a change of scenery. I do that with youngsters also, so that once they are ridable the trails are already "old hat". Also, while you walk, review old ground training - it seems to be pleasurable to them to have a "job", and it's good for your own skills also.
Chris, you were not the only one interested. New Bolton did an extensive necropsy to study an older horse. My other niece is an equine vet specializing in COPD and she requested lung tissue samples to satisfy her own curiousity about Tonto's 3 coughs on warm-up. The report began: "Aged pinto (38) in exceptional health..." They found minimal arthritic changes and minimal tissue damage in the lungs. All the other stats were remarkable within reason for a horse his age. I decided however, that they must have been BLIND, due to the fact that they failed to notice that his heart was made of gold. |
Melissa Webster (Mwebster)
| | Posted on Saturday, Dec 8, 2001 - 10:33 am: | |
Elizabeth, what a wonderful story! What great care you gave. I am sure I will be turning to your post again in the future for help and inspiration. Thank you!
Melissa |
Julie Masner (Juliem)
| | Posted on Saturday, Dec 8, 2001 - 12:50 pm: | |
Elizabeth, what a great post. If only every old horse had a gaurdian angel like you to care for them! Julie |
ANN COLLIER (Dres)
| | Posted on Sunday, Dec 9, 2001 - 3:42 pm: | |
to all those that have lost their friend my deepest sympathies..
to elizabeth.. thank you for your story ,, the heart of gold brought tears to my eyes..
dres |
Mary E Adams (Ntucket)
| | Posted on Monday, Dec 10, 2001 - 11:33 am: | |
Karen, my deepest condolences on your loss, colic losses take so much out of everyone before and after the decision is made.
Elizabeth,
Loved the story and like Ann, you got me good on the heart of gold closing. You should write for Hallmark Hall of Fame.
Mary |
Jordana Meisner (Presario)
| | Posted on Wednesday, Dec 12, 2001 - 10:52 am: | |
Yes Elizabeth, you got me on the gold too! *sniff* What a great story. If you haven't already, you need to save that for future use. |
TONI
Member
Username: Tonijo
Post Number: 8
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, Dec 28, 2002 - 12:33 pm: | |
Dr. O,
I see that my stuff was moved how do I get to you on the info we have been corresponding with on my horse Sierra w/ the Granulosa tumor complications?
I replied via email from your last response to me on the 18th so hopefully you will beable to help here or there.
thanks
Toni |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7503
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 - 8:57 am: | |
I did a search on your name and your post is stil in this section. I don't believe we have moved it. You will find it at » Equine Diseases » Colic and GI Diseases » Colic in Horses » Large Colon Torsion, Displacement, and Cecal Intusseption » Granulosa Cell Tumor.
DrO |
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